Ryan Dempster, Siera Santos to join Kevin Millar as new co-hosts of MLB Network’s ‘Intentional Talk’
Just minutes ago, the MLB Network announced that former major league pitcher Ryan Dempster and veteran reporter Siera Santos will join Kevin Millar as the new co-hosts of Intentional Talk. The new-look program will air weekdays live at 5 p.m. ET, with the debut show set for Friday, March 31, the day after the 2023 regular season begins.
Intentional Talk_, MLB Network’s longest-running talk show, covers the beauty and hilarity that baseball regularly produces. The program’s hallmark continues to be unfiltered analysis alongside revealing player interviews that entertain and inform. With trends being set and ground being broken seemingly every day in the game, Dempster, Santos and Millar will offer their individual perspectives from every angle. For this new version of the show, Dempster rejoins MLB Network and reunites with Millar, as the pair grew up together in MLB, serving as Florida Marlins teammates from 1998 to 2002. Santos joins _Intentional Talk following her 2022 debut season with MLB Network, where she regularly hosted Quick Pitch, and most recently served as a guest contributor to Hot Stove this offseason.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back with MLB Network and joining the Intentional Talk team,” said Dempster. “Kevin and I have been going back and forth for 25 years together in this game, so it’ll now be cool for fans to see a little bit of our friendly banter. And I’m thrilled to work with Siera, as she does an amazing job. Now, we just gotta figure out who keeps who in line. Let’s go!”
“After a few rehearsals with Siera and Ryan, I couldn’t be more fired up,” said Millar. “Siera’s edginess and quick wit will be a perfect fit to keep this show on track. Ryan’s an ex-teammate, best friend and family member, who used to clean my house, iron my clothes and cook my lunches. With that said, you can rest assured that we will be checking in on his newly implanted head of hair on a regular basis.”
“I can’t wait for viewers to watch this season,” said Santos. “We are three completely different people with one thing in common: our love for baseball. I’m hoping we bring some laugher and fun in the afternoon.”
Dempster has been a Marquee Sports Network broadcaster for the last three seasons, serving as a studio analyst, game color commentator and host of the late-night style program Off The Mound, all roles he will continue again this season. Prior to Marquee Sports Network, Dempster was an MLB Network studio analyst for seven seasons (2014-2020), contributing across its studio programming, including as an occasional guest co-host of Intentional Talk. A two-time National League All-Star and 2013 Boston Red Sox World Series champion, Dempster won 132 games and saved 87 games during 16 seasons as a starter and a reliever.
In addition to her Quick Pitch work last year, Santos served as an on-site reporter for the 2022 ALDS and World Series. Santos joined MLB Network following her role as a sports anchor and reporter for FOX 10 in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to her time in Phoenix, Santos was a sports anchor for FOX 32 in Chicago (2018-2020), and hosted NBC Sports Chicago’s Fast Break and In The Loop programs from 2015-2018.
Intentional Talk launched in 2011, with Stephen Nelson and Millar as the co-hosts the last two seasons. Nelson recently was named to the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcast team for the 2023 season. Chris Rose and Millar co-hosted the program from 2011 through 2020.
(Source: MLB) / (Cover photo, Ryan Dempster, Siera Santos, Image credit: Facebook)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
