Big Papi, Hernandez join FOX's playoff crew
David Ortiz and Keith Hernandez -- both World Series champions in their playing days -- have joined FOX Sports as studio analysts for the 2017 Major League Baseball postseason.
• Postseason schedule
The network announced the additions of Ortiz and Hernandez to its playoff coverage on Friday. The pair will join a crew also including Frank Thomas, Alex Rodriguez and host Kevin Burkhardt.
Hernandez and Ortiz will first appear on FS1 for the FOX MLB pregame show prior to Game 1 of the American League Division Series, which begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
"We are pleased to have both David and Keith join us for this year's postseason coverage," FOX Sports president of production and executive producer John Entz said in a statement. "Big Papi is a larger-than-life personality and a postseason legend. Keith won two World Series as a player and is one of the best broadcasters in the business."
• Postseason gear
Big Papi, who led the Red Sox on their memorable curse-snapping postseason run in 2004 and won two more World Series with Boston in '07 and '13, previously served as a guest studio analyst for FOX Sports for Game 1 and 2 of the '14 World Series.
Hernandez is part of the Mets' broadcast team on SNY -- of which Burkhardt was also once a member -- during the regular season. The Emmy Award-winning analyst has worked Mets games since 2006. In his Major League career, Hernandez was a key member of the Mets' memorable 1986 championship team, and he also won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1982.
"I'm thrilled to be joining the FOX Sports team and work with this talented and fun group, Hernandez said in a statement. "They all have great personalities and bring a wealth of experience to FOX's postseason coverage. I'm also excited to be reunited with my old friend, Kevin Burkhardt, from our SNY days together."