Bristol, Conn. — Joe Buck is set to make his return to nationally televised baseball this opening day, calling his first game since 2021.
On March 27 at 3 p.m. EST, Buck will be in the announcer’s booth for ESPN as the New York Yankees take on the Milwaukee Brewers.
Buck held the role of lead MLB announcer for Fox Sports from 1996 until 2021, during which he called 24 World Series. He transitioned to ESPN in 2022, initially focusing on “Monday Night Football.”
In addition to Buck, the booth will feature YES Network analyst Joe Girardi and Brewers analyst Bill Schroeder, both of whom Buck considers close friends and respected baseball experts.
“Opening Day has always been a special milestone in the sports calendar,” Buck remarked in a statement. “When ESPN approached me about this unique opportunity to kick off the season, it didn’t take long for me to agree. I know Joe and Bill will excel in this telecast, and my goal is simply to contribute to the experience.”
The last time Buck was in the national baseball spotlight was on November 2, 2021, when he called Game 6 of the World Series, where the Atlanta Braves triumphed over the Houston Astros. Although he participated in an earlier game last season alongside Chip Caray, that was a regional broadcast covering the St. Louis Cardinals against the Chicago Cubs.
On the same day, ESPN will also feature the defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, as they take on the Detroit Tigers at 7 p.m. EST. The call for that game will come from ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” crew, which includes Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, and Buster Olney.