SportsNet LA announces unprecedented live Spanish-language Dodger game programming
Network to produce record-setting 150 live regular season Dodger games in Spanish; legendary dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela to serve as an analyst on network telecasts
LOS ANGELES, CA - SportsNet LA, the exclusive 24/7 TV network of the Los Angeles Dodgers, today announced that in a first for any Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the network will produce and televise a record-setting 150 live regular season Dodger games in Spanish. In addition, it was announced that legendary Dodger pitching great Fernando Valenzuela will serve as the in-game analyst on the telecasts.
The first live Spanish-language telecast of the 2015 season will be presented tomorrow, Thursday, April 2nd at 7:05 p.m. PT when the Dodgers close out Spring Training with the Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels. Details of the complete Spanish-language regular season offering come on the heels of SportsNet LA releasing its full regular season live game and original programming coverage plans beginning with Opening Day next Monday, April 6th at 1:10 p.m. PT.
A 17-year Major League veteran, Valenzuela will enter his 13th season as a Dodger broadcaster. This season, Valenzuela is also celebrating the 34th anniversary of his storied run with the team that began in 1981 with "Fernandomania," which today still holds a special place in Dodger history as well as to the team's special connection to the Hispanic community in Southern California.
Valenzuela will be joined in the booth by a distinguished team of Dodger personalities, including veteran team broadcast announcer Pepe Yñiguez, who will handle the play-by-play duties. In addition, longtime coach and announcer Manny Mota will provide in-game analysis at times throughout the season. SportsNet LA's Spanish-language on-air team will also be supported by the well-respected reporter, Diana Alvarado who returns for a second season on SportsNet LA and will assist on live game telecasts with player and coaching staff interviews from the clubhouse.
"The Dodgers are proud to continue our commitment to the Dodgers' Spanish-speaking fan base which dates nearly six decades with the implementation of MLB's first and now longest-running Spanish-language radio broadcast," said Dodger Executive Vice President and CMO Lon Rosen, "We are excited that Diana Alvarado, Manny Mota, Fernando Valenzuela and Pepe Yñiguez will expand on this legacy and lead the Dodgers in achieving yet another historical benchmark - the delivery of the most Spanish-language telecasts in MLB history."
Alvarado is a three-time Emmy award winning sports journalist with more than twenty years of experience. She is currently the sports anchor with Noticias Univision 34 in Los Angeles and contributes to Univision Deportes Network (UDN) with whom she covered the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Alvarado began her career at KWKW 1330 AM in Los Angeles, was previously the sports anchor at KWHY 22, and served as the sports anchor for KWHY 22 as well as Telemundo 52. Alvarado has also worked for ESPN Deportes as a co-anchor for "Nacion ESPN" and as a reporter for ESPN Deportes.
Mota will provide Spanish-language color commentary for SportsNet LA on games when Valenzuela is not in the booth and will continue to contribute to the Dodgers' Spanish-language radio broadcasts. On the team side, Mota serves as a Dodger coach and is entering his 47th season with the team and 36th straight year on the Dodgers coaching staff, making him the longest-tenured coach in team history. The former outfielder and pinch-hitter played 13 seasons for the Dodgers, won one World Series, and during a 20-year Major League career, ranks third on MLB's all-time pinch-hitting list.
Yñiguez is a seasoned broadcaster entering his 17th season with the team's Spanish-language play-by-play team. He has been a member of the Dodgers' broadcast team since 1992 calling radio games alongside Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín and is a well-respected voice on both the local and national baseball broadcast stage.
Time Warner Cable customers in Los Angeles, the Desert Cities and Barstow can watch live Spanish-language Dodger game telecasts in high definition on channel 324 and Bright House customers can watch the live Spanish-language offering on channel 632. SportsNet LA's Spanish-language telecasts are available to all satellite, cable and telco multichannel providers, subject to agreements with each provider.
SportsNet LA is the home of all local Dodger game telecasts, takes fans behind-the-scenes, and offers in-depth access into the organization, providing an immersive experience with never-before-seen content and thousands of hours of comprehensive Dodger programming.
The network is available on Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Champion Broadband. For more information about SportsNet LA or to demand the network from your provider, visit www.ineedmydodgers.com or www.quieromisdodgers.com or call 1-844-I-NEED-MY (1-844-463-3369). Follow the network on Twitter at @SportsNetLA, Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SportsNetLA and Instagram at @SportsNetLA.