MLB All-Star Game: Ex-Red Sox DH David Ortiz is back ... on FOX Sports

by Felix Pantaleón

Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz retired after the 2016 MLB season. He joined FOX Sports’ studio coverage of the playoffs in 2017, sharing the set with former Yankees nemesis Alex Rodriguez. Ortiz was a 10-time All-Star who hit 541 career home runs and three World Series titles.

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Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is making a comeback … with FOX Sports.

The network announced Ortiz will return to its baseball coverage, beginning with the 2018 MLB All-Star game.

Ortiz had joined FOX’s MLB coverage in the playoffs last season, and looked comfortable in the studio, at one point trolling Alex Rodriguez, his former Yankees nemesis.

Here are the details, per FOX Sports:

NEW YORK – Big Papi is back! Three-time World Series Champion, World Series MVP presented by Chevrolet and ten-time MLB All-Star, David Ortiz appears on FOX Sports as studio analyst for the network’s pregame and postgame coverage, signing a multi-year deal. The announcement was made today by John Entz, FOX Sports President of Production & Executive Producer.

Ortiz contributed as studio analyst throughout FOX Sports’ coverage of the 2017 postseason and will again be alongside first ballot Hall-of-Famer Frank Thomas, World Series Champion Alex Rodriguez and Emmy-nominated host Kevin Burkhardt. MLB on FOX, the Postseason won in the category of Outstanding Studio Show – Limited Run at the 2017 Sports Emmy awards.

“Big Papi brings a level of excitement and knowledge that balances nicely with Alex, Frank and Kevin,” said Entz. “David is incredibly likable and has unbelievable postseason experience. And we think we’re set in the hitter department.”

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Ortiz will contribute to FOX Sports’ spring training, regular season, All-Star Game, postseason and World Series coverage. He makes his 2018 debut during the network’s coverage of the 89th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard from Nationals Park in Washington, DC.

“I had a lot of fun working for FOX Sports during the postseason last year and am pumped up to get back in the studio with Kevin, Alex, Frank and our leader behind-the-scenes, coordinating producer Bardia Shah-Rais,” said Ortiz.

Prior to his retirement, Ortiz made his broadcasting debut during the 2014 World Series, for Games 1 and 2, as a guest studio analyst for FOX Sports.

Ortiz entered the league in 1992 with the Seattle Mariners before he was acquired by the Minnesota Twins in 1997. With six seasons under his belt, the Twins released Ortiz in 2003. Shortly after, the slugger signed with the Boston Red Sox, where he had a breakout year as a designated hitter. “Big Papi” remained in “Beantown” for the rest of his professional career, serving as a driving force in the 2004, 2007 and 2013 World Series Championships. Averaging a .688 with seven runs scored, Ortiz also earned the 2013 World Series MVP title. The 10-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger retired at the end of the 2016 season with 541 home runs, 2,472 hits and 1,768 RBIs. As a tribute to his success under their organization, the Red Sox retired Ortiz’s jersey (No. 34) in 2017.