The Los Angeles Angels’ broadcast team for Bally Sports West had a different look this past season as Patrick O’Neal and Matt Vasgersian split duties as play-by-by announcer alongside color commentator Mark Gubicza.
Vasgersian made his debut during the 2021 season but has called games remotely from his home in New Jersey due to his commitment to MLB Network. O’Neal replaced Rich Waltz, who wasn’t brought back for the 2022 campaign.
The Angels’ broadcast booth is now set to undergo further changes as New York Mets radio announcer Wayne Randazzo reportedly will take over play-by-play duties on Bally Sports West next season, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
The Angels will have a new TV voice. Wayne Randazzo has left his post as a Mets radio announcer and is expected to take over the play-by-play duties on Bally Sports West, a source told The Athletic. The deal has not yet been finalized.
Randazzo will be joined by Gubicza, who has been part of the Angels’ broadcast team for nearly two decades:
He’ll be joined in the booth by longtime color commentator Mark Gubicza, who said on Twitter earlier this offseason that he planned to return in 2023.
Randazzo had been the Mets’ full-time play-by-play broadcaster for WCBS since 2019. He also worked on the Apple TV telecasts last season and most notably was on the call for Albert Pujols’ 700th career home run at Dodger Stadium.
With Randazzo’s expected hiring, it is unclear if O’Neal and/or Vasgersian will return to the Angels’ broadcast booth in 2023.
Vasgersian was frustrated over the technical difficulties he encountered while calling games remotely this year, so it is possible he will not be back. O’Neal previously worked as the pregame and postgame host on Bally Sports West before his promotion to play-by-play announcer.
Phil Nevin making effort to form strong relationship with Angels players
As Angels manager Phil Nevin prepares for his first full year with the team, he has made an effort to expand on the relationships he created with his players this past season.
“I’ve gone around and I met with all of our players and tried to reach out to each one,” Nevin recently said. “I was in the same town, was in Chicago for a football game a few weeks back. Took Max (Stassi) out to dinner. He’s in a great place right now.
“Those relationships we created those last three months of the season that I thought were invaluable to our group. Want to keep those going, whether it’s through text messages getting some face-to-face time with guys. And I think it’s important as you guys got to know me over the last few months.
“For me that’s huge. That clubhouse and that group and the relationships we’ve all created. I want them to keep being strong.
“I know the players have text chains and things like that. And we do as coaches. And I do with my players. And that’s just the way I think that — I just think it’s something that makes us stronger.”
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