25 years of Tommy Sanders

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Tommy Sanders, host of Bassmaster TV, is celebrating his 25th year of working on shows for the ESPN networks.
Tommy Sanders, host of Bassmaster TV, is celebrating his 25th year of working on shows for the ESPN networks.
Sanders poses last week with Kevin VanDam and producer Mike McKinnis at the Bass Pro Shops shoot for Opening Day.
Sanders poses last week with Kevin VanDam and producer Mike McKinnis at the Bass Pro Shops shoot for Opening Day.
Jimmy Houston discusses his segment with Sanders, whose 25 years with JM Associates has seen him interview most every luminary in the outdoors world.
Jimmy Houston discusses his segment with Sanders, whose 25 years with JM Associates has seen him interview most every luminary in the outdoors world.
A bit gray but still smooth on the mic, Sanders gets a touchup before taping a segment.
A bit gray but still smooth on the mic, Sanders gets a touchup before taping a segment.
Sanders interviews B.A.S.S. co-owner Don Logan at last year's Classic in Birmingham, Ala.
Sanders interviews B.A.S.S. co-owner Don Logan at last year’s Classic in Birmingham, Ala.
David Walker greets Sanders at the 2014 Classic registration.
David Walker greets Sanders at the 2014 Classic registration.
Mark Davis and Sanders discuss topics of conversation before going on camera.
Mark Davis and Sanders discuss topics of conversation before going on camera.
Sanders, known as a fastidious researcher, gets the dialogue started between Shaw Grigsby and Mark Zona.
Sanders, known as a fastidious researcher, gets the dialogue started between Shaw Grigsby and Mark Zona.
Sanders and Mark Zona react to an outrageous statement by actor Grayson Russell, a guest on 'Hooked Up.'
Sanders and Mark Zona react to an outrageous statement by actor Grayson Russell, a guest on ‘Hooked Up.’
Sanders works while Zona works the crowd in 2007 at Clarks Hill.
Sanders works while Zona works the crowd in 2007 at Clarks Hill.
Co-workers say Sanders gets into a zone as he prepares his next comments.
Co-workers say Sanders gets into a zone as he prepares his next comments.
Sanders always points the dialogue in the right direction.
Sanders always points the dialogue in the right direction.
Sanders and Zona get photographer James Overstreet out of the boat for an interview.
Sanders and Zona get photographer James Overstreet out of the boat for an interview.
Sanders and Zona pose with Skeet Reese in the JM studio after Reese's Classic victory in 2009.
Sanders and Zona pose with Skeet Reese in the JM studio after Reese’s Classic victory in 2009.
Here Sanders leads a Classic Fantasy draft with Zona, Jerry McKinnis and James Overstreet.
Here Sanders leads a Classic Fantasy draft with Zona, Jerry McKinnis and James Overstreet.
Sanders and Zona pose on the set in 2007.
Sanders and Zona pose on the set in 2007.
Sanders was hired fulltime at JM in 1990 to do the wraparound segments on the ESPN Outdoors block. Here he shoots a segment from Bar Harbor, Maine.
Sanders was hired fulltime at JM in 1990 to do the wraparound segments on the ESPN Outdoors block. Here he shoots a segment from Bar Harbor, Maine.
The ESPN Outdoors crew went on location to produce the wraparounds, like Nevada's Pyramid Lake.
The ESPN Outdoors crew went on location to produce the wraparounds, like Nevada’s Pyramid Lake.
Sanders, getting deep into Acadia National Park, Maine, for a shoot, said it his two- to three-minute segments that ran between the outdoor program was like a mini-show on the area.
Sanders, getting deep into Acadia National Park, Maine, for a shoot, said it his two- to three-minute segments that ran between the outdoor program was like a mini-show on the area.
While Sanders said the crew was great and it was magnicient to be able to work in locales like the mountains near Flagstaff, Ariz., the travel became ardous.
While Sanders said the crew was great and it was magnicient to be able to work in locales like the mountains near Flagstaff, Ariz., the travel became ardous.
Tommy Sanders is referred to by coworkers as the consummate broadcast professional.
Tommy Sanders is referred to by coworkers as the consummate broadcast professional.