Fox Sports Names Davis As Lead MLB Voice, Replacing Departed Joe Buck
Friday, April 8, 2022 at 11:11AM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
April 8, 2022: For the second time in his career, Joe Davis is replacing a long-time presence in the broadcast booth.
Fox Sports for its 27th MLB season has named broadcaster Joe Davis to its lead MLB play-by-play position, becoming the new voice of MLB’s premier events.
Davis replaces Joe Buck, who in March, following months of speculation, was signed by ESPN to join Troy Aikman as the new voices of Monday Night Football.
Buck and Aikman had been together on Fox since they became the No. 1 NFL on-air team in 2002.
Davis was the Los Angeles Dodgers' immediate replacement for Vin Scully when Scully retired in 2016.
Kevin Burkhardt will succeed Buck on NFL Sundays, according to industry analysts. Burkhardt has been with Fox since 2013.
“It’s been amazing to watch Joe’s continued growth over the years developing into one of the elite broadcasters in all of sports,” Brad Zager, Fox Sports president of production/operations and executive producer, said via the network.
“As an integral part of our coverage over the last several years, his transition onto baseball’s biggest stage is a natural fit and we couldn’t be more excited to have him as the new voice of MLB on Fox.”
Davis joins John Smoltz in the network’s lead booth. They will work alongside Tom Verducci and Ken Rosenthal to present such Fox Sports jewel events as the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, MLB at Field of Dreams Game and MLB postseason, including Fox’ 25th World Series.
Davis’ first appearance in his new role is scheduled for May 28. He also will continue his role for local Dodgers telecasts on SportsNet LA.
“If you had asked me when I was the what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would’ve told you ‘Call the World Series,’ “ Davis said via Fox Sports. “So when I say this is a dream-come-true, I really mean it.
“One of the best parts about this is the team I get to work with. Obviously Smoltzy . . . I’ve had a blast getting to know John and building such a comfort together in the booth these last few years.
He, Kenny and Tom along with our producer Pete Macheska and director Matt Gangl are all superstars – the absolute best at what they do. They’ve been so welcoming to me through the years as I’ve worked more and more with their group. It’s all about the people you’re with, and I’m really lucky in that regard.”
David joined ESPN in 2012 when he was 24 as an announcer, calling national college baseball, basketball, football, hockey and softball games. Davis also appeared in spot duty for MLB contests on ESPN Radio.
Davis joined Fox Sports in 2014 as a play-by-play announcer for the network’s MLB, college football and college basketball coverage.
He has been in the booth for Fox Sports’ Division Series coverage since 2017 and called a Championship Series game alongside Smoltz during the 2019 and 2020 MLB post-seasons, respectively.
“Having worked with Joe before, finding our chemistry in the booth is already well underway and I’m looking forward to our partnership over the next several years,” Smoltz said via Fox Sports.
“I had the opportunity to work with the very best at Fox Sports in Joe Buck, and I feel fortunate to get to continue with another exceptionally talented ‘Joe’ in Joe Davis.”
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