Invoke whichever sports phrase you wish but since this is baseball related news we’re going to keep it simple – ESPN hit a home run! The network has reached an agreement with FOX Sports which will allow them to feature Alex Rodriguez on Sunday Night Baseball. Michael McCarthy of the Sporting News first reported the possibility on January 6th.
Ironically, A-Rod takes over the position previously held by Aaron Boone who left to go manage the New York Yankees, Rodriguez’s former team. A-Rod previously replaced Boone as the Yankees third baseman in 2004 after Boone injured himself in a pickup basketball game.
The arrangement between ESPN and FOX will allow A-Rod to work “Sunday Night Baseball” during the regular season and remain involved on Fox Sports as a playoff analyst during the postseason. Fox Sports and TBS hold the TV rights for postseason play.
Joining Rodriguez on the Sunday Night broadcast to call the action will be Matt Vasgergian. The network chose the Fox and MLB Network play by play announcer to fill Dan Shulman’s vacant seat over internal candidates Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Karl Ravech. Ryan Glasspiegel of The Big Lead first reported ESPN’s interest in him. Despite Vasgergian’s addition to the Sunday Night crew, he’s expected to remain involved as an announcer and studio host on the MLB Network.
The two holdovers to the broadcast team are analyst Jessica Mendoza and reporter Buster Olney.
Regardless of who’s telling the truth or how it happened, Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN just became a lot more interesting with A-Rod involved in the telecast.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
