Yankees: Like it or not, A-Rod and Aaron Boone forever linked

For the second time in the last 14 years, former Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez has been pegged to replace Aaron Boone, this time as an analyst for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball telecast.

An already strange offseason gets a little more bizarre. On Tuesday, it was announced that former 14-time All-Star Alex Rodriguez would join ESPN, as part of its Sunday Night Baseball coverage, taking the seat vacated by now Yankees manager Aaron Boone.

Rodriguez, who has proven to be one of the brightest analysts on television, will do a Michael Strahan in 2018, pulling double duty, as he will also remain with Fox during the MLB Postseason.

The only remaining piece from the former ESPN Sunday Night crew is Jessica Mendoza, who will appear alongside Rodriguez and play-by-play man Matt Vasgersian, replacing Dan Shulman.

For the millennials reading this piece (do we like that term?) you’ll immediately recognize Vasgersian’s signature voice from the PlayStation game, ‘MLB The Show.’

In an ironic twist of fate, this will be the second time (and perhaps not the last) that A-Rod replaces Boone.

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The first coming in 2004, shortly after Boone torn his ACL during an offseason pickup basketball game. That winter, general manager Brian Cashman acquired Rodriguez for Alfonso Soriano, and the rest is history.

Love him or hate him, Rodriguez was a vital cog in the Yankees’ machine that won the 2009 World Series. Slugging 351 home runs and 1096 RBI during his 12-year run in the Bronx, noteworthy news forever seems to be attracted to Rodriguez’s lightning rod-like quality.

As if Rodriguez’s public persona and subsequent renaissance haven’t been on enough of an upswing, which includes a nearly two-year-long relationship with the incomparable Jennifer Lopez, Rodriguez will reportedly appear in and produce a series of specials for ESPN later this year.

Per the official statement, A-Rod released to the media:

"“I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my broadcasting career. It’s an exciting time in baseball and now I get that front row seat to tell that story every Sunday night on ESPN as well as calling my fourth post season on Fox where I started this journey.”"

It’s pretty surreal to comprehend in the year 2018, Alex Rodriguez is now a beloved television personality and The Captain, Derek Jeter is public enemy No. 1 down in Miami. Oh, how the tide has turned.

Next: State of the Yanks' system: Catchers

For those looking forward to watching the three-time MVP in action, his first telecast with ESPN takes place on Thursday, March 29, when the Giants face off against the Dodgers in LA on Opening Day.