MLB Network Adds Another Analyst

This press release is far less glamorous than the last one which announced the hiring(s) of Vasgersian, Leiter, Reynolds, Kusnierek and Hazel Mae, but it's still another nice pickup for the newly formed network. MLB-N has add former MLB Pitcher, and Rays Broadcaster, Joe Magrane (right) will join the team and be an analyst on the network's studio show....

Magrane will join the cast of MLB Tonight, the live, nightly studio show that will be the signature program of the new network, and Hot Stove, a live, nightly off-season studio show. All of the on-air personalities will appear on both shows,as well as other programming across MLB Network, which will launch on January 1, 2009, in approximately 50 million homes as the largest network debut in cable history.

"Bringing Joe into the fold continues our trend of hiring high caliber, versatile talent who weknow can be successful in a wide variety of roles," said Tony Petitti, President and Chief Executive Officer of MLB Network. "Joe's experience as a broadcaster and a player speaks for itself, and hispresence [sic] will clearly enrich our programming."

While Magrane is an interesting hire, I think the even more interesting aspect of the release is that the studio show will be called, "MLB Tonight". There's nothing wrong with the name, but I'd be interested to hear what ESPN thinks about the moniker. It's oddly similar to the title of one of their shows, isn't it?

Also, a little fyi here, but you can expect a few more MLB-N hiring announcements tomorrow, or early next week.