Matt Tallarini
Matthew Tallarini is the visionary Founder and Chief Correspondent for the World Baseball Network. A former semi-professional baseball player with the Pelham Mets, including participation in the 2018 Semi Pro World Series, Tallarini brings a deep passion for the game. His beat is expansive, encompassing MLB, MiLB, NCAA, and various international leagues, and he has interviewed numerous baseball legends, establishing WBN as a benchmark for international baseball coverage.
Stories by Matt
Ozzie Guillén’s Number Retirement: How to Watch, and the AJ Pierzynski Line That Steals It
Ozzie Guillén’s No. 13 goes up Saturday at Rate Field, making him the first manager in White Sox history to be honored. How to watch — and AJ’s speech.
August 8, 2026
MLBYankees Old-Timers’ Day 2026: How to Watch, Roster, and Why It’s Nearly Extinct
The Yankees hold their 78th straight Old-Timers’ Day on Saturday. How to watch, the full roster, and why nearly every other club abandoned the tradition.
August 8, 2026
MLBHow to Watch the WPBL: TV, Streaming and Full Schedule
Every WPBL game streams on ESPN from Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield. Full schedule, tickets, rosters and where to watch San Francisco-Boston tonight.
August 2, 2026
MLBTarik Skubal to Dodgers: The WBC Start That Changed Him
Tarik Skubal agreed to one start for Team USA. It changed him. Now he’s a Dodger, a free agent in two months, and talking about the 2028 Olympics.
August 2, 2026
MLBWho Is River Ryan? Tigers Get Dodgers Arm in Skubal Deal
River Ryan is the only piece in Detroit’s Skubal return who has pitched in the majors. He’s also on the injured list with a hamstring.
August 2, 2026
MLBWho Is Brady Smith? Tigers Add Tennessee Arm in Skubal Deal
Brady Smith struck out 101 as a Tennessee high school senior, turned down Virginia Tech, then blew out his elbow. He’s the lottery ticket in the Skubal deal.
August 2, 2026
MLBWho Is Zyhir Hope? Tigers Land Dodgers’ No. 5 Prospect
Zyhir Hope, the headline piece of the Skubal trade, is hitting .293 with 23 homers at Double-A Tulsa. He homered twice hours before the deal.
August 2, 2026
MLBQuinn Mathews MLB Debut: How to Watch Cardinals-Blue Jays
Quinn Mathews makes his MLB debut for the Cardinals at 3:07 p.m. ET in Toronto. How to watch, the Stanford story, and the roster moves that cleared room.
August 1, 2026
MLBGiants vs. Padres on Apple TV: How to Watch, Deadline Buzz
Giants-Padres on Apple TV at 9:45 p.m. ET from Petco Park, with Luis Arraez possibly playing his last game in San Francisco and Mason Miller looming.
August 1, 2026
MLBAntoine Kelly Cubs Debut: Des Plaines Native’s Long Road
Antoine Kelly, raised in Des Plaines, made his MLB debut at Wrigley Field — the first Maine East alum to reach the majors. Craig Counsell on the outing.
July 31, 2026
MLBMax Clark MLB Debut: Tigers Lineup vs. Athletics, How to Watch
Max Clark has been the most talked-about amateur in American baseball since he was 16…
July 31, 2026
MLBMarlins to Honor Tommy Hutton With ‘Thank You Tommy Day’
Miami will celebrate retiring broadcaster Tommy Hutton on Aug. 23 with a pregame ceremony and a first pitch from his three granddaughters.
July 30, 2026
MLBJeff Kent on His 2000 MVP: “I Felt Scared”
Jeff Kent won the 2000 NL MVP, then spent the next spring trying to outrun it. In Cooperstown, he told WBN what that pressure actually felt like.
July 28, 2026
MLBCubs-Cardinals on TBS: Who’s Calling, and Who Once Did
Every voice calling Cubs-Cardinals tonight on TBS, Marquee, Cardinals.TV and radio — and the booth that produced four Carays, two Bucks and a president.
