If you’ve tuned in to watch the MLB Playoffs on Fox this month, you’ve undoubtedly seen plenty of David Ortiz, who many, including Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, see as a rising star in sports media. The three-time World Series champ has made his presence felt this postseason, shamelessly stumping for his beloved Red Sox (including firing up fans outside Fenway Park during Boston’s American League Championship Series with Houston) while riffing with fellow analyst Alex Rodriguez. Ortiz has also done his part promoting the network’s new betting app, lugging around a literal suitcase full of money and making it rain on his Fox colleagues.
In an article published Thursday, Marchand was complementary of Ortiz, praising the former Red Sox slugger for his “infectious charisma,” bringing personality and humor to Fox’s pre and post-game coverage. Though passion will always be Ortiz’s calling card (Tony Romo has mapped out a similar blueprint on CBS, reaching fans with his youthful enthusiasm), Marchand believes Big Papi has gotten better at “picking his spots,” learning to pace himself instead of going full throttle, as opposed to early in his Fox tenure when the 45-year-old’s over-the-top energy could sometimes come off as “overwhelming.” Marchand also credits Ortiz for doing it all in a second language, a trait he feels is “underappreciated” among foreign-born players.
While Ortiz and Rodriguez may not provide the strongest commentary, both were enormous stars in major media markets with Fox clearly capitalizing on their ties to New York and Boston. It’s evident Fox has tried to replicate the formula pioneered by TNT’s award-winning studio show Inside the NBA with host Kevin Burkhardt occupying the Ernie Johnson “straight man” role alongside Ortiz, A-Rod and Frank Thomas. Whether that proves successful in the long run remains to be seen, though at the very least, Ortiz is making the Fox booth fun.
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