Before donning their costumes and appearing on national television, the MLB personalities behind the Fox studio show — Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and Kay Vin Burkhardt — hanging out in a conference room deep in the lobby of Citi Field. It’s Game 3 of the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and Mets, about three hours after the first game, and the players are preparing for a crucial game. The room was littered with notes, and the excitement of an October baseball game was in the air. Even though the Dodgers ended the game on a laugh track, 8-0, the players had plenty to talk about after the game thanks to Shohei Ohtani’s home run and Walker Buehler’s classic performance.
We talked a little bit about baseball before the stadium filled up. (The network’s ace feature reporter Tom Rinaldi was also there.) Jeter, Papi and A-Rod are all 20 years removed from the unforgettable ALCS that changed the course of their lives forever. On the same team. Jeter — who plays with confidence and always appears calm, cool and collected — is the latest newcomer to have to familiarize himself with the rules. A-Rod and Ortiz have been doing television since the mid-2010s, when Burkhart was a local New York reporter covering the Mets. Now they work together to analyze baseball’s most important games and attack each other to no end. The only thing they can agree on? Who is the best dressed member of the team.
Derek Jeter: We don’t have a lot of gimmicks.
Isn’t Steinbrenner a big gimmick?
Jett: No, I can’t think of any.
David Ortiz: When you bring a lot of different personalities into a club, sometimes that can be a good thing and sometimes it can be your worst enemy. It all depends on how the organization handles it. In our example, [in 2004] We were named “Idiots” – I don’t know why, maybe because I was part of it – but the thing is, everyone brought their own personality with them. Never won. All of a sudden you bring in all these different personalities and everything loosens up. Everyone had a great time, but had a great time. This helps us win. Let the players be themselves and it works.
Rodriguez: The interesting thing about the Mets is that as they cut payroll, they gained chemistry. They have actually become a team. I always say, two 9s working together are better than two 10s working apart every time. I think we’re seeing that.
Burckhardt: It’s definitely nostalgic for me. We were here in 2015 when they were in the World Series. It’s so cool and fresh because it’s only been a year since I left. But it’s pretty neat. I’ve had a lot of people reach out to me – friends, followers on social media, “welcome back” stuff – which is cool to me. I’ve been here for eight years and the fans have always been very, very good to me as a pitchside reporter. I’m happy to be here.
How was it working with these people? Are you still walking around and thinking, “Oh my God, are these three goats?” Or are they just your idiot coworkers now?
Burckhardt: A little bit of both. [Laughter] I think that’s the beauty of us. Of course, I don’t take this for granted. They are baseball royalty. But we hung out together, watched the games together, and had a great time. When I was taking baseball lessons from them, I would also shoot to Papi after the game and he would just laugh at me and give me a hug. I’m so lucky to be around these people. We have a great relationship and the ability to beat each other, and I think that showed on the air.
Ortiz: All day, every day!
Rodriguez: A lot of people may not know this, but I’ve known them since I was 18 years old. Papi and I played together in the Mariners’ instructional league. Derek and I have known each other for a while and Kevin has become one of my really good friends. I think that’s a really good level of trust. We know we have each other’s backs. I don’t remember thinking after the show, What exactly is that?
