Rex Hudler, who starred at Bullard High School and became a first-round New York Yankees draft pick in 1978, is what you might call a “baseball lifer.”

After 21 years as a professional player — including 13 MLB seasons and a year in Japan — he turned to the broadcast booth.

As hard as it might be to believe but “Rex the Wonderdog” is now 64 years old.

Hudler joined the Los Angeles Angels radio and television teams as a color commentator when his playing days ended. After 10 years with the Angels, he joined the Kansas City Royals booth in 2012.

Hudler took time out from his job as a Royals color analyst before a recent game to reflect on how growing up in Fresno shaped his baseball career.