Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joe Buck

Discover the career path of Joe Buck, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Joe Buck is a prominent American sportscaster, currently working for ESPN. He is primarily known for broadcasting major league baseball and National Football League games, and has called numerous World Series and Super Bowls throughout his career. Buck is one of the most recognizable voices in American sports broadcasting. He previously worked for Fox Sports for many years before joining ESPN.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1989: Began Broadcasting Career

In 1989, Joe Buck started his broadcasting career as an undergraduate at Indiana University Bloomington.

1991: Reporting for CBS Affiliate and Broadcasting for the Cardinals

In 1991, Joe Buck reported for St. Louis' CBS affiliate KMOV and began broadcasting for the Cardinals on local television and KMOX Radio.

1992: Play-by-play Voice for University of Missouri Basketball

In 1992, Joe Buck became the play-by-play voice for University of Missouri basketball broadcasts.

1994: Joined Fox Sports

In 1994, Joe Buck joined Fox Sports from its inception, serving as a lead play-by-play announcer.

1996: Teamed with Tim McCarver

From 1996 to 2013, Joe Buck worked with Tim McCarver on Fox.

1996: Announced World Series and All-Star Games

From 1996 to 2021, Joe Buck called 23 World Series and 21 All-Star Games for Fox, the most of any play-by-play announcer on network television.

1996: First World Series as Play-by-Play Announcer

In 1996, Joe Buck started his 25-year span as the television play-by-play announcer for the World Series on Fox.

1996: Lead Voice for MLB on Fox and Youngest World Series Announcer

In 1996, Joe Buck was named Fox's lead play-by-play voice for Major League Baseball, teaming with Tim McCarver, and became the youngest man to do a national broadcast for a World Series.

September 8, 1998: Called Mark McGwire's 62nd Home Run

On September 8, 1998, Joe Buck called Mark McGwire's 62nd home run, breaking Roger Maris' single-season record, during a nationally televised game on Fox.

1998: Interview with Mark McGwire

In 1998, after Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris' single-season home run record, Joe Buck interviewed McGwire on Fox and requested a hug, leading to criticism of his on-air professionalism.

1999: Cotton Bowl Classic telecast

In 1999, Joe Buck called the network's first Cotton Bowl Classic telecast for Fox.

2001: Filled In As Fox's Play-by-Play Announcer

During the 2001 season, Joe Buck occasionally filled in for Curt Menefee as Fox's number-six play-by-play man for NFL games.

2001: Hosted the "Joe Buck Classic"

In 2001, Joe Buck began hosting the "Joe Buck Classic", a celebrity pro-am golf tournament held each May to benefit St. Louis Children's Hospital.

2002: Tribute to Jack Buck

During Fox's broadcast of the 2002 World Series, Joe Buck paid tribute to his late father by calling the final out of Game 6 with the phrase, "We'll see you tomorrow night."

2002: Top Play-by-Play Man for Fox

In 2002, Joe Buck became Fox's top play-by-play announcer, replacing Pat Summerall, and was teamed with Troy Aikman as color commentator. He also worked with Cris Collinsworth from 2002 to 2004.

2003: Called Aaron Boone's Home Run

In 2003, Joe Buck called Aaron Boone's walk-off home run in Game 7 of the ALCS between the Yankees and Red Sox.

2004: ALCS Game 4

During Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, Joe Buck said, "We'll see you later tonight," when David Ortiz won it for the Red Sox in the 12th inning.

2004: Worked with Cris Collinsworth

From 2002 to 2004, Joe Buck worked with Cris Collinsworth.

2004: Called Red Sox World Series

In 2004, Joe Buck called the final out of the World Series in which the Red Sox ended their long championship drought.

2005: Called White Sox World Series

In 2005, Joe Buck called the final out of the World Series in which the White Sox ended their long championship drought.

2006: Tribute to His Late Father During 2006 World Series

During the 2006 World Series, Joe Buck paid tribute to his late father by calling the final out of Game 5 with the phrase "St. Louis has a World Series winner."

2006: Briefly Hosted Fox NFL Sunday

During the 2006 season, Joe Buck briefly co-hosted Fox's pre-game show Fox NFL Sunday with Curt Menefee.

2007: Filmed a pilot episode for a late-night talk show

In 2007, Joe Buck filmed a pilot episode for a potential late-night talk and comedy program with Matt Piedmont. Despite featuring Molly Shannon, David Spade, and Paul Rudd, the pilot was ultimately not picked up as a series.

2007: Stepped Down as Host of Fox NFL Sunday

In 2007, Joe Buck stepped down as host of Fox NFL Sunday to focus on his play-by-play duties.

2007: Reduced MLB game commitment

In 2007, Joe Buck was scheduled to call only eight regular-season MLB games for Fox. He defended his reduced baseball commitment in an interview.

2008: Departure from Cardinals Telecasts

Before the 2008 season, it was announced that Joe Buck would no longer call Cardinals telecasts for FSN Midwest, ending the Buck family's presence since 1960.

2008: Joined Fox Sports Full-Time

In 2008, Joe Buck left the Cardinals altogether to join Fox Sports "full-time."

February 5, 2009: Signed with HBO for Joe Buck Live

On February 5, 2009, Joe Buck signed with HBO to host a sports-based talk show called Joe Buck Live.

