Since joining the broadcast team in 2011, ESPN’s Buster Olney has been a constant presence on Sunday Night Baseball.
Olney’s role as field reporter provides perspective and outlook throughout the game.
This week, Olney joined Alex Feuz on 06010, the ESPN Communications podcast, to discuss a range of topics including his time on SNB and his relationship with this specific commentary team of Karl Ravech, David Cone, and Eduardo Pérez.
https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/status/1788582640343196138
“I’ve known each one of them in different ways. David Cone was a player that I covered when he was on the Yankees,” says Olney. “I covered him for three seasons, and he was one of my favorite guys to cover because he loved to talk baseball. Now we’re in a position where not only on air but getting breakfast in the morning, walking to the ballpark, and after the game, we tape what we call a clown car episode of the podcast, and it’s super fun for me to continue those conversations.”
Olney then discussed his relationship with Pérez, which also dates back to the latter’s playing career, before discussing how long he’s known Ravech.
“Of course, Karl, I’ve been doing Baseball Tonight with you since the mid-2000s when I joined ESPN,” added Olney. “It feels like you have old acquaintances and old friends when you’re having these conversations. Everyone’s very comfortable, and no one’s feeling threatened. We all throw out ideas, some good and some bad, but we don’t have a problem laughing at ourselves when they don’t come out so great.”
This sense of camaraderie, forged over years together, is what helps make not only Olney but the entire crew a mainstay on Sunday Night Baseball.
[ESPN PR]
About Robert O'Neill