The Chicago Cubs today announced Ron Santo’s successor.
Former Cub 3B and veteran broadcaster Keith Moreland has been named color analyst for the Chicago Cubs radio broadcasts. Moreland will join play-by-play broadcaster Pat Hughes in the booth starting with the first spring training game February 27 in Mesa, Arizona .
Moreland, 56, spent six of his 12 major league seasons with the Cubs from 1982-87, helping the Cubs to the 1984 National League East crown. He played third base, first base, outfield and catcher during his time in Chicago . Moreland brings 16 years of experience as the radio color analyst of the University of Texas baseball program to the Cubs radio booth, as well as previously serving as a fill-in analyst for Cubs radio and television broadcasts.
“I’m very excited to work with a great broadcaster in Pat Hughes, a great team in the Cubs that I was lucky enough to play for and a great radio station that has the power to reach millions of Cubs fans,” said Moreland. “I’m not a replacement for Ron Santo – he’s impossible to replace. All I can do is be me and strive to connect and build a relationship with Cubs fans everywhere.”
“We’re thrilled that Keith is returning to a full-time role within the Cubs family,” said Crane Kenney, President of the Cubs. “Keith was a popular player for six seasons with the Cubs and has maintained close ties with us since his retirement as a player with guest spots in our broadcast booths and appearances at our conventions. Keith will display the same passion, instincts and knowledge for the game during our WGN radio broadcasts as he did on the field.”
“The color analyst needs to not only be an outstanding broadcaster, but also have chemistry with play-by-play man Pat Hughes, have respect of the players and coaching staff, be an ambassador for WGN Radio, the Cubs and advertising partners, be involved in the community, and most importantly – embrace Cubs fans,” said Tom Langmyer, WGN Radio’s Vice President/General Manager. “Keith Moreland is absolutely the right person for this position and we’re excited to welcome him back to Chicago .”
In addition to his time with the Cubs, Moreland won a World Championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. Overall, he spent four seasons with the Phillies (1978-81), one season with the San Diego Padres (1988) and split the 1989 season with the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles (1989).
After retiring from baseball, Moreland returned to the University of Texas , where he played college baseball for three years, to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1991. In addition to his 16 seasons as the Longhorn’s baseball color analyst, Moreland had been the color analyst for Texas football for the past nine seasons.
At the University of Texas , Moreland was a three-time All-American and helped lead the Longhorns to three NCAA College World Series berths, including a national championship in 1975. In 2008 he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame and the Longhorns retired his #3 jersey in 2010.