Karl Ravech

ESPN Baseball Tonight anchor, born and raised in Needham

What is Karl Ravech known for?

Born and raised in Needham, Massachusetts, Karl Ravech is a distinguished American sportscaster with a career spanning multiple decades. After receiving his bachelor's degree in communications from Ithaca College in 1987, he pursued a master's degree in management and leadership from Binghamton University, which he obtained in 1990.

Getting his start in the world of sports journalism at WBNG-TV in Binghamton, New York and then at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Karl soon garnered attention for his dynamic reporting skills. In 1993, he began his longstanding tenure at ESPN, becoming a notable figure on programs like SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight. He has provided commentary for various sports beyond baseball, including college basketball, golf, and coverage of the Little League World Series.

In addition to appearing onscreen, gamers could also listen to his commentary in the 2K Sports video game, Major League Baseball 2K5. His extensive resume includes being the primary host for Baseball Tonight from 1995 to 2018, and since 2017, he has served as the play-by-play announcer for ESPN Major League Baseball. As of 2022, he has been the play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Baseball.

Overcoming personal hardship, Ravech suffered a heart attack in 1998 but persevered to continue his career. In a notable achievement, his son Sam, at the age of 22, became the youngest play-by-play broadcaster on ESPN after calling a Tulane men's basketball game in 2017.

You can learn more about his achievements and career from sources such as the ESPN Press Room and his feature in the Boston Globe.