The D-backs’ gig was a logical next step, a similar path to the one former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Charlie Steiner took in becoming the TV play-by-play man for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"As a baseball fan, I always thought I had a great job," Berthaiume said. "I was knee-deep in baseball for eight months a year. The only way it would be better would to be a part of one team every day and follow the evolution of a season.
"The opportunity to be at the ballpark every day is a dream come true. I’m thrilled."
Berthiaume emerged as a strong candidate to replace play-by-play voice Daron Sutton early in the search process. The D-backs announced that Sutton and analyst Mark Grace would not return the day after the regular season ended.
Berthiaume, who did a smattering of play-by-play at ESPN, believes his style will develop as he proceeds. He appears certain to draw on his iTunes collection, which features some of the greats such as baseball Hall of Fame broadcasters Curt Gowdy, Chuck Thompson and the legendary Keith Jackson.
He plans to bring a living-room atmosphere to the telecast.
"I want it to be a shared experience," he said. "The fans and I are going to watch the game together. The game is the show. This is not the Bert show."
Berthiaume, 47, will remain at ESPN through the World Series. He has spent 12 years there, the first six primarily as a SportsCenter anchor. His wife, Cindy Brunson, also works for ESPN, and she is expected to remain with the network through the calendar year. In addition to anchoring SportsCenter, Brunson has worked on women’s college basketball and WNBA studio shows.
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