Fox checked with Alex Rodriguez for OK to rent Derek Jeter on MLB pregame present

Earlier than Fox Sports activities CEO Eric Shanks agreed to undergo with signing Derek Jeter for the network’s top MLB pregame show, he reached out to Jeter’s longtime frenemy and Fox Sports activities analyst Alex Rodriguez to get the inexperienced gentle, The Submit has realized.

A-Rod gave Jeter the thumbs up and now Rodriguez shall be teammates once more with Jeter on the Fox Sports activities pregame this season with David Ortiz and host Kevin Burkhardt.

“Why wouldn’t we attain out?” Fox Sports activities spokesman Andrew Fegyveresi stated.

Given the rocky history between Rodriguez and Jeter, it is sensible.

Jeter has typically downplayed the up-and-down relationship, however then went into extra element about it throughout his seven-part ESPN documentary, “The Captain.”

A-Rod additionally was open about it in the course of the doc.

As younger gamers, A-Rod and Jeter would sleep at one another’s houses when the Yankees and Mariners have been in the identical city, however after Rodriguez took his notorious Esquire shot at Jeter in 2001, the friendship was placed on maintain.

“Jeter’s been blessed with nice expertise round him,” Rodriguez informed the journal on the time. “So he’s by no means needed to lead. He doesn’t must, he can simply go and play and have enjoyable, and hit second. I imply, you recognize, hitting second is completely completely different than hitting third or fourth in a lineup since you go into New York attempting to cease Bernie [Williams] and [Paul] O’Neill and everyone. You by no means say, ‘Don’t let Derek beat you.’ That’s by no means your concern.”

Three years later, the Yankees dealt for Rodriguez, transferring him from quick to 3rd in deference to Jeter.

As teammates with the Yankees after A-Rod’s 2004 commerce from the Rangers, the connection was rocky.

Whereas the 2 — each of their late-40s now — have seemingly made amends, Jeter nonetheless ribs A-Rod at each alternative.

Now, due to Rodriguez, the Captain will have the ability to do it on nationwide TV.

Jeter is scheduled to start out in June in the course of the Saturday recreation of the London collection after which seem on Fox’s marquee occasions, together with the All-Star recreation and World Collection.