Each telecast will feature a special guest commentator who will work with Dragons play-by-play announcer Tom Nichols. Among those scheduled for appearances are:
- Former Reds first baseman/former Dragons manager Todd Benzinger
- Former Reds player, coach, and manager Tommy Helms (member of the Reds Hall-of-Fame)
- Hall-of-fame baseball writer Hal McCoy
- Former Houston Astros star and current Reds Assistant Coordinator of Instruction Bill Doran
- Former Reds pitcher/former Dragons pitching coach Doug Bair
- WHIO TV-7 Sports Director Mike Hartsock
- WHIO Radio's Larry Hansgen
- Reds Public Address Announcer Joe Zerhusen
- Former Reds infielder Chris Sexton
- Former Reds Assistant Director of Player Development Grant Griesser
- Reds Assistant Director of Media Relations Jamie Ramsey (author of the blog "Better Off Red")
Sponsors for Dragons 2013 television broadcasts include John Morrell Food Group, Drake Heating and Air, Greater Ohio Virtual School, DP&L, IUE-CWA, and Smoothie King.
BILL DORAN TO WORK FIRST BROADCAST
Bill Doran will serve as the guest commentator on the Dragons first television broadcast on Thursday, April 11. The Dragons host the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Field at 7:00 p.m.
Doran spent 12 years in the Major Leagues from 1982-’93 and was regarded as one of the top second basemen in baseball throughout the 1980’s. He received National League Most Valuable Player votes in 1985, ’86, and ’87 as a member of the Houston Astros and finished fifth in the N.L. Rookie of the Year voting in 1983. In 1987, Doran played in all 162 games to lead the National League. He hit .283 with a career-high 16 home runs and 79 runs batted in while stealing 31 bases. One of Doran’s biggest career hits was a two-run home run in game two of the 1986 National League Championship Series with the Astros against Ron Darling and the New York Mets.
Just before the September 1 trade deadline in 1990, Doran was dealt by the Astros to the Cincinnati Reds. In his second week with the Reds, he earned National League Player of the Week honors and helped the Reds to the National League West title. Doran was on the Reds post-season roster in 1990 but a back injury prevented him from playing as the club won the N.L. Pennant and World Series.
Doran is a native of Cincinnati, attending Mount Healthy High School and Miami University. Since the conclusion of his playing career, Doran has served as a Major League coach with the Reds and Royals. He currently serves as Assistant Field Coordinator for the Reds, overseeing field instruction for all Minor League players in the Reds organization.
Dragons 2013 Television Broadcast Schedule
Thursday, April 11 – Great Lakes Loons
Saturday, April 13 - Great Lakes Loons
Saturday, April 20 – Bowling Green Hot Rods
Thursday, April 25 – Peoria Chiefs
Thursday, May 9 – Lansing Lugnuts
Friday, May 10 – Lansing Lugnuts
Thursday, May 16 – West Michigan Whitecaps
Thursday, May 23 – West Michigan Whitecaps
Friday, May 24 – West Michigan Whitecaps
Thursday, May 30 – South Bend Silver Hawks
Friday, May 31 - Lake County Captains
Saturday, June 1 – Lake County Captains
Thursday, June 13 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
Friday, June 21 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
Saturday, June 22 – Lake County Captains
Thursday, July 4 – Bowling Green Hot Rods
Friday, July 5 – Bowling Green Hot Rods
Thursday, July 18 – Beloit Snappers
Friday, July 19 – Beloit Snappers
Saturday, July 20 – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Thursday, August 8 – Lake County Captains
Friday, August 9 – Lake County Captains
Thursday, August 15 – Great Lakes Loons
Friday, August 16 - Great Lakes Loons
Saturday, August 31 – South Bend Silver Hawks