NEWSLETTER
Almost since its inception, Marquee Sports Network has pulled on the bank of former Cubs players around the game to add color to their booth or coverage. Occasionally, we’ll see (or hear from) Doug Glanville, Ryan Dempster, Rick Sutcliffe, Cliff Floyd, Mark Grace, Fergie Jenkins, Sean Marshall, and a handful of others.
But that group is growing by one today — a pretty big one, at that. Joe Girardi is joining Marquee.
You’ll recall that Girardi was fired by the Phillies earlier this season. And I’m willing to bet he’d like to get back into a dugout. So this gig with Marquee might just be an interim thing, at most. Something to pass the time until teams start hiring again.
Here’s the press release from Marquee (bolded emphasis mine for the parts you need-to-know):
Former Cubs catcher to join Cubs TV broadcast booth for two upcoming series
For immediate release / August 17, 2022
CHICAGO – Marquee Sports Network today announced that former Cubs catcher, major league manager and four-time World Series champion Joe Girardi has joined the network as a game analyst. Girardi will join the broadcast booth for this weekend’s series vs. the Milwaukee Brewers (August 19-21) and next month’s series at the Miami Marlins (September 19-21).
A 15-year major league veteran, Girardi was drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round of the 1986 draft out of Northwestern University and played seven seasons with the Cubs, including earning a NL All-Star appearance in 2000. Since retiring from playing, Girardi has managed parts of 14 seasons with the Marlins (2006), New York Yankees (2008-17) and Philadelphia Phillies (2020-22), posting a record of 1,120-935 (.545 winning percentage).
Girardi earned three World Series championships as a player with the Yankees (1996, 1998, 1999) and returned to lead the Yankees to a World Series championship as the manager in 2009.
A native of Peoria, Illinois, Girardi has also served in numerous media capacities since the conclusion of his playing days, including as an on-air personality and analyst for YES Network, MLB Network and FOX Sports.
“I’m excited to join Marquee and look forward to working alongside Boog, JD and Taylor this weekend at Wrigley Field,” said Girardi. “Growing up a Cubs fan and then having the chance to play for the team for a number of years, I’m honored to now have the opportunity to broadcast from the historic television broadcast booth.”
“We’re pleased to welcome Joe Girardi to the Marquee Sports Network team,” said Marquee Sports Network General Manager, Mike McCarthy. “His insights as a long-time Cubs player and big league manager will be a valuable addition to the broadcasts. Welcome Joe!”
“Having worked with Joe both when he was a player with the Yankees and as a broadcaster with MLB Network, it’s especially gratifying to see us bring Joe into the Marquee Sports Network family,” said Marquee Sports Network SVP Programming and Production, Mike Santini.
For this weekend’s series in Milwaukee, Girardi will be joined in the Marquee booth by Jon Sciambi and Jim Deshaies, along with Taylor McGregor as the field reporter.
Alright, I like it. Now let’s just hope he’s a little less brutally honest than the Dennis Eckersley. Or not. I kinda love it.
