After Losing O’s Broadcast Rights, 105.7 The Fan Pivots With New Pregame Show

By Holden Wilen | Baltimore Business Journal

Three former Baltimore Orioles have joined a new pregame show on 105.7 The Fan this season as the station pivots after losing broadcast rights for games.

The show, called “Baltimore Baseball Tonight,” airs at 6 p.m. on game nights and broadcasts live from Pickles Pub when the team is home. When the Orioles are on the road, the show airs live from various locations, including the 105.7 The Fan studios.

Former players Bill Ripken and Mike Bordick and former front office executive Jim Duquette have joined the show on a rotating basis. It is hosted by Bob Haynie, who has been with The Fan for more than a decade and has served as host of the popular “Vinny and Haynie” midday show since 2016.

The Fan’s Orioles beat reporter, Cordell Woodland, is also part of the show, helping to dive into the latest news and storylines surrounding the team. Tracy Brandys, senior vice president and market manager for Audacy Inc., said the show provides fans with everything they need to know about the evening’s game, including lineups, pitching matchups, injury updates and other analysis. Audacy owns 105.7 WJZ-FM.

If “Baltimore Baseball Tonight” sounds familiar, it’s because The Fan used to have a pregame show with the same title back in 2011. That’s also the last time 105.7 lost Orioles game rights. The Orioles inked a deal in January that makes WBAL NewsRadio 1090-AM/101.5-FM and WIYY 97.9-FM (98 Rock) the team’s flagship stations for the next six years.

105.7 The Fan had been the flagship since 2015 and previously from 2007-2010. Bringing back the “Baltimore Baseball Tonight” show is an example of how the station plans to continue to aggressively cover baseball and be the go-to radio destination for local sports fans.

“We’ve always prided ourselves in putting on the best coverage,” said Chuck Sapienza, director of sports programming for 105.7. “Regardless of the game, the coverage is what’s most important and how you’re going to cover the team. With Bordick, Ripken and Duquette, I would put that up against anybody as far as in-depth knowledge of Major League Baseball. We’ll cover the team like we always have.”

Ripken, the brother of Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., said he and Bordick can offer insight from having played the game as former major leaguers while Duquette is able to provide a front office perspective. He also said listeners can expect to hear his honest opinion. Ripken is currently a studio analyst for MLB Network and has appeared on 105.7 The Fan weekly for several years. Joining the rotation for a pregame show is a “natural progression” and something he looks forward to doing.

“I don’t think I’m going to shy away from being who I am,” Ripken said. “I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m an old-school person. I go back to yesteryear a lot talking about different philosophies and what goes on. But I truly believe even though the more we say this game has changed … I still believe that you win baseball games the same way you always did.”

Photo Credits: Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles

Issue 274: April/May 2022

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