Former SportsCenter anchor/political pundit Keith Olbermann is getting back into the sports game. The outspoken baseball fanatic will serve as a special co-host of MLB Network's new morning show Hot Stove next Tuesday and Wednesday with regular hosts Harold Reynolds and Matt Vasgersian taking time off for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Olbermann made his debut on Hot Stove Thursday, taking part in a roundtable discussing the AL MVP award along with Reynolds, Joe Posnanski, and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo. Olbermann also called into the show on Friday morning to discuss Miguel Cabrera's MVP win. In both appearances, he showed the traits that made him a popular host on ESPN, as well as a very divisive figure on MSNBC and Current TV.

MLB Network is a natural match for the baseball-fanaticized Olbermann that we've speculated he could land at in the past, and in my mind, his stint on Hot Stove seems to be almost a trial run for him getting a show of his own. MLB Network is doing a great job in diversifying their lineup in the offseason, and continuing to mix things up by interjecting Olbermann and Bob Costas (who also called into the show on Friday) is a step in the right direction. If people look past Olbermann's political biases and simply take in his passion for baseball, they'll realize he's a thoughtful, intelligent fan of the game that could serve MLB Network in the future.

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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