Breaking In to TV

A-Rod makes his move to the studio. Will he strike out?

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ORIGINAL LAYOUT

VIEWERS SHOULD NOT be surprised that Fox Sports hired Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez as a studio analyst for the postseason. (He'll be joined on set by another member of baseball's rogues' gallery—Pete Rose.) It's a no-lose move for Fox. The expectations for A-Rod are low, and his name alone may make people tune in. The show will likely get some hate-watchers too, and they still count in the ratings. A-Rod certainly knows baseball. MLB reporters attest that his knowledge is off the charts and that he sees everything on the field. Will that translate into interesting commentary? Fox thinks so. "Alex is one of the most compelling figures in baseball," says Fox Sports president of production John Entz. "We've always felt he would be an incredibly insightful analyst."

PHOTO

LILY HERNANDEZ FOR FOX SPORTS (RODRIGUEZ)