Gianna Girardi’s Journey in Baseball Media

Gianna Girardi’s connection to baseball began as her uncle Joe’s impressive MLB career was winding down. His ongoing engagement with the sport helped spark her own enthusiasm. Now, she’s paving her path in the field, working in the very city where Joe, a former renowned catcher and manager, made his mark.

At just 24, Gianna is in her second season as the in-game host for the Colorado Rockies. Joe was picked up in the 1992 MLB Expansion Draft and played three seasons with the team.

In a recent chat, Gianna shared how meaningful it was to see her uncle’s jersey portrait displayed at Coors Field during her first season. She took a moment to snap a photo, showcasing her own Rockies jersey with “Girardi” emblazoned on the back.

“Joe was the original catcher for the Rockies when they first started, so his name is all over the stadium alongside other founding members,” said Gianna, who hails from Fort Collins, Colorado, and studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

She mentioned having a personalized jersey with her name and number, recalling how she would pose for pictures around the stadium, humorously acknowledging that her uncle’s name is also on a jersey just like hers. “I hadn’t even been born yet when he was playing for the Rockies, but it all felt like a nice complete circle,” she said.

Joe Girardi had a prolific 15-season playing career, including managing for 14 years, especially recognized for his tenure with the Yankees. He won three World Series as a player and added a fourth as a manager in 2009, also snagging the National League Manager of the Year Award in 2006.

Since then, he transitioned into broadcasting and currently serves as an analyst for the Yankees on the YES Network.

Gianna reminisced about visiting her uncle in New York during her childhood and even living with him during her junior year at California State University while interning at MLB Network.

She also had an internship at Altitude Sports, a prominent network covering the Rockies, Nuggets, and Avalanche.

Now, Gianna covers the Denver Nuggets for Gorilla Sports, a development fueled by her experiences cheering for her uncle at Yankee Stadium.

“My uncle was deeply involved in MLB, so we often spent time at the ballpark. My dad coached my brother’s Little League teams, while my sister and I cheered alongside, decked out in matching uniforms with our American Girl dolls. Our whole family was engaged,” she explained.

“Because of my uncle’s position in MLB, I spent many hours watching games and felt a pull toward the reporters and hosts, which cultivated my interest in pursuing a career in MLB.”

“By the time I got to college, I already knew it was the direction I wanted to go. Universities may not have the perfect programs, but I remained focused on sports media. During the summer of my sophomore year, I snagged an internship at MLB Network, which was a crucial first taste of the business. It was definitely intense, as I was living with my uncle in New York, commuting daily to New Jersey at just 20 years old. I remember driving over the GW Bridge and thinking, ‘What am I getting myself into?’”

Gianna feels that her internship at MLB Network was pivotal in launching her career. “It was a rewarding experience, although it did have its intense moments. I had a fantastic mentor in Lauren Gardner, the previous in-game host for the Rockies, which makes my current role feel even cooler for me.”

She reflected on the support she received, particularly from Harold Reynolds, who became a protective figure and continues to check in on her. However, finding a job after graduation proved to be a challenge. Gianna earned her degree in Strategic Communications with a focus on PR and Advertising, alongside a minor in Sports Media.

“Landing a job in sports is tough,” she noted. “I even moved to Los Angeles and worked in interior design for a while. Thankfully, after less than a year, I got the opportunity with the Rockies and returned to Colorado.”

Before her first on-camera role with the Rockies, Gianna reached out to her uncle for guidance. “I was keeping in touch with him throughout the interview process. With his experience at YES Network, he had so much insight into the industry… I sought his advice not just on Harold Reynolds but for my personal interviews as well.”

“When I finally shared that I landed the Rockies job, there was a mix of surprise and excitement, as many thought it was quite the achievement for someone my age. Most people advised starting small, but he encouraged me to keep pushing forward authentically.”

Gianna received valuable advice from her uncle about handling nerves in front of the camera. “He shared a funny story about his first time on the radio when he felt a wave of nerves but calmed down right after the game ended.”

“His biggest piece of wisdom has been to stay true to myself. It’s fine to be a bit spontaneous and not stick too rigidly to the script,” she added.

Her responsibilities with the Rockies involve script meetings, fan interactions, and prepping with co-hosts for the pregame coverage that airs about 40 minutes before the first pitch.

“We’re called Rockies Vision, and I absolutely love my team. We keep an eye on the game and adjust based on how fans respond. Usually, once I finish my segment in the eighth inning, I just relax and enjoy the game,” she explained.

Gianna doesn’t host all 81 home games; the co-hosts share the responsibilities. When not hosting, she often works in the control room at Coors Field, assisting with other tasks.

With a social media following now exceeding 111,000 on Instagram, Gianna remarked that her popularity surged after her first season. “When I started this role, I only had about 8,000 followers. I began sharing various content like gaming, hosting, and behind-the-scenes footage. I remember posting clips against the backdrop of winning games, which got people excited.”

“There was one particular moment when I was told by a colleague, ‘You’re trending on Twitter,’ and I didn’t even have a Twitter account then! I woke up one morning realizing I had gained around 60,000 followers overnight. It was wild.”

Gianna’s aspirations are clear; she aims to become a well-respected figure in sports media while pursuing additional opportunities. “I love being part of the action.”