Brian Kenny, Bob Costas and Christopher 'Mad Dog' Russo headline MLB Network's MLB Now this Thursday, May 23 at 11 a.m. ET

May 20, 2024 - For the first time, MLB Network will team up its Hall of Fame broadcasters Bob Costas, Brian Kenny and Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, when the trio anchor MLB Now this Thursday, May 23 at 11 a.m. ET from Studio 21. Costas, Kenny and Russo will bring their baseball wit and wisdom to the 90-minute program as an array of topics are covered, including whether Shohei Ohtani should give up pitching, who are the top players not in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and what is the best way to build a championship team. Now in its 12th season with Kenny as the MLB Now host, Russo and Costas have contributed to the open forum show over the years, but this Thursday’s episode will mark the first time all three will be on the desk for an entire show together.

“I can’t tell you how much I value the knowledge, perspective and experience of both Bob and Chris,” said Kenny. “But both are heavyweights in this game, and they know when they come on MLB Now, they will be challenged. With the big guys, it’s open sparring, no holding back. We have definitive ideas on baseball history, culture, tactics, rules changes and the evolving competitive landscape. I expect robust debate, and a rollicking good time.” MLB Network’s MLB Central at 9 a.m. ET will lead into MLB Now, followed by the Seattle Mariners at New York Yankees matchup at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Kenny was inducted into the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. Examining the latest trends, analytics and decision-making in the game, Kenny has been at the forefront of MLB Now, coining the program, “the show for the thinking fan.” An MLB Network broadcaster since September 2011, Kenny was one of the award recipients of the 2017 SABR Baseball Research Award for his book “Ahead of the Curve,” plus he has been the Master of Ceremonies for the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Day the last seven years.

On Thursday’s program, Costas says, "I am certain of only one thing. There will be no shortage of opinions.” Costas received the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. Costas continues to regularly call MLB Network Showcase telecasts as he has since the network launched in 2009. In addition to calling games, Costas has been part of multiple MLB Network series, most recently The Sounds of Baseball.

“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to break down the ’39 Yankees,” says Russo. “You never know with these two.” Russo, who has been the host of MLB Network’s daily program High Heat since 2014, was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2022, for his longstanding work at WFAN-AM and SiriusXM. A lifelong San Francisco Giants fan, Russo’s signature style and delivery has echoed across MLB Network’s programming, including on Hall of Fame Election Day, Trade Deadline Day and during the World Series for more than a decade.

MLB Now, which has been live from the World Series, National Baseball Hall of Fame Election Week and the MLB Winter Meetings, features signature segments Digging In, Baseball-y Plays of the Day and Managerial Check. Every offseason, MLB Now regularly presents the Top 10 Players Right Now at each position. MLB Network has also produced “Showcase” game telecasts over the years through the lens of MLB Now, featuring real-time data and game-relevant analytics.