David Ortiz expected to join Fox Sports’ playoff broadcast team
After so many Octobers anchoring the Red Sox’ batting order, David Ortiz is expected to join a different lineup this postseason.
Ortiz reportedly will join the studio team for Fox Sports’s playoff coverage. Keith Hernandez, who has long earned high marks as an analyst on Mets broadcasts for SNY, is also joining a cast that includes anchor Kevin Burkhardt and holdover analysts Alex Rodriguez and Frank Thomas.
Fox Sports is expected to make it official with an announcement Monday. Newsday first reported the addition of Ortiz and Hernandez. They will in effect replace Pete Rose, who parted ways with the network in August after allegations of sexual contact with a minor during his playing days surfaced.
Ortiz is an inexperienced broadcaster, but he is not a total television novice. He received good reviews in 2014 when he was a guest analyst in the studio for Fox’s World Series coverage in 2014, his gregarious personality translating well to the role.
And, having retired just a year ago, he should have significant insight on the Red Sox as well as the other American League playoff teams, including Terry Francona’s Indians.
Fox is the home for the American League playoffs, with Division Series games airing on Fox Sports 1. The first three games of the Red Sox-Astros series will also air on the MLB Network.
Related: Start times set for Red Sox’ first two playoff games
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