Todd Hollandsworth and Ron Coomer appear to be the last men standing in the search for Pat Hughes' new partner in the Cubs radio booth, according to insiders at WGN AM 720.
Both former Cubs-turned-broadcasters are said to be at the top of the list to replace Keith Moreland as color analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Hughes. Moreland, who succeeded Ron Santo in 2011, announced last month he would not return next year, citing a desire to spend more time with his family in Texas.
Barring a last-minute change or late entry, sources said, the decision is expected to come down to Hollandsworth or Coomer. Bosses of the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station hope to fill the job in time for the 2013 Baseball Winter Meetings next week.
Hollandsworth, 40, a Cubs outfielder from 2004 to 2005, has been the Cubs pre- and post-game analyst for Comcast SportsNet Chicago since 2009.
Coomer, 47, a Chicago area native, was an infielder for the Cubs in 2001. He is a baseball analyst for Fox Sports North, primary television broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins, for whom he also played.
While Hollandsworth has been in play from the start, Coomer’s name was not on the original list of potential candidates floated by WGN officials in early November.
Since the coming season appears increasingly likely to be the Cubs last one on WGN, the new color analyst's contract is expected to be transferable to the team’s next radio outlet.