Cal Ripken Jr. showed promise in his first season as an analyst for TBS. But now, he’s becoming a star by complementing his knowledge of the game as a Hall of Famer with a sense of humor to give viewers insightful analysis of the National League and American League Championship Series.
Ripken has thrived with a talented crew of Harold Reynolds — a former Oriole — and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley alongside the always smooth Ernie Johnson.
I recently had the chance to speak with Ripken about life in the broadcast booth, the ALCS, and what the Orioles can learn from the Rays.
JW: You seem to be having a great time talking baseball with Eckersley and Reynolds.
CR: If you could see us watching the game in the green room we are all yelling like kids. Once we get on the set I love talking baseball with [Eckersley]. He really knows pitching and I hated facing him when we played, but I love working with him. As for Harold, he is great at just saying what he thinks. We were teammates and we enjoy taking opposite sides of an issue and having fun with it.
Then there is Ernie, and I have to say he is one of the main reasons I do this show. He is the best. I really am having fun working with these guys.”
JW: What has surprised you most about the ALCS?
CR: Well we talked about home field advantage being so important to the Rays and to Boston and we were wrong, then we said that the Red Sox were in such great shape with [Josh] Beckett and [Jon] Lester and again we were wrong. The coolest thing about the Rays are that they don’t back down and since both they and the Red Sox have played each other 22 times they are going to fight to the bitter end. I really think this will be a seven-game series.
JW: What can the Orioles and the Nationals learn from the Rays?
CR: They have drafted good young players, signed their best players to long-term deals, made bright trades and have good front office people. Make no mistake: The Rays will be real contenders in the AL East for years to come. I think that both the O’s and the Nationals can learn a lot from what the Rays have done.”
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on dcexaminer.com.
