Fox Sports 1’s hiring spree for its new network continues. We learn that former outfielder Gabe Kapler will join Fox Sports 1 as an MLB analyst for its nightly Fox Sports Live program. Kapler played 13 years for a variety of teams including Detroit, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston and Tampa Bay.
He’s been a minor league manager and a scout. And he was on the field in 2004 when the Red Sox when they won their first World Series Championship in 86 years.
Here’s the announcement.
FOX SPORTS 1 LOADS BASES WITH FORMER MLB OUTFIELDER GABE KAPLER
Veteran Player & Manager Joins FOX SPORTS LIVE as MLB Analyst
Los Angeles — Gabe Kapler, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder, joins the FOX Sports 1 lineup in 2013 as an MLB analyst for FOX SPORTS LIVE.
Kapler (@gabekapler) played portions of 13 MLB seasons with the Detroit Tigers (1998-’99), Los Angeles Dodgers (2011), Texas Rangers (2000’-’02), Colorado Rockies (2002-’03), Boston Red Sox (2003-’06; 2007), Milwaukee Brewers (2008) and the Tampa Bay Rays (2009-’10). He also served as a scout and minor league team manager.
“I’m ecstatic to join the already brilliant FOX Sports 1 team,” Kapler said. “The collection of talent assembled is second-to-none. I’m honored and beyond excited to be in a position to add my MLB spice to this recipe.”
“With years of baseball experience in several capacities, Gabe brings a well-rounded perspective of the sport to FOX SPORTS LIVE,” said FOX Sports EVP/Coordinating Studio Producer Scott Ackerson. “He knows the inner-workings of several clubs and is well-connected, enabling him to cut to the heart of the news and highlights from a variety of viewpoints.”
Kapler was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1995 and made his Major League Baseball debut in 1998. In 1999, he hit 18 home runs in just over 400 at-bats, placing him third among American League rookies. Kapler’s 10 home runs in his first 64 games were the fastest by a Detroit rookie since 1954, a mark that stood until 2008. Playing for the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 World Series, Kapler was one of nine players on the field when the Red Sox won its first World Series title in 86 years.
Ok, we’ll find out who else Fox is hiring for its new network in the coming days.
