ESPN Adds Francona as Baseball Analyst

ESPN announced late last night that former Red Sox Manager Terry Francona has agreed to join the network as a baseball analyst.

Francona’s primary role will be as game analyst along side play-by-play voice Dan Shulman and analyst Orel Hershiser on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, a role formerly held by new Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine.

Francona will also add his opinion on Baseball Tonight as well on ESPN’s radio platforms and ESPNBoston.com. Francona will also work as an analyst for the network’s coverage of the Little League World Series.

“Terry is a brilliant baseball mind, with two World Series rings over the last eight seasons, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our team,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production in a press release. “Ted Williams for Joe DiMaggio never happened, but this is ESPN’s version with Bobby moving to the Red Sox dugout and Terry replacing him on Sunday Night Baseball.”

“I’m excited to join ESPN and to be able to talk about my passion for baseball with fans who love the game as much as me,” said Francona. “In some ways, I’ll be a rookie all over again, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Francona received rave reviews for his brief two game stint working along side Joe Buck on Fox during the American League Championship Series.

http://sportsmediajournal.com/page/2/