Kevin Burkhardt
Fox Sports host Kevin Burkhardt talks to The Post’s Justin Terranova about working with Alex Rodriguez, the pressure of advancing in the broadcasting business and if he’s changed since his early days.
Q: How have you changed as a broadcaster over the past few years?
A: I’d like to think I am the same guy that people knew at WFAN a long time ago when I was just trying to make it. The one difference jobwise is it’s just a confidence level. When I got to Fox I was obviously confident in my ability, but you are also treading lightly because you don’t want to (bleep) up this huge opportunity. You want to make the people that hired you look good.
Q: Was it an adjustment working with these guys — A-Rod, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas — who were such significant players?
A: I am fortunate because they trust me and that’s a big deal that they know I am never going to put them in a bad spot. We get along great. We are friends. It’s also the guys behind the scenes who are so great at making us look great.
Q: Can you describe the A-Rod and David Ortiz relationship?
A: They bust each other’s chops like high school buddies. It’s unbelievable. I am not even like talking about the on-the-camera stuff ’cause that you see, but off the set it’s just constant jabbing. It’s fun, and different than I ever thought it’d be.
Q: What have you learned about those guys that would surprise viewers?
A: How much those guys love the game. I don’t know if that’s the case for every ex-athlete (who) decides to get into this business. I know I’ve come across people who don’t absolutely love it. The cool part is we are in the green room watching the game together and they are yelling at the TV. We don’t care who wins but when things happen — like Justin Turner’s Game 2 home run — it’s like we are at a sports bar. It’s not an act. They are into the games. The only thing missing is a vodka soda for me because everything else is like watching the game with your buddies at a bar. Q: Have you thought about the next step in your career? Calling a World Series, Super Bowl or whatever else? A: Down the road if it presented itself and I got to call something like that, it’d be great. I am totally happy where I am at right now, though. That’s one thing that people in this industry have a hard time with because you are always trying to get to the next best thing, the next level. Making sure you are doing what you can to keep on keeping on. I think it’s very difficult to just be happy where you are. I re-upped with Fox in January and a big part of that was a conversation with my wife and my agent. I am really happy here. If one day if I get to call a Super Bowl obviously that’s awesome, but we have Joe Buck and plenty of other amazing people that if I don’t get to do that, I am truly content.