George Grande
Encyclopedia
George Grande is an American
sportscaster
who hosted the very first broadcast of SportsCenter
on ESPN
in 1979.
in 1969, where he won the 1968 College World Series
. While at USC, he played with 14 future Major Leaguers, including Hall of Famer Tom Seaver
and slugger Dave Kingman
.
Prior to joining ESPN
, Grande served as a sportscaster on Connecticut TV station WTNH
, Channel 8 based in New Haven.
. In the early years of the network, he served as host of the Inside Baseball weekly magazine program that evolved into the current Baseball Tonight
program on ESPN
.
's New York Yankees
in 1989
and 1990
, for the St. Louis Cardinals
in 1991
and 1992
, and for the Cincinnati Reds
from 1993
to 2009
for Fox Sports Net, teaming with former player Chris Welsh
to form the longest-running TV broadcasting partnership in team history. On October 4, 2009, Grande announced that he would step down after 17 seasons with the Reds, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family. However, he has returned for a small number of games in 2010 and is expected to do the same in 2011.
Grande has often served as master of ceremonies
for the National Baseball Hall of Fame's annual inductions.
Grande is on the board of directors for USA Baseball
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
who hosted the very first broadcast of SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 1979.
Early life and career
He graduated from the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
in 1969, where he won the 1968 College World Series
1968 College World Series
The 1968 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 10 to June 15. The twenty-second tournament's champion was the University of Southern California, coached by Rod Dedeaux...
. While at USC, he played with 14 future Major Leaguers, including Hall of Famer Tom Seaver
Tom Seaver
George Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
and slugger Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
.
Prior to joining ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, Grande served as a sportscaster on Connecticut TV station WTNH
WTNH
WTNH is the ABC-affiliated television station for the state of Connecticut that is licensed to New Haven. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on VHF channel 10 from a transmitter in Hamden. Owned by the LIN TV Corporation, the station is sister to MyNetworkTV affiliate WCTX and the two...
, Channel 8 based in New Haven.
ESPN
Grande was the second person to ever be seen on ESPN (when it launched on September 7, 1979), following Lee LeonardLee Leonard
Lee Leonard is an American television personality who was involved in the launch of cable television networks ESPN and CNN.-Early life:...
. In the early years of the network, he served as host of the Inside Baseball weekly magazine program that evolved into the current Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
program on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
.
Major League Baseball play-by-play
Grande was a TV play-by-play announcer for Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in 1989
1989 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1989 season was the 87th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 74-87, finishing in fifth place, 14.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays. New York was managed by Dallas Green and Bucky Dent...
and 1990
1990 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 1990 season was the 88th season for the Yankees. The team finished in seventh place in the American League East with a record of 67-95, finishing 21 games behind the Boston Red Sox. It was the Yankees' first last-place finish in 24 years, and the first in the two-division era....
, for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in 1991
1991 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals 1991 season was the team's 110th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 100th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 84-78 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League East division....
and 1992
1992 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1992 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 111th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 101st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 83-79 during the season and finished third in the National League East division.-Offseason:...
, and for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
from 1993
1993 Cincinnati Reds season
The 1993 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League West.-Offseason:...
to 2009
2009 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 2009 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the NL Central after finishing fifth in the division the previous year. For the second year, the Reds were managed by Dusty Baker. The Reds played their seventh season of home games...
for Fox Sports Net, teaming with former player Chris Welsh
Chris Welsh
Christopher Charles Welsh is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and a current sportscaster for the Cincinnati Reds. He was a left-hander with a career ERA of 4.45 and career win/loss record of 22-31. He graduated from St...
to form the longest-running TV broadcasting partnership in team history. On October 4, 2009, Grande announced that he would step down after 17 seasons with the Reds, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family. However, he has returned for a small number of games in 2010 and is expected to do the same in 2011.
Grande has often served as master of ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
for the National Baseball Hall of Fame's annual inductions.
Grande is on the board of directors for USA Baseball
USA Baseball
USA Baseball was founded in , and is the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States of America. It is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and organizes the United States national baseball team...
.