Ask the Host

ON JAN. 17, CNBC announced that Alex Rodriguez would host a show called Back in the Game, in which former athletes with money trouble will work with mentors who help them attempt to get their affairs in order. Here's a sampling of the advice A-Rod himself could offer to his struggling guests.

1. Be among the top five in the world at your job while working in an industry that generates almost $10 billion annually.

2. Hire shark agent Scott Boras to fleece Rangers owner Tom Hicks for $252 million over 10 years, while seemingly bidding against himself.

3. Use illegal substances to maintain your dominance and put yourself on track to break all-time records.

4. Opt out of that contract, then fire shark agent Scott Boras when he pushes too hard for an even bigger deal, even though it's clear few teams are interested.

5. Persuade the Yankees to re-sign you to a 10-year, $275 million contract anyway—while seemingly bidding against themselves.

6. Perform so poorly that the team allows you to take the final year of the deal off, while still paying you $21 million.

7. Persuade someone to pay you to appear on TV, as yourself.

THEY SAID IT

"I DON'T HAVE TIME TO SIT AROUND AND LOOK AT NO STUPID STATS."

Charles Barkley

Inside the NBA analyst, responding when host Ernie Johnson tried to redirect Barkley's attention from an attractive woman sitting courtside to the actual game.

SIGN OF THE APOCALYPSE

Falcons guard Andy Levitre's wife, Katie, went into labor prior to Atlanta's divisional-round win over Seattle but attended the game before going to the hospital.