Logo

Karl Ravech has been a familiar face at ESPN since 1993. This is his profile as published by the ESPN Networks. Last updated March 4, 2008.

Karl Ravech joined ESPN in May 1993 and serves as primary host of the Emmy Award-winning Baseball Tonight (since 1995) and as a SportsCenter anchor (since 1993). He has hosted ESPN's coverage of the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series since 1995. Ravech has also hosted College Hoops 2Night, ESPN2’s weekly news and highlights show, and anchored ESPN’s college basketball studio wraps operation. In the fall of 2000, Ravech followed Tiger Woods’ quest for the Grand Slam while hosting ESPN’s golf coverage at Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and Valhalla.

In November of 1998, Ravech was playing a pickup game of basketball with friends from ESPN when he noticed a sharp pain in his chest. After taking an extended break, the pain hadn’t subsided. Colleague Bill Pidto drove Karl to the local hospital where Karl’s wife worked. After receiving medical attention, the doctor informed Karl he had experienced a heart attack at the age of 33.

“That experience was a wake up call,” said Ravech. “Now, through exercise and proper diet, my heart is as strong as a professional athlete. I run every day. Who knows why these things happen, but it changed me for the better.”

Prior to joining the network, Ravech served as weekend sports anchor/reporter at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, Penn. (1990-93). His assignments included the Harrisburg Senators (Montreal Expos' Double-A affiliate), and Major League Baseball's spring training. He was nominated for a local Sports Emmy in 1990 and 1991.

From 1987 to 1990, Ravech was employed by WBNG-TV, in Binghamton, N.Y., as a sports anchor/reporter with assignments including the 1988 U.S. Open and PGA Championships.

Ravech served as the sports director at NewsCenter 7 in Ithaca, N.Y., and as a freelance sports producer for WCVB-TV in Boston (1986-87), while attending college.

Ravech received his bachelor of science degree in communications from Ithaca College in 1987. He received his masters degree in management and leadership in 1990, from SUNY at Binghamton. Ravech is married with two sons.