Karl Ravech may no longer be part of ESPN’s long-term plans, but he’s not disappearing from the network just yet.
That became clear Thursday night, when the veteran MLB broadcaster was still in the booth with Eduardo Perez for ESPN’s Nationals-Braves telecast. For some viewers, it was a jarring sight after reports earlier in July said Ravech was among the notable names ESPN let go in its broader round of cuts.
The explanation came after the broadcast. Reports indicated that while Ravech was indeed laid off, he was also given the chance to work a handful of remaining summer dates. He accepted that option, which means he’s still scheduled to appear for ESPN in select spots before baseball season wraps up.
Ryan Glasspiegel reported that Ravech "will still be working some dates for ESPN in the coming weeks." Andrew Marchand later added that Ravech was laid off, but "was given the option to work some more summer dates and has chosen to do that."
Marchand also reported that Ravech is still set to handle ESPN’s Little League World Series coverage, along with a Yankees game in August.
The layoffs themselves were first reported on July 21, when ESPN began parting ways with a group of recognizable on-air names. According to The Athletic, the moves were part of "broader cuts" at Disney, ESPN’s parent company. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro later confirmed that Ravech was among those affected.
Ravech’s ESPN run has stretched 33 years, making him one of the network’s most familiar baseball voices. He had been the play-by-play voice of "Sunday Night Baseball" until NBC took over that package this season. Beyond that, he has frequently called the Little League World Series and has also worked college basketball, "SportsCenter" and "Baseball Tonight."
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One name drawing speculation is Baltimore infielder Jackson Holliday, a young player now on the trade block and the kind of addition that would fit a team trying to support its young core. For Cincinnati, the appeal is obvious: a chance to add more infield stability around Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart while the deadline market takes shape, even if no deal is close to being done. [Read more 🡒]