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The US Sun
MLB icon David Ortiz opens up on relationship with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez after old rivals become Fox colleagues
By Ryan Sanudo,
6 hours ago
MLB Hall of Famer David Ortiz shared his feelings about working with Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez after being rivals with the two during their playing days.
The Boston Red Sox icon, 47, spoke about being MLB on Fox teammates with the Yankees legends Jeter and Rodriguez at the Fanatics Fest in New York City on August 16.
MLB legend David Ortiz appeared at the Fanatics Fest in New York City on August 16 Getty Images for Fanatics The 47-year-old spoke to The U.S. Sun about working alongside his former MLB rivals Derek Jeter (far right) and Alex Rodriguez (far left) on Fox’s MLB broadcasts Getty
Ortiz appeared at the Jacob Javits Center for the very first Fanatic Fest, where he met with 10-year-old Boston-based Chris Hohn as part of a Make-A-Wish experience.
Afterward, The U.S. Sun caught up with the former 10-time All-Star to discuss his current relationship with Jeter and A-Rod.
Ortiz played with the Red Sox from 2003 to 2016 and was a rival of his now-Fox broadcasting teammates Jeter and Rodriguez.
The 47-year-old has been an MLB analyst with Fox since 2019 and has worked alongside Rodriguez and Kevin Burkhardt.
Jeter, meanwhile, joined the MLB on Fox broadcasting team last year.
After being bitter divisional rivals with Rodriguez and Jeter, Ortiz has enjoyed working with the two personalities.
“I love those guys, man. Great teammates … Those guys help me out so much to be me,” Ortiz told The U.S. Sun.
“They give me the freedom to do whatever I want.
“I feel like I’m at home when I work with them.
“They just let me be me.”
Ortiz outperformed Jeter, Rodriguez, and the Yankees during his MLB tenure, winning three titles, the first of which helped end the Red Sox’s 86-year World Series championship drought in 2004.
New York also suffered a 3-0 collapse in the 2004 ALCS, and Ortiz never lets Jeter and Rodriguez forget about it on Fox’s live television broadcasts.
That’s just one of the many examples of the group’s on-air chemistry.
“We have a really good team where we have Kevin Burkhardt at the beginning passing everything around, A-Rod feeding me with information, Derek always pushing me,” Ortiz said.
Ortis speaking with 10-year-old Boston-based Chris Hohn as part of a Make-A-Wish experience during Fanatics Fest Getty Images for Fanatics Ortiz played with the Red Sox for 14 seasons and won three World Series titles during that span Getty Jeter, who joined the Fox MLB team in 2023, played with the New York Yankees for 20 seasons, winning five World Series titles and making 14 All-Star teams during his career Getty Rodriguez joined the Fox MLB team in 2016 and has one championship, 14 All-Star selections, and 696 career home runs on his resume Getty
“I feel so good working with them.
“I love those guys.
Later that day at Fanatics Fest, Ortiz and Jeter were part of a panel called Character Counts.
During the panel, Jeter joked with Ortiz about him seemingly wanting to play for the Yankees before his Red Sox tenure.
“Before you go, tell them who you wanted to play for,” Jeter said as the crowd booed.
“See, I’ve gotten to know him over the last couple of years.”
Ortiz responded, saying, “You’ve got the story all twisted,” which caused Jeter and Clark to laugh.
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