George Grande is a sports journalist and sportscaster for ESPN.
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Best Known For:The television show SportsCenter
Breakthrough:Played college baseball at the University of Southern California
10 Quick Facts About George Grande
- Full Name: George Grande
- Profession: News anchor and sportscaster
- Known For: The television show SportsCenter
- Current Employer: ESPN
- Date of Birth: July 10, 1946
- Age: 80 years old
- Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut
- Gender: Male
- Specialization: Sports Journalist, News Anchor / Newscaster, and Commentator / Analyst
- Media Level: National
George Grande Age
George Grande is about 79 years old as of 2026. George Grande was born in 1947.
Education
His educational background includes studies at University of Southern California and The Gunnery.
- University of Southern California
- The Gunnery
Career & Work
George Grande's career includes news and reporting roles with Cincinnati Reds / FOX Sports Ohio and National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Organization: Cincinnati Reds / FOX Sports Ohio
Role: Television baseball play-by-play announcer
Period: 1993–2009; occasional return assignments through 2018
Details: Cincinnati, Ohio
Organization: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Role: Induction ceremony host
Period: 1980–2010
Details: Cooperstown, New York · Served as master of ceremonies for the Baseball Hall of Fame's annual induction events.
Organization: St. Louis Cardinals
Role: Television baseball play-by-play announcer
Period: 1991–1992
Details: St. Louis, Missouri
Organization: New York Yankees
Role: Television baseball play-by-play announcer
Period: 1989–1990
Details: New York · Served as a television play-by-play broadcaster for the Yankees.
Organization: ESPN
Role: SportsCenter anchor and sportscaster
Period: 1979–1989
Details: Bristol, Connecticut
Organization: CBS Sports
Role: Sports broadcaster
Period: Before 1979
Details: Worked in sports broadcasting before joining the newly launched ESPN.
Rise to Fame
George Grande rose to prominence for his role on the television show SportsCenter.
Notable Works
Notable media work includes SportsCenter, Cincinnati Reds Television Broadcasts, and National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.
Television
- TV Show: SportsCenter (Original anchor, 1979-1989) — Co-anchored the inaugural ESPN SportsCenter broadcast on September 7, 1979, and continued with the program for approximately ten seasons
- TV Show: Cincinnati Reds Television Broadcasts (Play-by-play announcer, 1993-2009; selected later broadcasts) — Long-running baseball television commentary, frequently alongside Chris Welsh
- TV Show: New York Yankees Television Broadcasts (Play-by-play announcer, 1989-1990) — Television commentary for Major League Baseball
- TV Show: St. Louis Cardinals Television Broadcasts (Play-by-play announcer, 1991-1992) — Television commentary for Major League Baseball
Sports Events
- Sports Event: National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies (Master of ceremonies, 1980-2010) — Hosted induction events honoring Baseball Hall of Fame members
Notable Coverage
- First ESPN SportsCenter broadcast – ESPN – 1979 – Co-anchored the first SportsCenter broadcast on September 7, 1979, alongside Lee Leonard
- Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball coverage – SportsChannel Cincinnati / FOX Sports Ohio – Served as a longtime play-by-play announcer for Reds television games, including 17 consecutive seasons with Chris Welsh
Lesser Known Facts
- Was among the broadcasters who joined ESPN during its first days as a new national sports television network.
- Was one of the first two anchors on ESPN's inaugural SportsCenter broadcast in September 1979.
- Called games for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.
- Spent 17 consecutive seasons working with Chris Welsh on Cincinnati Reds television broadcasts.
- Returned for occasional Reds broadcasting assignments after retiring from full-time play-by-play.
Personal Information
- Full Name: George Grande
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: News anchor and sportscaster
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: July 10, 1946
- Age: 80
- Birthday: July 10
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut
Measurements
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Gray
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $88,000–$384,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $424,000–$6,050,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Broadcast employment and related professional work
Related Biographies
- Lee Leonard (Colleague • Co-anchored ESPN's first SportsCenter program in September 1979.)
- Chris Welsh (Colleague • Longtime Cincinnati Reds television broadcast partner.)
