Former Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is joining NBC as part of their MLB coverage team, according to multiple reports on Thursday.
The three-time All-Star will have a role on the network’s studio show as the lead MLB analyst during “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcasts, Opening Day, as well as some postseason games carried by NBC, Sports Business Journal reported.
Rizzo was mentioned in November as a target for media companies for the upcoming baseball season, according to Front Office Sports.
The former first baseman’s ability to navigate the tough New York media market during his tenure with the Yankees helped make him an attractive analyst option to network executives.
“Rizz played the New York media better than anybody — and that’s not easy,” a source told Front Office Sports. “He always had a smile on his face.”
Rizzo played 14 years in the major leagues, 10 with the Cubs and three and a half in the Big Apple. He finished his career with 303 home runs and 965 RBIs.
The well-liked Gold Glove winner is best remembered for being a member of the 2016 World Series-winning Cubs who helped break the infamous Curse of the Billy Goat that lasted 71 years.
News of Rizzo’s hiring comes shortly after Front Office Sports broke the news that Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw is also being added to the network’s MLB coverage.
NBC is also slated to bring in Bob Costas for hosting duties.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
