CHICAGO -- Cubs play-by-play broadcaster Len Kasper and television analyst Jim Deshaies each received three-year contract extensions, the team announced Tuesday. The 2017 season will be their fifth year together.
"We think Len and J.D. are the best team in baseball," Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney said in a statement. "Their chemistry as a team and their ability to weave baseball history, current events and the Wrigley experience into the game call speaks to their preparation and love of baseball. We are excited to know they will continue bringing Cub games to our fans, especially after such a thrilling and historic season."
• Cubs' TV and radio voices
Cubs TV ratings on WGN and CSN have more than doubled in the last two years, while WLS-TV achieved nearly a 5.0 average household rating in its second year of broadcasting Cubs games.
Kasper, 45, enters his 13th season doing play-by-play for Cubs television broadcasts after joining in 2005. He began his big league career broadcasting select games for the Brewers from 1999-2001 before joining the Marlins from 2002-04.
"I am thrilled to formalize an extension of what has been the greatest job in the world," Kasper said. "Calling Cubs games with Jim Deshaies for the most passionate fans in baseball is something I cherish and hope to do for the rest of my career. I am incredibly thankful to the Cubs, the Ricketts family, WGN, CSN and ABC 7 and all the fans with whom we watch and cheer on the Cubs every season."

Deshaies, 56, enters his fifth season in the Cubs broadcast booth as the television analyst after joining in 2013. He spent the previous 16 seasons in the same role with the Astros. Deshaies was selected by the Yankees in the 21st round of the 1982 Draft and played 12 years in the big leagues.
"I am excited to continue my relationship with the Cubs and the entire organization," Deshaies said. "It has been a joy to share Cubs baseball with our great fans, and I hope to do so for a long time. It is a special privilege to call Wrigley Field your home office, and working with a top-notch partner in Len Kasper and all our broadcast partners makes coming to the ballpark that much more enjoyable."