Jeanne Zelasko

Jeanne Zelasko (born October 26, 1966 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a sports commentator for the FOX network. She became the pre-game host of FOX's MLB games in 2001 after the departure of Keith Olbermann. Zelasko covers pre-game for "MLB 2K6", "MLB 2K7", and "MLB 2K8" alongside Steve Physioc.

Biography

Early life and career

Jeanne attended San Pasqual High School in Escondido, California from 1980 - 1984, where she was captain of the cheerleading squad and demonstrated her singing ability.

Prior to breaking into television, Zelasko was a popular radio personality and reporter on San Diego's "Mighty 690" XTRA Sports 690, which was broadcast throughout Southern California. She was also known as "Jeanne Z" and "Judy Zebluski", exhibiting her sports acumen by handling calls in a sports-talk format and performing interviews. She also exhibited her vocal skills by singing the national anthem at a San Diego Padres baseball game.

Fox Sports

Prior to assuming full-time duties as FOX's baseball pregame host, Zelasko had previously worked as a reporter on Fox Sports Net's "Fox Sports News" and "National Sports Report". From 2001-2006, Zelasko also worked as a pit reporter for Fox's early season NASCAR coverage. She left the racecasts when Fox expanded its MLB telecasts to a full season; previously she worked the pits until baseball season began.

The Ernie Harwell interview

While covering the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Detroit's Comerica Park, Zelasko angered fans with a perceived mistreatment of legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell. Just 17 seconds into a pre-game interview, Zelasko abruptly interrupted Harwell in mid-sentence while he was detailing the accomplishments of famous Tigers legend Al Kaline. [ [http://archive.salon.com/news/sports/col/kaufman/2005/07/13/wednesday/index_np.html Fox's hateful coverage of the All-Star Game reaches new heights in insulting baseball fans and the sport they love.] ]

Personal

In 1998, Zelasko married Curt Sandoval [ [http://www.curtsandoval.com/indexbackup.htm Curt Sandoval web site] ] , a sports anchor and reporter for ABC-owned KABC-TV in Los Angeles and a triathlete - having completed the Ironman in Hawaii. They have two children and reside in Los Angeles.

December 30, 2007, FOX announced that Zelasko is being treated for thyroid cancer. She was still scheduled to host FOX's on-site pregame show, and serve a sideline reporter on FOX's Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl broadcasts. FOX spokesman Dan Bell said: "She'll be out for as long as her treatment takes. We can't wait to have her back in her MLB studio chair in April." [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2007-12-30-hiestand-nfl-tv_N.htm USA Today 12.30.07 Fox Press Release] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.sptimes.com/News/060101/news_pf/Sports/Zelasko_lands_her_dre.shtml Zelasko lands her dream job]
* [http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article823254.ece Fox's Zelasko apologizes for referring to 'Tampa Rays']