Joe Buck, a familiar voice in the sports broadcasting world, appears to be quite content with his role in ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage and has shown little interest in returning to the MLB broadcast booth, despite some missing his presence since the 2021 World Series.
In the past, Buck revealed that ESPN had approached him to call a baseball game, but he turned down the opportunity, citing that he didn’t have the desire for it at the time but was more interested in being a responsible father. However, he has more recently mentioned that he anticipates that desire returning. He admitted that he does miss calling local MLB games.
Joe Buck is done chasing down events: ‘It’s time to be a dad again’ https://t.co/VMXib8B7Ke pic.twitter.com/qcrEzeCPtT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 23, 2023
During an interview on 95.7 The Game’s The Morning Roast ahead of a primetime matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings, the hosts brought up Buck’s iconic calls during the MLB Playoffs and the special interest San Francisco has in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, with two former Giants managers, Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker, leading the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, respectively.
Despite the connection, Buck doesn’t seem to have the same level of personal investment anymore. He admitted that he’s moved on from the sport, stating that “the sport has passed him by.” He does keep an eye on baseball from a distance but suggests that the events of the 2023 MLB Playoffs are not must-watch TV for him. He reflects on his 35-year career in baseball and 24 World Series, expressing pride in his accomplishments.
He is also pleased for his colleagues, Joe Davis and John Smoltz, who have taken up the mantle. While he acknowledges missing certain aspects, he believes that such experiences require a lot of effort, including calling regular-season games and traveling for Saturday games in various locations.
Buck’s priorities have shifted, and he recently shared pregame hosting duties with his wife, Michelle Beisner-Buck, which seems to have been a fulfilling experience for him. The couple appeared to thoroughly enjoy their time on Monday Night Countdown. Buck, the father of two five-year-old twin boys, views this family experience at ESPN as a valuable perspective. He expressed contentment in moving away from baseball to focus on raising his daughters, especially now that they are in their 20s. He values being a father and is no longer interested in pursuing every event just for the sake of doing it.
