Fox Sports Makes History with Unique Turkey Carving MLB Broadcast

LOS ANGELES, CA — In a first for Major League Baseball, Fox Sports aired a game while simultaneously carving a turkey live on-air. The broadcast featured Joe Davis, the lead MLB play-by-play announcer, who also serves as the NFL announcer for Fox and the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The unusual segment aired during Canadian Thanksgiving on October 1, as the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series. Davis jokingly acknowledged the spontaneity of the moment, saying, “I can’t say that there was much foresight put into it.” He went on to detail how he improvised when a carving set was placed beside him just before they went live.

Analyst John Smoltz tasted the turkey while Davis seamlessly transitioned between play-by-play and carving the Thanksgiving dish. “Are you not impressed folks? It’s not going to be perfect; I’m trying to also do the job they are paying me to do,” Davis said, calling strikes mid-carving.

At 37, Davis is entering his 11th year with Fox and his fourth year as the lead MLB announcer. Earlier this year, he won an Emmy Award for Best Personality/Play-By-Play. By now, he has established himself with several iconic calls, including memorable moments such as “Gibby! Meet Freddie!” and “Harper, the swing of his life!” In a previous recognition, the Dodgers honored him with a bobblehead.

As the World Series approaches, Davis reflected on the honor he feels in his role. “It’s always been my dream to do this. The moment I found out that I was going to call the World Series was surreal. For me, this really is what I wanted to do,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I grew up watching Joe Buck, wanting to call the World Series.”

Davis also emphasized the complexity of his job, especially when broadcasting to a national audience that may not be familiar with all the players. “For me, this time of year, it’s the most fulfilling thing, just this headlong plunge into learning everything that you can possibly learn,” he stated.

As for juggling multiple sports responsibilities, including covering the Dodgers year-round and working on NFL broadcasts, Davis described his meticulous preparation. “I try to block off time ruthlessly to ensure I’m giving enough attention to each assignment,” he said.

Before closing the interview, he touched on the recent honor of having his own bobblehead, which added to a special night when his children threw the first pitch before Clayton Kershaw’s last game at Dodger Stadium. “It was an amazing night, and it probably gave me a little more street cred with the kids,” he said, reliving the exhilarating experience.

The blend of sports and family makes Davis’ journey uniquely rewarding, and as the World Series kicks off, he prepares to bring his passion for the game into living rooms across the nation.