Alex Rodriguez on Television Makes Too Much Sense Not to Happen

Alex Rodriguez plans to take his final at-bat as a New York Yankee on Friday before taking a job working with minor leaguers in the organization. Barring a surprise pickup from another team, it will mark the last appearance in his illustrious and controversial 22-year Major League career.

Rodriguez’s new contract runs through Dec. 31, 2017 and will seemingly provide him ample time to explore other pursuits. Speculation that he’ll return to the airwaves as an analyst was renewed over the weekend.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reported Fox Sports is interested in having A-Rod back. The Sporting News’ Michael McCarthy wrote that ESPN is also intrigued by the possibility of adding Rodriguez to its roster.

Rodriguez’s turn as a studio analyst for Fox last year was eye-opening. He acquitted himself quite well, providing insight with the poise usually reserved for veterans of television.

Most importantly, he was downright likeable — something Rodriguez has failed to be for more than a decade. It’s always dangerous to extrapolate from a small sample size but the Rodriguez-television marriage just makes too much sense to not become a reality.

Television executives trying to make baseball coverage relevant face an uphill battle. The addition of a big name is an obvious way to bolster ratings. Rodriguez certainly qualifies. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to think of a larger personality to occupy a chair.

The difference between Rodriguez and Pete Rose (another marquee, ratings-minded name) on Fox last year was clear. Rose was at times off-the-rails, a real wildcard. A-Rod was measured and professional. Rodriguez as a pundit would be more than a cheap ploy. It’d be a responsible hire.

The upside for networks is clear but perhaps not the most important factor at play. A second act as broadcaster is the perfect opportunity for Rodriguez to rehab his image on a big stage.

Working behind the scenes in a minor-league role, even for baseball’s most prestigious franchise, is not a front-facing position. The lights don’t shine as brightly in Trenton and Staten Island as they do in a Los Angeles or Bristol studio. If rebranding himself in the eyes of baseball fans is important to Rodriguez, his next career move should be obvious.

I believe such a desire will be a serious motivation. He has never been one to run from the limelight.

For all of the negative things one can say about Rodriguez, that he lacks confidence is not one of them. People outside of his camp have surely told him how good he was with Fox. It’s difficult to believe that the appeal of becoming even better won’t be enticing.

Perhaps I am overestimating the public’s willingness to accept a retired A-Rod and judge him differently than the baseball-playing A-Rod. But consider the glut of former players who have found new life on television despite their baggage (Ray Lewis, Michael Irvin, Charles Barkley, John McEnroe).

America loves a comeback story. There’s a chance Rodriguez is past the point of public relations rehabilitation. There’s a clear path for him to try, though. And it doesn’t involve evaluating the Charleston RiverDogs’ outfield.