SEC Network, ESPN's 24-hour television channel devoted to the Southeastern Conference, has added baseball standouts Carlos Pena and Todd Walker as analysts for the network's extensive studio and game coverage of more than 400 SEC Network and SEC Network + produced games.
Carlos Pena: Pena had a longstanding career in Major League Baseball. He was the Texas Rangers first round draft pick (10th overall). He also made an impact at several other MLB organizations, including the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Kansas City Royals. His milestone seasons were with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 2007, Pena finished the season with a .282 batting average, 46 home runs and 121 RBIs. His home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and walk totals set a Rays franchise record. He was the first Ray to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2008. Pena was chosen for the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and his 163 home runs with Tampa Bay remain the second most in franchise history.
Pena began working as a studio analyst for
MLB Network two years ago. His role at
SEC Network marks his first stint as a college commentator.
Todd Walker: Walker brings a wealth of SEC experience, having played collegiate baseball at LSU. His time at the University earned him a spot in the College Baseball Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the LSU Hall of Fame. He was named to the College
WORLD SERIES Legends Team in 2010. Walker was an All-American, SEC Player of the Year and College
WORLD SERIES MVP in 1993. He ranks first in LSU history in career batting average and triples.
After LSU, he was Minnesota Twins first round draft pick (8th overall) in 1994. His professional baseball career continued for twelve years at different organizations including the Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and the Oakland A's. His career highlights include batting .289 in 1,288 career games with 1,316 hits, 107 home runs and 545 RBIs. Walker eclipsed the .300 mark three times with the Twins, Rockies and Cubs.
This Week's Schedule
Pena and Walker are scheduled to appear together in-studio on Saturday, April 2, during the Missouri at No. 15 Arkansas game, and in that evening's
SEC NOW post-game show.
This week
SEC Network and
SEC Network + will carry 15 games with Top 25 teams, including live streaming of in-state rivals No. 11 Ole Miss at No. 12 Mississippi State (SEC Network +), and two Top 10 matchups of No. 1 Texas A&M at No. 8 Florida and No. 6 South Carolina at No. 4 Vanderbilt (SEC Network).
Image courtesy of
ESPN press
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