Iwakuma 00740314

02/06/2008 2:41 PM ET
Cone joins YES Network as analyst
Former pitcher will split time between booth and studio
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com










David Cone, the author of one of Yankee Stadium's most memorable moments, is returning for the ballpark's final season as an analyst for the YES Network.
The network announced Wednesday that Cone, who threw a perfect game in 1999 on Yogi Berra Day, will spend time in broadcast booth and the studio, while also hosting the Emmy Award-winning "Yankees on Deck" series and participating in weekly chats on YESNetwork.com.

"An astute student of the game, David will be an excellent addition to our on-air lineup," said John Filippelli, the YES Network's president of production and programming. "He was known as a fierce competitor who relished a battle, and I'm confident that he will bring that same burning desire to excel into the booth."

The addition marks Cone's return into the Yankees family. A former Cy Young Award winner who compiled a 194-126 record, 3.46 ERA and 2,688 strikeouts in a 17-year Major League career, Cone pitched on four Yankees World Series championship teams from 1995-2000, faring 64-40 with a 3.91 ERA.

One of his most remarkable accomplishments came on July 17, 1999, a date already emotionally marked in Yankees history by Berra's return to the Bronx after an 18-year separation.

As part of the festivities, Berra caught a ceremonial first pitch from Don Larsen, who tossed a perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and -- despite a 33-minute rain delay -- Cone would amazingly follow with a 27-up, 27-down performance in a 6-0 victory over the Montreal Expos.

Cone's final season in pinstripes was among his most challenging, as he went just 4-14 with a 6.91 ERA -- though he did play a role in the club's Subway Series title over the Mets, coming out of the bullpen in Game 4 at Shea Stadium to retire the only batter he faced, Mike Piazza, in a key situation.

Insistent that his right arm still had pitches to offer, Cone left New York to sign with the Red Sox for the 2001 season, going 9-7 with a 4.31 ERA. Cone retired following the season and joined the YES Network for its inaugural season, even joining the famed right field Bleacher Creatures for the season opener.

Pitching would pull Cone away from the Yankees one final time that offseason, as the Mets offered him the opportunity to finish his career in 2003 where he first tasted stardom, following a 1987 trade from Kansas City that the Royals faithful still rue to this day.

But Cone would record just one more victory with the Mets before he awoke in a Philadelphia hotel room, an aching right hip telling him it was time to finally walk away from the game.

But now, with Wednesday's announcement, Cone's involvement is secure. Cone will rotate with incumbents Ken Singleton, Al Leiter, Paul O'Neill and John Flaherty as YES' game analysts, while Michael Kay and Kimberly Jones return as play-by-play man and field reporter, respectively.

Cone will also occasionally provide pregame and postgame show commentary alongside host Bob Lorenz in the YES studio, the network said.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.