Time to break out your calendars and ink in Feb. 25 as the launch date for SportsNet LA, the 24/7 Dodger TV network.
The Dodgers have begun to promote the channel this week with billboards throughout LA, as well as on social media. The phrase "The Brand New TV Home" of the Dodgers is emblazoned across freeway billboards.
The posters have iconic images from the 2013 season such as Yasiel Puig pointing to the skies from his famous walk-off home-run trot, and Adrian Gonzalez slamming his fists together from his "Mickey Mouse" celebration.
Details were few and far between about the TV network this off-season. That is until Tuesday, when the broadcast team and launch date was announced.
As usual, the legendary Vin Scully will man the microphone for all home and away games in California and Arizona. For games out of Scully's zone, Charley Steiner will take over TV duties. Steiner has been featured on the radio since 2005.
He would normally call the games with Rick Monday covering color commentary, but will now be joined by ex-Dodger, and former announcer for ESPN Sunday Night Baseball, Orel Hershisher. The duo takes over the duties from Eric Collins and Steve Lyons.
Another new addition is on-field reporter Alanna Rizzo. Rizzo comes from the MLB Network and will also be hosting pre and post-game shows from Dodger Stadium. Former Dodgers Nomar Garciaparra and Jerry Hairston Jr. will provide analysis on these shows, as well as Hershiser on days that he is not announcing.
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As for the SportsNet LA studio, John Hartung will cover the duties as the host. He leaves his post with ABC as a TV news anchor.
This is just the beginning of programming announcements for the Dodgers TV network. A truly dedicated Dodger channel will be much different than their previous coverage with Fox Sports on the Prime Ticket channel from past years.
The Feb. 25 launch date is sure to be packed with content, and is just one day before the first game of Spring Training--all of which will be broadcasted on SportsNet LA
