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Larry King bleeds blue for his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers and even celebrated his 80th birthday at the stadium last November.
Now, the lifelong fan will become one of the faces of the team as he hosts Larry King at Bat, a new series premiering March 18 at 7 p.m for the SportsNet LA channel, which launched today.
PHOTOS: The Faces of The Dodgers: The New Blood and the Stalwarts
A season ticket holder and a fan since the Dodgers played in Brooklyn (they moved to L.A. in 1957, which shows what a dedicated supporter he is), King plans to combine his decades of broadcast experience with his love of the game by interviewing celebrities, baseball legends and beloved Dodger luminaries.
“I have been a Dodger fan all my life. I am happy to be a part of SportsNet LA, the new 24/7 Dodgers television network,” said King at a news conference Tuesday.
“With my love of sports and my interviewing skills, I think it will be a happy combo. I am looking forward to a great year!”
STORY: Larry King Surprised at Dodger Stadium for 80th Birthday
The longtime CNN anchor’s latest project is part of a collection of original programming airing on the 24-hour TV network that includes Backstage: Dodgers, Lead-Off L.A., a social media-driven show, Dodgers Clubhouse, and Access SportsNet: Dodgers, the flagship live daily show running from spring training to the season’s finale.
Superfan King attended his first Brooklyn Dodger game in 1943, and was even on hand for Jackie Robinson’s first game at Ebbets Field (the talk show host interviewed Robinson twice).
“I’ve bled Dodger blue all my life,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2012, while revealing five ways he would improve his team, from changing the seat colors to getting rid of the kiss cam.
STORY: Robin Thicke to Headline Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Weekend
Singer Robin Thicke will perform at the opening weekend extravaganza for the Dodgers on April 5, in the second game of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
Before playing in their home stadium, the Dodgers are heading Down Under to play in the MLB Opening Series in Sydney on March 22 and 23. The game against the Arizona Diamondbacks will be held at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground, which will be fully renovated to a baseball configuration.
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