When it comes to pre- and post-game World Series coverage this year, FOX Sports is not messing around.
The network announced last week that noted “great philosopher” David Ortiz has been added to the stacked lineup of analysts for their broadcasts before and after Games 1 and 2 of the matchup between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. Ortiz will join Frank Thomas, Nick Swisher, and former Red Sox teammate Gabe Kapler in Kansas City on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
“I want to thank FOX Sports for giving me this opportunity to be involved with the World Series and their broadcasts,” Ortiz said. “There is nothing more special than playing in the World Series and if I can’t be in the batter’s box, this is the next best place in the ballpark.”
I’m sure many Red Sox fans would agree that its hardly October baseball without Big Papi and if this goes well for Ortiz, he could be setting himself up for a nice post-playing career in broadcasting. As the only member of this analyst team with three World Series rings, and a fourth one just because, Ortiz is certainly qualified to weigh in on these games with his wealth of experience playing in the Fall Classic. He also gives Red Sox fans more of an incentive to tune in than to hear Kapler, who now probably has more fans for his lifestyle blog, Kaplifestyle.com, than for his playing career.
I, for one, cannot wait to hear Ortiz’s analysis and to see whether or not FOX will let him wear sunglasses.