Get ready for a legendary sports commentary team-up! NBC Sports is about to become the new home for some of baseball's biggest names. But here's the twist: they're not stepping onto the field, they're joining the broadcast booth!
The iconic trio of Clayton Kershaw, Joey Votto, and Anthony Rizzo will bring their expertise to NBC Sports' MLB coverage, starting with the 2026 season. This dream team boasts an impressive resume: Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and former MVP, Votto, a six-time All-Star and former NL MVP, and Rizzo, a three-time All-Star and World Series champion, will offer their insights as pregame analysts for the Wild Card round and select Sunday Night Baseball games.
Kershaw, a left-handed pitcher, dominated the game with a .699 winning percentage, the third-best in MLB history. He achieved this feat while recording over 3,000 strikeouts and an 11-time All-Star selection. In 2014, he was named the National League MVP after pitching a no-hitter. Kershaw's charitable endeavors, including building an orphanage in Africa, earned him MLB's prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2012.
Votto, a left-handed batter, is renowned for his power and patience. He led the NL in on-base percentage seven times and hit 356 home runs during his career. His memorable interviews and charismatic personality made him a fan favorite. And let's not forget his contributions to the Reds, helping them reach the Postseason four times.
Rizzo, a left-handed slugger, is famous for catching the final out of the 2016 World Series, ending the Cubs' 108-year drought. He hit .360 in that series and was awarded the Platinum Glove as the NL's best defensive player. Rizzo's impact extends beyond the field; he's a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor and received the Clemente Award for his foundation's work in cancer research and support for affected families.
NBC Sports' MLB coverage kicks off on March 26 with an Opening Day doubleheader, featuring the Pirates vs. Mets and the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks. The network will showcase MLB across NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock, with Sunday Night Baseball starting on March 29. Viewers can expect a weekly Sunday whip-around show, a Labor Day special, the MLB Draft, and much more. And for Spanish-speaking fans, Telemundo Deportes will provide coverage in Spanish on Universo.
And this is where it gets exciting: with such a star-studded lineup, what new dynamics and insights will these baseball legends bring to the broadcast? Will their presence attract a new generation of fans? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's discuss the potential impact of this groundbreaking move by NBC Sports!
