George Grande

George Grande (pronounced like the English word "grand") is an American sportscaster who hosted the very first broadcast of SportsCenter on ESPN in 1979. 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.

Grande was the TV play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's New York Yankees in 1989 and 1990. Grande has been the TV play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds since 1993 for Fox Sports Net, teaming with former player Chris Welsh to form the longest-running TV broadcasting partnership in team history.

Grande has often served as master of ceremonies for the National Baseball Hall of Fame's annual inductions.

He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1969, where he won the 1968 College World Series while playing for USC's prestigious baseball program. While at USC, he played with 14 future Major Leaguers, including Hall of Famer Tom Seaver and slugger Dave Kingman.

Grande is on the board of directors for USA Baseball.

Signature Baseball Calls

For a double play: Six, Four, yes siree three. (This began as "Six, four, three, yes siree!")

For a home run: Its gonna beeeeeeee gone!

For a spectacular defensive catch: HE GOT IT! HE GOT IT!

For a hit over the infield: A BLOOP to [right, left, center]!

Discussing a player: [Insert name], You know his story.

When Reds win: The Reds ended up on the smiling side of the scoreboard this evening.

Opening line: Hi, hello, and welcome everyone! Along with the "crafty" lefthander Chris Welsh, I'm George Grande.

After a game: This is George Grande for Chris Welsh and the whole FSN crew, see you at the ballpark everybody!

Alternatively, he emphasizes the first syllable in "Cincinnati" to effect of "Ciiiincinati Reds baseball here on FSN!"

Albert Pujols: Here's Prince Albert

External links

• reds.com - Broadcasters