For Immediate Release
January 11, 2010

On the first weekday afternoon (3:30 p.m. ET), Baseball Tonight host Karl Ravech today conducted the first interview with St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, when news broke of former player Mark McGwire admitting to using steroids. The daily 30-minute editions of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight mark the first time the show has consistently been scheduled in an afternoon time slot during the offseason. The daily afternoon shows will continue until mid-March, when the show shifts back to its regular season schedule (generally 10 p.m. and midnight ET).

Video of ESPN’s interview with Tony LaRussa:

LaRussa, on his reaction to today’s news:

“I didn’t know anything except that I knew we ran a legit program and that Mark was a good example of working his butt off and getting his strength gains as a product of hard work. I did, and still speak to his character and integrity.”

LaRussa, on his current perspective regarding McGwire as a hitting instructor and his integrity:

“I think, as the entire circumstances come out of his usage – why, when, where – I think he’ll come off and regain a lot of stature that he had with fans and with his peers about being a solid pro…he admits he made mistakes and he’s sorry for it. We all make mistakes and at least he owns up to it.

“He got so much criticism about his performance in (front of) Congress. One thing he did not do is lie, and I don’t think he ever would.”

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Media contacts: Nate Smeltz (860) 766-4550; [email protected];
Diane Lamb (860) 766-2245; [email protected]