Pete Rose joins FOX Sports as a baseball analyst
While new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred contemplates Pete Rose’s request for reinstatement, baseball’s all-time hit king is taking his own step closer to the game after being hired by FOX Sports as a TV analyst.
FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal reported the news on Thursday, noting that Rose will serve as a guest analyst for the MLB on FOX pregame show on FOX and FOX Sports 1. He’ll also make appearances on “MLB Whiparound,” “America’s Pregame” and “FOX Sports Live” on FOX Sports 1, which means we’ll be chock full of Pete Rose analysis before this season ends.
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In an interesting sidebar, it’s reported that FOX did not require baseball’s permission to speak to Rose or hire him as a network analyst. However, as a broadcast partner for the league, they made sure to inform the league of their intentions.
Needless to say, there were no qualms and concerns, so Rose is set to take the air.
“I enjoy talking baseball, and that’s what this is all about,” Rose said Thursday. “Enjoying the game of baseball, sitting in the green room watching two or three games, getting on TV and talking about it. It’s right up my alley, I think.”
Of course, the timing of it all has led to some concern about Rose’s intentions. After all, he just turned 74, which is a little later than most former major leaguers wait to get into the TV game. However, Rose was clear this week that he’s not going to use this opportunity to champion his cause or attempt to get back in the league’s good graces.
“I don’t even worry about that. I’ve never thought about that,” Rose said. “I’m just trying to give back to baseball. Hopefully people will watch and I’ll make some good points that will help them understand the game more.
“I’m not concentrating or worrying about reinstatement. I’m worried about working, having fun. This will be fun for me. It won’t be like work. That’s the way I look at it.”
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Regardless of intentions, Rose is sure to bring a unique perspective to the telecasts. Not many have played the game as brilliantly as he did for as long as he did, and that undoubtedly means he’ll have some stories to tell and advice to give.
With that said, it’s obviously a different game than the one Rose played in or managed in some 30 years ago, but he’s Pete Rose. We’ll definitely be listening, and we anticipate being entertained.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
