ESPN Adds 'Big Piece' to MLB Coverage

Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard, the former Phillies slugger who officially retired in September, has been hired by ESPN as a baseball analyst.

According to philly.com, terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it’s a multiyear agreement that will position Howard as one of the network’s analysts across many different shows and platforms, including Baseball Tonight, SportsCenter, Get Up!, First Take, and ESPN Radio.

Howard had been talking to ESPN about a role since last year, and has done a handful of television spots on the network over the last few weeks. He also did two days of guest appearances on the MLB Network in January.

Veteran ESPN producer Phil Orlins, who oversees the network’s baseball coverage and its Sunday Night Baseball telecasts, said the three-time All Star already possesses poise and charisma, in addition to knowledge of the game.