While Matt Vasgersian serves as the Los Angeles Angels primary play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports West, his crowded schedule will only allow him to do a limited number of games. Where the Angels and Bally Sports West have struggled is finding their secondary person to call games alongside Mark Gubicza and Jose Mota.
Rich Waltz served as this secondary play-by-play figure during the second half of the season. It was their third person at the position in just one calendar year. Victor Rojas left to become the general manager of a Texas Rangers Minor League team, and Daron Sutton only lasted to the All-Star Break in 2021.
Now, Waltz has been informed that he will not return as the Angels’ secondary play-by-play broadcaster in 2022. Waltz spoke publicly about the decision, acting graciously despite a disappointing outcome, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“Look, I’m really proud of my work. I’m really happy with the way it went,” Waltz said Tuesday. “I’ve got no regrets. I’m disappointed it was just three months. But I’m thankful for the opportunity and I had a great time. And I’m hopeful there’s a team out there that needs a voice.”
While Waltz was advocating for himself to find a new position as well, saying that he hopes to become the voice of a different team, he did praise Angels fans, saying that they deserved a little more consistency in the booth.
“I hope they find what they’re looking for because I think Angels fans deserve it,” Waltz said. “It’s a great fan base. It was fun to be part of it.”
Waltz performed admirably in his position given that he was brought to the team with little warning. He admitted in his opening broadcasts that his knowledge about the Angels was lacking and he was learning on the fly. His chemistry with Gubicza and Mota allowed him to flourish despite that.
But this now puts the Angels and Bally Sports West on yet another search for someone to take the games that Vasgersian has to miss. Luckily, Vasgersian is planning to take on a higher number of games than he did in 2021 after revealing that he is leaving the Sunday Night Baseball booth on ESPN.
It hasn’t been revealed exactly how many games Vasgersian will do, and perhaps they won’t make a new hire until they can figure that out.
2022 ZiPS projection calls Angels borderline playoff team
The new play-by-play broadcaster will have a legitimate chance to call games for a team on the rise, as the Angels are finally expected to make some noise in the AL West. ZiPS has projected that — should they stay healthy — they are the team most likely to give the Houston Astros a run for their money.