February 25, 2013

Ozzie Guillen Joins as Analyst for the Network’s Coverage of the Tournament; ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes Radio to Carry Select Games

ESPN Deportes will provide comprehensive coverage as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the World Baseball Classic, with live telecasts of the 39 games played in seven venues and four nations from March 2 through March 19. ESPN2 will simulcast two games in Spanish including the March 10th game of the Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico at 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN Deportes Radio will broadcast 18 games through the tournament.

Ozzie Guillen will join the ESPN Deportes’ diverse team of experts as analyst for select games during the second round games, the Semi-Finals and Finals in San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

“I am very excited and grateful to be joining the ESPN Deportes team as part of their World Baseball Classic coverage,” said Guillen. “I’m looking forward to some exciting games and the fun atmosphere the WBC creates.”

The Venezuelan former MLB star played with the White Sox (1985-97), Baltimore Orioles (1998), Atlanta Braves (1998-99) and Tampa Bay Rays (2000). As a player, Guillen was crowned A.L. Rookie of the Year when he debuted with MLB, was a three-time All-Star shortstop (1988, 1990, 1991), and won the Gold Glove Award in 1990. Following is playing career, Guillen managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004-11, guiding the franchise to a World Series Championship in 2005, becoming the first Hispanic manager in MLB history to win a World Series. Guillen later was named manager of the Miami Marlins from 2011-2012.

Programming Highlights:
ESPN Deportes TV

• All 39 games LIVE;
• The games’ commentary will be led by Ernesto Jerez, Luis Alfredo Alvarez, Guillermo Celis, Fernando Alvarez, Jorge Eduardo Sanchez, Alvaro Morales, Kevin Cabral, Candy Maldonado and special guest analyst Ozzie Guillen. In addition, Pedro Gomez and Bernardo Osuna will provide onsite coverage from San Juan, Phoenix, Miami and San Francisco.
• Jerez, Guillen and Celis will be part of the onsite production team at the Semi-Finals and Finals in San Francisco
• Special editions of SportsCenter will air prior to select games with onsite reporters providing exclusive reports and interviews from Phoenix, San Juan, Miami and San Francisco.

ESPN2

• Live simulcast in Spanish-language of Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico on March 10 at 7:30 pm ET; and Pool D Runner-Up vs. Pool C Winner on March 12 at 1:00 p.m.

ESPN Deportes Radio

• ESPN Deportes Radio will broadcast 18 games starting Saturday, March 2 with Cuba vs. Brazil at 10:00 p.m.
• Commentators include Eduardo Ortega, Spanish voice of San Diego Padres; Renato Bermudez, Jose Francisco Rivera, Pedro Garcia and Cristian Fermin Moreno.
• The radio team will provide onsite coverage, special interviews and reports by Sebastian Martinez Christensen during the second round from the Marlin’s Park, and the Semi-Finals and Finals from San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

ESPNDeportes.com

• The site developed a microsite dedicated to the tournament that provides previews of each team, GameCasts, Boxscores, play-by-play and complete recaps of all 39 games;
• Onsite reporters will provide exclusive content led by Enrique Rojas covering San Juan, Miami and San Francisco; Carlos Nava from Phoenix and San Francisco; and Jorge Morejon and Sebastian M. Christensen covering Miami.
• Video chats with TV and guest talent from San Francisco during Semi-finals and Finals; and
• Video analysis from ESPN Deportes television talent and exclusive audio podcasts from ESPN Deportes Radio talent.
• Fans and followers can show their country and team support with the downloadable avatars available on ESPNDeportes.com:
• Live Twitter Chats and social conversations using the hashtag #wbcESPN.

ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio Schedule of Games:

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