Legendary baseball writer and ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian shares stories and lessons from his decades-long career covering Major League Baseball. Reflecting on the emotional moment he learned he would be honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a recipient of the BBWAA Career Excellence Award, Kurkjian recounts memorable moments—from interviewing icons like Hank Aaron to navigating the intense competition of beat reporting.

In a conversation led by fellow Hall of Fame sportswriter Claire Smith—director of the Claire Smith Center for Sports Media—Kurkjian reflects on the highs, challenges, and defining experiences of his career. Through humorous anecdotes, career setbacks, and behind-the-scenes insights, he emphasizes the values that define great journalism: curiosity, persistence, accuracy, and building trust with sources. His message to aspiring journalists is simple but powerful—show up every day, ask questions, and never lose the joy of telling stories about the game.