Jon Hamm Will Be a Successful Host at ESPY Awards

Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jon Hamm will be hosting the July 17 ESPY Awards, and while it's quite a change-up for the successful television and film star, he should be able to handle the limelight successfully.

Hamm is no stranger to being the center of attention, with his aforementioned award-winning performance in one of TV's most iconic characters, Don Draper, in the critically acclaimed show, Mad Men.

An emceeing gig at the renowned ceremony should accentuate Hamm's strengths, and he already has at least a solid foundation of sports knowledge to draw from.

In an ESPN press release, ESPYs executive producer Maura Mandt articulated specifically why she and those with a stake in the show felt Hamm was an ideal choice:

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The ESPYS is designed to showcase the year’s best sports moments in a sharp, fun and entertaining manner and Jon’s the perfect host for this year’s show. His appearances on shows like 30 Rock and SNL show that humor and creativity are two of his main strengths. The combination of Jon’s dry wit with his passion for sports will give fans a unique and original view of the year in sports.

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A big 2014 film Hamm will be featured in is titled Million Dollar Arm (h/t MLB.com), based on the true story of a sports agent who takes off to India in search of the country's top pitching prospects by conducting a reality TV show.

In the movie, Hamm plays the sports agent, J.B. Bernstein, who hatched the idea that eventually became an inspirational story to get to the silver screen.

The 42-year-old Hamm is known to be a loyal St. Louis Cardinals fan, and was a three-sport athlete in high school, per Metro.us.

According to Biography.com, he had the opportunity to play college football in the Ivy League but turned down several offers to attend the University of Texas. That type of athletic background should at least make him somewhat comfortable, but the reasons he'll keep things running smoothly at the ESPYs will be the product of his professional prowess.

Former New York Giants star Michael Strahan is certainly excited about Hamm hosting the ESPYs, and for good reason.

Mandt mentioned the dryer humor and wit Hamm brings to the show, and he's undeniably quick on his feet. Hamm is funny in a very understated way, and can simply breeze from joke to joke without much air or as much as a pause to await a positive audience reaction.

There is also a certain amount of charisma Hamm possesses that few can replicate. The fact that Hamm is more subdued and subtle means that he won't try to be overly energetic or obnoxious.

Even though his most famous character is a bit darker and not exactly the type of personality that would be universally welcomed to host an awards show, the real Hamm will be a great fit for the ESPYs and confirm the show's faith in him by driving a briskly paced and humorous telecast.