July 28, 2026
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSICGeorge Brett: “Disappointed” Beltrán Didn’t Choose Royals
Carlos Beltrán entered Cooperstown in a Mets cap. George Brett, who threw him batting practice for years, told WBN he wishes it had been a Royals one.
July 28, 2026
MLBAndruw Jones on Curaçao’s Historic World Cup Run
Hall of Famer Andruw Jones stopped watching baseball for a month and a half to follow Curaçao’s first World Cup — his island’s second historic first of 2026.t…
July 27, 2026
MLBKazuma Okamoto and the Blue Jays vs Rays: What Time, Lineups
First pitch 3:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre. Toronto placed Patrick Corbin on the IL and recalled Davis Schneider. Lineups, Okamoto, and how to watch.
July 23, 2026
MLBTwins vs Guardians: How to Watch, Lineups, Jose Ramirez Returns
First pitch 1:10 p.m. ET at Progressive Field. José Ramírez is back from hand surgery, Brooks Lee wrecked the Guardians, and the finale decides the series.
July 23, 2026
MLBPadres vs Braves Today: Lineups, Kyle Hart, Wild Card Math
First pitch 12:15 p.m. ET. Kyle Hart faces Chris Sale in the series finale, with San Diego 2.5 games out and its postseason odds in freefall.
July 23, 2026
MLBKohl Drake MLB Debut: How to Watch Athletics vs. Diamondbacks — Time, TV, Live Stream
Left-hander Kohl Drake makes his MLB debut as the Diamondbacks host the Athletics. How to watch: time, TV channel, live stream and his scouting report.
July 21, 2026
LBPRCCarlos Beltrán on Clemente and Cooperstown Honor
Days from becoming the 6th Puerto Rican in Cooperstown, Carlos Beltrán told WBN what it means to follow Roberto Clemente into the Hall of Fame.
July 21, 2026
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSICKlay Thompson Lights Up About His Athlete Brothers
Ask a tired Klay Thompson about his brothers and the fatigue vanishes. At Fanatics Fest, he lit up talking Trayce, Mychel and family.
July 21, 2026
BASEBALLA Sports ComicCon: Robert Flores on Baseball’s Loud Summer
MLB Network’s Robert Flores called Fanatics Fest a sports ComicCon — and told WBN why baseball is in the best spot he’s seen.
July 21, 2026
BASEBALLThe Umpire Channel Founder Isn’t Worried About the Robot Umps
Umpire Channel founder Noah Katz found the job at 16. At Fanatics Fest, he told WBN why the robot umps don’t worry him one bit.
July 21, 2026
MLBJason Kendall Talks Robot Umps at Fanatics Fest
Three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall figured he’d hate the robot umps. At Fanatics Fest, he told WBN he fell in love with them instead.
July 21, 2026
MLBWhat Is Fanatics Fest? Dates, Location, and Who’s Going
Fanatics Fest runs July 16-19 at the Javits Center. Judge, Jeter, Ortiz, CC and a stacked baseball lineup — plus how to follow it from anywhere.
July 15, 2026
BASEBALLWhat Time Are the 2026 ESPYs? Channel, Host, and Nominees
The 2026 ESPYs air Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from Lincoln Center. Start time, channel, host, nominees, and baseball’s strange history at the show.
July 15, 2026
MLBHow to Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game: A Fan’s Guide to Every Team
First pitch is 8 PM ET on FOX from Philadelphia. However you root — by city, by country, or by nobody at all — here’s your guide to every team.
July 14, 2026
MLBWhat Time Is the 2026 Home Run Derby? How to Watch on Netflix
The 2026 Home Run Derby starts at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. Caminero, Murakami, Caglianone and the Philly bros headline. Time, field, and format.
July 13, 2026
MLBHow to Watch Brewers vs Pirates: Skenes on Peacock
Milwaukee has baseball’s brightest farm system and win No. 60 in sight. The Brewers visit Paul Skenes and the Pirates Sunday. How to watch on Peacock.
July 12, 2026