One of ESPN’s MLB mainstays, Karl Ravech, has reached an agreement on a contract extension. It means that Ravech will not only remain with the company, but he’ll also expand his role on baseball and on college basketball as well. He’ll take over the play-by-play duties for the MLB Home Run Derby, a role that had been Chris Berman’s for many years.

Ravech says he’s happy to stay with ESPN:

“It is truly a privilege to work with such outstanding people and for a company that prides itself on bringing the best sports coverage in the industry to our fans. To be able to continue with ESPN in these significant roles and on various platforms for what will amount to more than a quarter of a century is beyond my wildest dreams. Chris Berman set the bar so high for the Home Run Derby, my goal will be to keep it there and let the amazing athletes take it to new heights.”

Whether you feel Berman set the bar high is totally up to you, but many viewers will feel relieved not to hear Boomer’s attempts to name local towns during the Derby.

Back to Ravech, his duties will include hosting Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown, calling Monday Night Baseball, the College World Series and Little League World Series. He’ll also host Baseball Tonight shows at the World Series.

During college basketball season, Ravech will be in the studio and also call selected games.

Ravech joined ESPN in 1993 first as a SportsCenter anchor and then becoming host of Baseball Tonight in 1995 where he’s been ever since.

[ESPN]