Ripken, Gwynn To Broadcast For TBS

Wednesday, April 4th 2007, 8:09 pm

By: News On 6

BALTIMORE (AP) _ Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn earned a place in the Hall of Fame because of their talent on the baseball diamond. This summer, they'll showcase their knowledge of the game from the broadcast booth.

Ripken and Gwynn will serve as analysts for TBS on the cable network's major league baseball package, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. That person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the arrangement was to be announced Thursday.

Ripken and Gwynn, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 29, are expected to fill major roles for TBS, which last year signed a seven-year deal with Major League Baseball to telecast one of the two league championship series.

The deal first was reported by SI.com.

Ripken, who signed a multiyear deal, will serve as the network's top studio analyst for coverage of the 2007 division series and NL championship series.

Gwynn will team with Chip Caray as TBS's premier broadcast team; they will be in the booth for this year's division playoffs and NLCS.

Ripken and Gwynn are expected to make their debut on July 1 for the All-Star selection show.

The duo were elected to the Hall of Fame by an overwhelming margin in January. Ripken played in 21 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles and set a major league record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games.

Gwynn starred with the San Diego Padres, retiring after getting 3,141 hits over a 20-year career.

Both players have broadcasting experience. Gwynn has spent the past two years as an analyst for Padres games and has served the same role periodically for ESPN. Ripken currently hosts his own show on XM radio with his brother, former teammate Bill Ripken.