Pete Rose Hired As Fox Sports Guest Analyst, Commentator
Pete Rose may be banned from baseball, but that isn’t standing in the way of the all-time hit king’s serving as a guest studio analyst for Fox Sports. Rose will provide commentary and analysis for pregame and postgame shows during regular-season Major League Baseball games on Fox and Fox Sports 1, including “America’s Pregame,” “MLB Whiparound” and “Fox Sports Live.”
“It’s obvious that Pete has a vast knowledge of baseball history,” said Fox Sports EVP of production and executive producer John Entz, “but what is equally impressive is how well informed and opinionated he is about the game today. He’s one of the most popular players to ever put on a uniform and we have no doubt that people will truly enjoy his insight and enthusiasm.”
Rose spent 24 seasons in the major leagues, amassing an MLB-record 4,256 hits during his career, won three National League batting titles and was named to the All-Star team at five different positions. He retired in 1986.
Rose has been “ineligible” to participate in any MLB business since 1989, when he admitted to betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds, though not betting against his own team. Rose recently asked new MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to be reinstated. Manfred told CNBC earlier this month that he was willing to give Rose “a full and fresh look.” It has not been determined when Rose and his representatives will meet with Manfred.
Fox Sports said on its website that it had informed MLB of its decision to audition and then hire Rose. “As a courtesy, Fox informed us that they were interviewing Pete Rose for an on-air studio position,” said MLB spokesman Pat Courtney. “The decision to hire on-air talent for its telecasts rests solely with Fox.”
“I’m not concentrating or worrying about reinstatement,” Rose told Fox Sports.” 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.”
Related stories
AOL, Fox Sports Partner For Online-Video Coproduction, Distribution
Scott Ackerson Retiring; EVP News At Fox Sports Was 'NFL Sunday' Original
TECH Bits: Maker, Andrew W.K. Launch "'Sesame Street' For New Generation"
Get more from Deadline.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
