Over his 20-year tenure with the Los Angeles Angels, Jose Mota built a rapport with the organization and the fanbase that will be difficult to match as the years go on. Mota was a true jack-of-all-trades on Angels’ broadcasts, filling almost every role imaginable and often switching between Spanish and English.
On Feb. 3, Mota announced that he would not be returning to the Angels broadcast team in 2022. While he holds absolutely no ill will towards Bally Sports or the Angels organization, his reasoning had to do with greater opportunities elsewhere.
Mota explained himself in greater detail, saying why he felt now was the perfect time to leave and take on a new challenge, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“The Angels and Bally, they’ve always known what’s in my heart,” Mota said when asked if he would have liked the play-by-play job that once again opened this offseason. “And I’m one — I don’t like to just sit in a comfort zone. I like to be challenged. Some things happen for a reason, and some things don’t happen for a reason. That’s the way I see it.”
Shortly after he announced his departure, it was reported — but not confirmed — that Mota would be joining the L.A. Dodgers broadcast team in 2022, although his role remains to be seen, according to Bill Plunkett of The O.C. Register:
Long-time Angels broadcaster Jose Mota is expected to be one of multiple additions to the Dodgers’ broadcast team for the 2022 season. Mota announced on his Instagram account earlier this week that he was leaving the Angels and Bally Sports West after 20 years without giving any hint at the next step in his career.
The Dodgers — should this be confirmed — are getting one of the most beloved Angels figures in Orange County. Mota has been a staple of Angels broadcasts, and it may feel strange watching a game without his presence.
For the Halos, this is another setback towards finding some consistency in the broadcast booth. In the past calendar years, they have had four separate play-by-play announced. Daron Sutton and Matt Vasgersian split broadcasts for the first half of 2021, while Rich Waltz and Vasgersian did the same after the All-Star Break.
Waltz was not brought back during the offseason, and was replaced by Patrick O’Neal, who will again split time with Vasgersian. Mota and Mark Gubizca were the consistent figures that tied it all together, and now Mota is making the move to Chavez Ravine.
MLBPA rejects mediation request
At this point, it’s unclear when there will even be games for the Angels broadcast booth to call. The league remains entrenched in CBA negotiations with the Players Association, going so far as to request mediation from the United States government.
The Players Association declined this request, believing it to be unnecessary towards the goal of agreeing to a new CBA.