FOX SPORTS WELCOMES BACK BIG PERSONALITY PIERZYNSKI

All-Star Catcher to Provide FOX MLB Game Analysis, Insight for MLB WHIPAROUND

LOS ANGELES - Two-time MLB All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski joins the FOX Sports broadcast team full-time for the 2017 FOX MLB season, it was announced today by FOX Sports President, Production and Executive Producer, John Entz.

"We love having A.J. on the FOX Sports team," Entz said. "He's confident in his opinions and insight and he doesn't hold back or shy away from topics he feels strongly about. Fans want an honest approach to what's happening on the field, in the locker room and away from the game, and A.J. gives you just that, and has a lot of fun doing it."

Pierzynski works his first game of the 2017 FOX MLB season Wednesday, April 5 (7:00 PM ET), teaming with Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Ken Rosenthal (reporter) for a matchup between the N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

Hired by FOX Sports initially to be an analyst for the 2011 MLB postseason, Pierzynski joined the FOX Sports team again in 2012, 2013 and 2015. In 2017, Pierzynski will provide game analysis, as well as make regular appearances on FS1's MLB WHIPAROUND.

"With Opening Day right around the corner, this is always a great time of year," Pierzynski said. "I'm really looking forward to what should be a very exciting MLB season and to being a part of the FOX Sports team again."

A career .280 hitter with more than 2,000 hits, Pierzynski began his major league career with the Minnesota Twins in 1998, also playing for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. A two-time MLB All-Star (2002, 2006), the left-handed hitter won a World Series title with the White Sox in 2005 and garnered the Silver Slugger Award in 2012.

Pierzynski joins a 2017 FOX MLB team that has signed several former players over the last several weeks, including Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher, Pete Rose and Frank Thomas.

ABOUT FOX SPORTS

FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century Fox's wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1, FS2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are FOX's interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network.