Matt Diaz has had all of two three-game series on the set of “Braves Live” under his belt this season as an analyst for the Braves pre and post-game TV shows. But if it already seems like a natural fit? It’s because it is.
Not only did Diaz spend seven of his 11 years in the major leagues with the Braves and give the media great insights from in front of his locker, Diaz grew up a Tigers fan and personal family friend of a legendary baseball broadcaster: the late Ernie Harwell, voice of the Detroit Tigers.
Diaz grew up in Lakeland, Fla., spring training home of the Tigers, and his father Ed, a minister, led a Bible study for baseball players in the area, whether it was the Tigers, Reds, Royals or Red Sox. Harwell had a special place in the hearts of Diaz and his three brothers.
“He treated us like grandkids,” said Diaz, who used to arrive to the Tigers radio booth to find boxes filled with foam fingers and other Tigers giveaways Harwell had saved for the Diaz boys. “One time when we were in the booth in spring training, he turned around and told my dad, ‘Ed, don’t let anyone know how easy this is.’ He goes, ‘It’s just a three-hour conversation about a baseball game.’ And so I try to remember that when I’m doing it. I’m enjoying it.”
Diaz retired as a player after last season, at age 35. He hurt his knee early last season with the Marlins and played only 10 games at the major league level. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next, other than be a full-time father to his children Nathan, 7, Anna 6, and Jake 3.
But his future plans crystallized one night at a Tampa Bay Lightning game with his wife Leslee, when they was relaxing at the Sky Lounge during a break between periods.
“A guy I played minor league ball with, with the Rays, who signed for about $5 million and made it to the big leagues for about a year was serving drinks behind the bar,” Diaz said. “And I said ‘That’s my sign.’ I don’t want to get into that situation.”
That was about the same time Diaz saw the ESPN documentary “Broke” about millionaire athletes who struggle to manage their money. Diaz, who had at one time interviewed for a job at Morgan Stanley when he thought his baseball career was all but over, interviewed and took a job with his financial advisor Chuck Foss.
Working in finance is Diaz’s new day job. And he takes care of the baseball itch by coaching his son’s baseball team and dabbling in broadcasting.
Diaz has a regular gig on Sirius XM Radio’s Fantasy Baseball show. And he interviewed for a studio job at FoxSports1 in Los Angeles, only to find out he wasn’t quite ready for that. Doing fill-in work with Braves Live has been a happy medium.
“Radio is easier because that is just a conversation about baseball,” Diaz said. “TV, it’s a conversation about baseball, but you have to make eye contact, and I’m struggling knowing who to make eye contact with - which camera. But the fun parts are being tied back into baseball. I get to be a fan.”
Diaz said it’s been a way to keep his family involved in baseball. And it helps him justify a lot of time spent watching the Direct TV package he has at home where he can watch every major league game on at once on his 55-inch TV. He usually keeps the audio on the Braves’ game.
His 7-year-old Nathan has also helped his great-grandmother, who lives with the Diaz family, to learn how to use the package on her 27-inch TV, making it that much more of a family affair.
“She’s 90 and he steers her around, ‘Which game do you want?’” Diaz said. “So she’ll watch it with him and they’ll talk baseball. It’s funny. It’s great. … It’s helped keep the family in baseball.”
Right now Diaz is happy to have found a way to balance being home with his family in Winter Haven and still getting his baseball — and broadcasting — fix.
He envisions doing more baseball broadcasting in the future. But for now, being a fill-in for former Braves Brian Jordan and Paul Byrd on Braves Live? That feels about right to one of the Braves’ best bench players in recent years.
“I know I’m third man off the bench,” said Diaz, smiling. “I’m used to that role. Just be ready. Be ready when they call.”
