The 2021 MLB season has arrived, and with it comes another stint in the Sunday Night Baseball booth for Alex Rodriguez. The businessman and retired player is approaching a half-decade broadcasting baseball. On Wednesday, AROD shared a few thoughts on the 2021 season and reflected on his time broadcasting baseball games.
Joining Rodriguez on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball is play-by-play voice Matt Vasgersian and Senior MLB Insider Buster Olney. Being part of that trio of experienced and talented broadcasters is what keeps Rodriguez feeling good about the network’s presentation for baseball fans.
“My chemistry with Matt is getting better and better,” Rodriguez said. “We spoke already this morning, and Buster Olney is as good as it gets. I’m surrounded by great talent.”
One thing Rodriguez has learned after three years behind the microphone is a comfortability with his own talent.
“One of the greatest guys that I’ve ever seen in my career over the last 25 years has been Joe Buck, and I think he’s the greatest, and he gets a hard time,” Rodriguez added. “It’s a business that you’re never going to get everybody’s thumbs-up.”
Broadcasting is “just like playing baseball” for Rodriguez, who tried to purchase the New York Mets in the offseason. “We gave it a great run, and the Mets are a fantastic franchise with a great fan base, and I think the ownership is going to do a fantastic job,” Rodriguez said. “I also think they have very much a competitive advantage — when you have 29 teams that have been bleeding, and you have one owner that’s coming in hot and ready to win a World Championship, I think there’s an immense competitive advantage.”
Rodriguez praised MLB for its experimentation with mic’ing up players on the field, noting some conversations he had during playing days in between the lines would’ve made for great content. There’s been a great response to that side of the broadcast and it’s seen as a positive way to welcome a younger generation of fans to the game.
“I want to see them (players) driving home and coming to the stadium,” Rodriguez said. “The more, the better.”
Rodriguez is on the call for New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 1. He’ll be part of ESPN’s Opening Day quadruple-header working with Matt Vasgersian and Buster Olney.