June 15, 2009: Debut of Joe Buck Live

On June 15, 2009, Joe Buck Live debuted on HBO, gaining attention due to the tension-filled banter between Buck and guest Artie Lange.

March 2010: Joe Buck Live Cancellation

In March 2010, Joe Buck mentioned that HBO might cancel Joe Buck Live, and HBO later confirmed the show's cancellation.

2011: 2011 World Series Game 6

In 2011, Joe Buck used "We'll see you tomorrow night" after David Freese's walk-off home run in Game 6 of the World Series, sending it to a seventh game.

October 14, 2012: Called Doubleheader

On October 14, 2012, Joe Buck called a doubleheader, announcing the New York Giants-San Francisco 49ers game and Game 1 of the NLCS between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants.

February 12, 2013: Guest appearance on Fox Sports Midwest's broadcast of a St. Louis Blues hockey game

On February 12, 2013, Joe Buck made a guest appearance on Fox Sports Midwest's broadcast of a St. Louis Blues hockey game. He discussed his father Jack Buck and briefly took over play-by-play commentary.

2013: Teamed with Tim McCarver

From 1996 to 2013, Joe Buck worked with Tim McCarver on Fox.

2013: Called Game-Tying Grand Slam in ALCS Game 2

In 2013, during Game 2 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park, Joe Buck called David Ortiz's game-tying grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning.

April 2014: Teamed with Greg Norman for Golf Telecasts

In April 2014, it was announced that Joe Buck would team with Greg Norman to anchor Fox's new package of United States Golf Association telecasts.

2014: Teamed with Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci

From 2014 to 2015, Joe Buck worked with Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci on Fox.

2014: Named host of NFL Films Presents

In 2014, Joe Buck was named the new host of NFL Films Presents, coinciding with the program's move from ESPN2 to Fox Sports 1.

2015: Teamed with Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci

From 2014 to 2015, Joe Buck worked with Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci on Fox.

2015: Hosted Undeniable with Joe Buck

From 2015, Joe Buck hosted Undeniable with Joe Buck, a sports interview series on Audience Network.

2016: Teamed with John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal

From 2016 to 2021, Joe Buck was paired with color analyst John Smoltz and field reporter Ken Rosenthal on Fox.

2016: Called Cubs World Series

In 2016, Joe Buck called the final out of the World Series in which the Cubs ended their long championship drought.

2016: Published autobiography "Lucky Bastard"

In 2016, Joe Buck published his autobiography, titled "Lucky Bastard".

October 28, 2018: Chose Baseball Over Football Due to Traffic Concerns

On October 28, 2018, Joe Buck chose to concentrate on baseball, citing traffic concerns in Los Angeles, despite the opportunity to call both the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams NFL game and Game 5 of the 2018 World Series.

2018: Call of Isaiah Crowell's action

In 2018, Joe Buck was more restrained in his call of the New York Jets' Isaiah Crowell using the football to simulate cleaning himself after defecation during a Thursday Night Football contest against the Cleveland Browns, simply commenting: "That will draw a flag every time."

2018: Hosted Undeniable with Joe Buck

Until 2018, Joe Buck hosted Undeniable with Joe Buck, a sports interview series on Audience Network.

April 17, 2021: Report of Joe Buck guest hosting Jeopardy!

On April 17, 2021, it was reported that Joe Buck would serve as a guest host on Jeopardy! as the game show searched for a permanent replacement for Alex Trebek.

2021: Announced World Series and All-Star Games

From 1996 to 2021, Joe Buck called 23 World Series and 21 All-Star Games for Fox, the most of any play-by-play announcer on network television.

2021: Teamed with John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal

From 2016 to 2021, Joe Buck was paired with color analyst John Smoltz and field reporter Ken Rosenthal on Fox.

2021: Last baseball game since the 2021 World Series

In 2021, Joe Buck has called his last baseball game since the 2021 World Series.

2021: End of World Series Announcing Span on Fox

In 2021, Joe Buck's 25-year run as the television play-by-play announcer for the World Series on Fox concluded.

March 16, 2022: Signed with ESPN

On March 16, 2022, ESPN announced that it had signed Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to a multi-year deal, making them the lead broadcast team of Monday Night Football.

May 2022: Made On-Air Debut at ESPN

In May 2022, Joe Buck made his on-air debut at ESPN during the 2022 PGA Championship, hosting an alternate broadcast.

2022: Announcer on Domino Masters and contestant on The Masked Singer

In 2022, Joe Buck became the announcer on Fox's Domino Masters and competed in season seven of The Masked Singer as "Ram". He was unmasked in the competition's second week.

2022: Declined ESPN MLB Game Offer

In 2022, Joe Buck declined an offer to fill in for an ESPN-broadcast MLB game, expressing disinterest in calling baseball.

2022: Moved to ESPN and Became Lead Announcer for Monday Night Football

In 2022, Joe Buck transitioned from Fox Sports to ESPN and became the lead play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football.

2022: End of Fox Sports Tenure

In 2022, Joe Buck's tenure with Fox Sports concluded.

May 24, 2024: Cardinals-Cubs baseball game rained out

On May 24, 2024, Joe Buck was scheduled to call a Cardinals-Cubs baseball game on Bally Sports Midwest alongside Chip Caray, marking his first baseball game since the 2021 World Series. However, the game was rained out.