“It is a pleasure–and we mean that–to welcome back our good friend, Len Berman,” Matt Lauer announced this morning, welcoming Berman back to the “Today” show.

“Today” has brought back Berman’s signature “Spanning the World” segment, a rundown of highlights and bloopers from the world of sports that the veteran New York sportscaster contributed to the show for 20 years before his WNBC contract was not renewed in 2009.

“I’m thrilled to reconnect with my good buddies Matt, Al, Ann, and Natalie,” Berman told FishbowlNY recently about his return to “Today.” “A great crew on and off camera. It was always one of my highlights.”

WNBC sent Berman packing in the spring of 2009 after 24 years with the station.

Berman originated “Spanning the World” while at WCBS, where he worked from 1979 to 1982.  And the series certainly felt like a throwback to a pre-YouTube era as it made its return on Wednesday, with Berman punctuating last month’s viral videos with old school zingers.

Natalie Morales especially liked Berman’s description of a too-early penalty kick celebration as “just another case of premature exhilaration.”