Ryan Dempster joins MLB Network as studio analyst
2013 World Series winner to make on-air debut tomorrow at Wrigley Field's 100th Anniversary; MLB Network to televise Wednesday's Diamondbacks at Cubs game at 2:00 p.m. ET
MLB Network today announced that veteran MLB pitcher Ryan Dempster has joined its roster of on-air talent as an analyst. A frequent guest on MLB Tonight and Intentional Talk with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar, Dempster will appear across MLB Network's studio programming and make his debut tomorrow, April 23 live from Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary celebration during High Heat with Christopher Russo at 1:00 p.m. ET and Intentional Talk at 5:00 p.m. ET.
MLB Network's coverage of Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary on Wednesday will also include the national telecast of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs game at 2:00 p.m. ET (game subject to local blackouts).
A two-time National League All-Star, Dempster won 132 games and saved 87 games during 16 seasons as a starter and a reliever. He pitched 200 innings or more in seven seasons, including two seasons with over 200 strikeouts. Dempster began his career with the Florida Marlins (1998-2002) and Cincinnati Reds (2002-2003), and after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2003, Dempster spent nine seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2004-2012) before joining the Texas Rangers (2012). After starting 29 games in 2013 for the Boston Red Sox, Dempster closed out Game One of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, on the way to the Red Sox's third championship in ten years. In 2000, Dempster received the James "Tip" O'Neill Award from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, and he was the Chicago Cubs' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for community service in 2006 and 2008.
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