MLB Network has added to its roster of studio and game analysts.
Former Major League pitcher and veteran broadcaster Jim Kaat and ex- second baseman Billy Ripken are on board with the baseball service as the 2009 regular-season nears.
Kaat, who won 283 games, 16 Gold Gloves and a World Series title with the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals, will provide color commentary for a select number of Thursday night game telecasts and occasionally work in MLB Network's studio.
Kaat's broadcasting career stretches over 20 years and includes national baseball work with CBS, ABC and TBS, as well as 14 years with the New York Yankees on the YES Network, as well as WPIX and MSG Network (1986 and 1994-2006). Kaat, who also worked in the Twins broadcast booth from 1988-2003, has won a total of seven Emmy Awards.
Ripken, who joins the network's MLB Tonight team, had a 12-year career in the bigs with the Baltimore Orioles (1987-92, 1996), Texas Rangers (1993-94, 1997), Cleveland Indians (1995) and Detroit Tigers (1998). Ripken's debut with the O's in 1987 -- playing alongside his brother Cal and with his father Cal Sr. managing -- made MLB history as the only time a father simultaneously managed two of his sons.
More recently, he served as co-host with his brother on XM Satellite Radio's Ripken Baseball show on MLB Home Plate.
