OC Register: Rich Waltz will not return to Angels TV broadcasts

[AngelsWin.com]

The Angels will be making another change in their television broadcast team.

Rich Waltz, who had been a part of the play-by-play duo on Bally Sports West, confirmed Wednesday morning that he was informed last month that he will not be a part of the crew in 2022.

There is no word on who will replace Waltz, although there are likely to be fewer opportunities in that position this season because Matt Vasgersian is expected to do more games. Vasgersian was working for the Angels, in addition to serving as the voice for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball and working for MLB Network. He will no longer work for ESPN, which allows him to do more Angels games.

Analyst Mark Gubicza has worked alongside four play-by-play announcers in the past two seasons, including his final season with longtime partner Victor Rojas in 2020. Rojas left after that season to become the general manager of the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate near his home in Texas.

At the start of the 2021 season, Vasgersian and Daron Sutton split the play-by-play duties. The Angels and Bally Sports West let Sutton go at the All-Star break, and Waltz worked most of the second half. Patrick O’Neal, normally a part of the pre- and post-game shows, did play-by-play for nine games in September.

José Mota was a part of the broadcast team, working mostly from field level, throughout the season.

Waltz said by phone Wednesday that he was surprised when he was told he would not be back.

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“The feedback from both the team and the network was very positive all the way through the end of September,” Waltz said. “But at the same time, it was a pretty fluid situation. I’m disappointed because it’s a great group of people. At the end of the day, they’re looking for something else. I hope they find it.”

Waltz had previously worked as the television voice of the Florida Marlins. He also continues to do college football and basketball games for CBS.

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