Darkhorse candidate Jon "Boog" Sciambi is emerging as the lead candidate to take over play-by-play duties on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball," sources tell Sporting News.
With Dan Shulman stepping down after the 2017 season, longtime "Baseball Tonight" anchor Karl Ravech was thought to be the favorite to join returning analyst Jessica Mendoza in the "SNB" broadcast booth.
But sources say ESPN is strongly considering the talented Sciambi, who has called MLB games both on ESPN and ESPN Radio. (He's nicknamed "Boog" due to his resemblance to former Orioles slugger Boog Powell.)
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The New York native has called "Wednesday Night Baseball" telecasts on ESPN since 2014. The Boston College graduate joined ESPN full-time in 2010 after broadcast stints with Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast.
ESPN declined to comment.
Sciambi would be a strong pick for Shulman's old chair alongside Mendoza, who will be back in 2018 for her third season. But he's not a slam dunk. Ravech, a bigger name, is still in play. So are Dave Flemming and Jason Benetti, according to Kyle Koster of The Big Lead.
Then there's the question of who takes over the analyst role held by Aaron Boone before he left ESPN to become Yankees manager.
ESPN loves big-name hires. I wouldn't be surprised to see the network hire ex-Yankees skipper Joe Girardi, who wants to do some TV before managing another club.
Rounding out the "SNB" cast in 2018 will be insider Buster Olney, who will return for his eight season as reporter.
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Don't cry for Ravech if Sciambi gets the play-by-play job. ESPN's "Mr. Baseball" inherited Chris Berman's job hosting the Home Run Derby telecast. Ravech signed a contract extension in June.
The 29th season of "Sunday Night Baseball" debuts April 1, 2018, with the Giants visiting the Dodgers.