FORT MYERS, Fla. – As a player, Jim Rice struck almost as much fear in the hearts of some beat writers and reporters as he did in those of opposing pitchers.

The Boston Red Sox star was not known for his affable ways and genial nature around the media, which had a love-hate relationship with the slugging outfielder-designated hitter.

So it still seems at least ironic that the eight-time major league All-Star and Red Sox Hall of Fame member makes his living as a television baseball analyst for the New England Sports Network.

Hey, if Sterling Sharpe – the former NFL star wide receiver who didn’t talk to the press for much of his playing career – can land a job as a studio analyst for ESPN, why not Rice?

The 1978 American League MVP seems genuinely happy and content with his post-boys of summer life.

“I don’t miss it at all. I played 15 seasons and now I’m out of the game,” said the 52-year-old analyst, who has maintained his association with the Red Sox after retiring in 1989. “I just come down and mainly do PR work. We have functions we attend. I just came off a five-day cruise and it’s mainly just entertainment before I start up my job with NESN again.”

Rice, who arrived back at City of Palms Park last weekend, is now in his 11th year as a special assignment instructor and 33rd overall as an employee of the Red Sox organization.

He borrows heavily from his experiences as a player when offering criticism and analysis in the NESN studios.

“What you try to do, if you played the game, is remember that these guys are human,” said Rice, still sporting his familiar facial hair, which is now tinged with streaks of silver and gray on the beard near the chin. “They’re not trying to make mistakes. Even though they’re making big dollars, a lot of times you go out there and you’re going to fail. You have sympathy for the guys.”

The 6-foot-2 Rice, who is still an intimidating presence, says it’s all a matter of keeping things in perspective.

“You put it in terms of everyday life. Everyone who has a job does it every day and he or she isn’t the same person every day,” he explained. “Some days they’ll feel great and others someone’ll say something that makes them angry. Same thing with baseball. You’re going to fail, but you’re not trying to.”

For the record, fellow Red Sox Hall of Famer and special assignment instructor Johnny Pesky says Rice’s sullen reputation around reporters was overblown.

“He’s always been great to me and I’ve never seen him act badly with anyone,” he said.

Rice and wife Corine live in Andover, Mass., where they’ve resided since 1975. The Anderson, S.C., native would prefer a warmer part of the country, but his wife loves New England, where the Rices raised son Chauncy (25) and daughter Carissa (22).

“I’m not a city guy and I’m not a winter person, but it grew on my wife,” Rice said. “I love Boston during the summer, but the winter is the only time I can play golf and you can’t do that there.

She loves it there, though, and she sacrificed for me [during his playing career] so I’m doing the same for her. If she wants to stay there, we’ll stay there.”

Sox take a different swing

Maybe the start of the season Sunday will herald the end of the Red Sox World Series hangover, but their 15 minutes of fame has lasted a lot longer.

The latest case in point is The Golf Channel’s Big Break All-Star Challenge, in which 10 highly-skilled golfers usually compete against each other in a variety of sport-related challenges that determine the winner of a chance to compete in selection pro tournaments.

One of the latest episodes features Red Sox players Kevin Millar, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and David Wells involved in competitions such as long drive and the “glass-breaking” challenge. The episode first aired Tuesday and Wednesday, March 22-23, but will be repeated at various points this spring. Check local listings for the next air date.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600 or at aneff@bangordailynews.com