Mark Viviano Says “See Ya Later” to Baltimore, But His Legacy Will Last Longer Than a Camden Yards Hot Dog
Baltimore, hold onto your crab cakes, because we’ve got some news that’s sweeter than a Berger cookie but stings a little like Old Bay in an open wound. Our main man in the world of Baltimore sports, Mark Viviano, announced he’s hangin’ up his microphone at WJZ after over two decades of bringin’ us the highs and lows of our beloved teams. Yeah, you read that right. This legend is finally gettin’ a chance to catch a Ravens game without havin’ to analyze it on the air.
Viviano, who recently celebrated a milestone birthday (let’s just say he’s got a few decades of wisdom under his belt), took to that there X, you know, the one Elon’s always tinkerin’ with (used to be called Twitter), to break the news. And lemme tell ya, the outpouring of love from Baltimoreans was enough to make even Edgar Allan Poe crack a smile. This town appreciates its own, and Viviano is about as Baltimore as it gets, even if he did grow up in St. Louis.
He’s not ridin’ off into the sunset just yet, though. He’ll be gracing our screens until July eighteenth, . That gives us all plenty of time to stock up on tissues ’cause you know there ain’t a dry eye in the house come that final broadcast.
Family Man, Philanthropist, All-Around Good Guy
This retirement ain’t about slowin’ down; it’s about shifing gears. Viviano’s made it clear that family’s at the top of his priority list. Can’t say we blame him. After years of late nights and weekend games, the man deserves some quality time with his wife and two sons. Plus, let’s be real, those Orioles and Ravens games are way more fun when you don’t have to be objective.
But don’t think for a second that Viviano’s going to be a stranger to Charm City. This guy’s got a heart of gold, and he’s planning on pourin’ even more of his time and energy into givin’ back to the community. We’re talkin’ increased involvement with organizations like the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and the Casey Cares Foundation. Talk about goin’ out on a high note!
From Show-Me State to Charm City: A Career Forged in Sports
Viviano’s love affair with Baltimore began way back in , when he landed a gig as a sports reporter for WBAL-TV. And it didn’t take long for him to make a splash. Remember that whole thing with the Cleveland Browns movin’ to Baltimore? Yeah, well, Viviano was the one who broke that news. Talk about a baptism by fire! That’s the kind of journalistic coup that puts you on the map and earns you the trust of a city hungry for sports glory.
After a little detour to the ATL for a stint with CNN-Sports Illustrated, Viviano returned to his adopted hometown in to take the reins as sports director at WJZ. And the rest, as they say, is history. For years, he’s been the voice of Baltimore sports, the guy we’ve trusted to tell it like it is, whether we liked it or not (and let’s be real, sometimes we didn’t).
