Braves' TV booth adds C.J. Nitkowski as primary analyst
Mark Bowman
@mlbbowmanATLANTA -- With Jeff Francoeur wanting to spend more time with his family, C.J. Nitkowski will now serve as the primary analyst within the Braves¡¯ television booth.
Bally Sports and the Braves announced Nitkowski will now serve as play-by-play broadcaster Brandon Gaudin¡¯s primary analyst. Francoeur and Tom Glavine are both expected to fill the analyst role for at least 20 games next year.
¡°My family and I are beyond thrilled to come home and receive this amazing opportunity to join the Bally Sports¡¯ Atlanta Braves broadcast team,¡± said Nitkowski. "Braves baseball on Bally Sports is one of the most respected telecasts throughout the industry. I am honored that Bally Sports and the Braves have selected me to join their group and continue their tradition of excellence in television broadcasting."
Nitkowski¡¯s well-traveled 10-year MLB career included a stint in the Braves¡¯ bullpen during the 2004 season. He and his wife, Megan, have spent the past couple of decades raising their three children in suburban Atlanta. Nitkowski is a well-recognized voice on SiriusXM¡¯s MLB Network Radio and has won six Long Star Emmys while serving as the Rangers¡¯ television analyst since 2017.
This is a homecoming for Nitkowski, who spent many days within Turner Field¡¯s press box just observing before committing himself to the broadcast world.
¡°We are lucky to have some of the best announcers in baseball calling Braves games, and C.J. Nitkowski will be a great addition to the lineup,¡± Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller said. ¡°Similar to Jeff and Tom, C.J. has the perspective of a Braves alum and local resident that our fans have come to enjoy and rely on when watching our games on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. We¡¯re looking forward to adding his voice and expertise to the booth this season.¡±
Francoeur¡¯s decision was best understood during this past regular season¡¯s final day, when his four kids burst into the television booth and hugged their dad. Francoeur will continue his postseason broadcast role with TBS, and he¡¯ll occasionally be in the Braves¡¯ TV booth. Stepping back will allow him to spend more time filling a variety of roles, including becoming a coach for his kids¡¯ teams.