In a bombshell announcement that has the sports world buzzing, broadcasting legend Joe Buck revealed he will be making a one-game return to the baseball booth to call the Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Yankees Opening Day battle on ESPN. The March 27th matchup, pitting two playoff hopefuls against each other, will mark Buck’s first national MLB telecast since he departed Fox Sports in 2021 after an illustrious 24-year run.
Buck, who has become synonymous with the World Series after calling the Fall Classic for over two decades, emphasized this is a “one-off opportunity” rather than a full-time return to covering baseball. The 55-year-old icon transitioned to ESPN in 2022, where he has served as the lead voice for Monday Night Football. Despite his focus on the gridiron, the allure of Opening Day proved irresistible.
“Opening Day has always been a signature day on the sports calendar and, personally, it remains special,” Buck stated. “ESPN approached me with this one-off opportunity to help launch the season and it was a quick ‘yes.'”
– Joe Buck on his MLB Opening Day return
Star-Studded Broadcast Booth
Joining Buck in the ESPN booth for this marquee matchup will be a pair of baseball minds revered for their expertise:
- Joe Girardi – The former Yankees manager who led the Bronx Bombers to their last World Series title in 2009
- Bill Schroeder – The longtime voice of the Brewers who brings intimate knowledge of the Milwaukee squad
The heavyweight trio of Buck, Girardi, and Schroeder promises to deliver unparalleled insights and analysis. As Buck noted, “Joe and Bill are both great friends and better baseball minds and I know they will carry the telecast, while I just plan to be along for the ride.”
National Spotlight on Bronx Bombers vs. Brew Crew
The season-opening tilt between the Yankees and Brewers is a dream matchup for MLB fans. Both teams enter 2025 with lofty aspirations:
- Yankees are seeking redemption after falling short in the 2024 ALCS
- Brewers are aiming to prove they’re legitimate World Series contenders
The game promises a pitching duel between Milwaukee’s twirling tandem of Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff and New York’s veteran ace Gerrit Cole. With sluggers Christian Yelich and Aaron Judge also set to square off, runs may come at a premium in a potential playoff preview.
“No better way to kick off the 2025 campaign than with a clash of two heavyweights at Yankee Stadium, a venue synonymous with championship-caliber baseball. These organizations expect to compete at the highest level and are building rosters deserving of the hype.”
– ESPN President Bill Schroeder on Brewers vs. Yankees Opening Day
Doubleheader Delight for MLB Fans
The Brewers-Yankees showdown will kick off an Opening Day doubleheader on ESPN, with the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the Detroit Tigers in the evening nightcap. This star-powered twin bill offers fans a chance to bookend their first 2025 taste of baseball with two of the sport’s premier franchises in action.
The presence of Joe Buck, an iconic broadcasting voice intrinsically linked with October glory, gives the opener an extra sprinkling of postseason atmosphere. Having called 24 World Series and 22 All-Star Games, Buck is uniquely suited to capturing the gravity and anticipation of Opening Day.
“Joe Buck is synonymous with Major League Baseball and his presence in the booth will be an incredible addition to our Opening Day coverage.”
– Burke Magnus, President of Content for ESPN
While Buck is adamant this Brewers-Yankees assignment is a “one-off opportunity,” his brief return is a nostalgic treat for generations of fans who grew up associating his voice with the national pastime’s biggest moments. Drink it in, baseball devotees – a titan is back on the mic, if only for one day.
Opening Day 2025 can’t come soon enough. With Joe Buck at the helm, a World Series atmosphere will permeate the very first pitch of a new MLB season. Let the games begin!
