Nomar Garciaparra joins Dodgers broadcasting crew

Plans for the Dodgers’ new regional sports network, SportsNet LA, are still being formulated, but there is progress.

Nomar Garciaparra has been hired as a new commentator by the Dodgers, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Garciaparra, who was born in Whittier and went to Bellflower St. John Bosco High School, spent three seasons playing for the Dodgers and has been an ESPN analyst for the last four years.

Garciaparra is expected to do pre- and post-game commentary and be utilized on both the television and radio broadcasts. Roles are still being defined.

The Dodgers are also pursuing ex-Dodger Orel Hershiser to be an announcer and the future broadcasting face of the team, according to USA Today. Hershiser is also currently with ESPN, though is contract will soon expire.

Garciaparra, 40, hit .303 with 20 home runs and 93 runs batted in during his first season with the Dodgers in 2006 and was named the National League comeback player of the year. He retired following the 2009 season, completing a 14-year major league career.

He was a six-time All Star and a two-time batting champion. He is married to former United States soccer superstar Mia Hamm.

At the end of last season it was learned the Dodgers would not bring back commentators Eric Collins and Steve Lyons. The Dodgers’ contract with Time Warner is expected to be approved by Major League Baseball prior to spring training.