I could never watch an Angels' broadcast with these two in the booth, so for me, this comes as good news.
jwm
latimes.com
Angels oust Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler
Veteran broadcasters are out as the club and Fox Sports shake up announcing teams for next season.
By Diane Pucin
November 25, 2009
Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler won't be broadcasting Angels games anymore.
Physioc and Hudler have been told jointly by FS West and the Angels that they will not be part of the Angels' on-air team next season.
A statement by Fox and the Angels said that Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza will be the television voices for the team on FS West and KCOP next season, and Terry Smith and Jose Mota will do the radio on KLAA AM 830.
Physioc, 54, who has called baseball for 25 years for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and ESPN, said the news was "a total shock. The story I was given is that the team and the network wish to go in another direction. It was a very short meeting. I love the Angels as an organization and I wanted to finish my career with this team."
Physioc said he still will broadcast Pacific 10 Conference basketball for Fox this season, but that he is in the market for another baseball job.
Physioc spent 14 years with the Angels, making him the team's longest-tenured broadcaster.
Hudler, 49, went directly from the meeting where he lost his job to a charity engagement at the Second Harvest Food Bank, an appearance that had been scheduled for him by the Angels. Last season was Hudler's 11th as a team broadcaster.
"I've enjoyed the ins and outs of broadcasting," he said. "I would love to keep doing that. But I'm thankful for the opportunity the Angels have given me."
Hudler also thanked owner Arte Moreno for sticking with him after Hudler was arrested for possession of marijuana at the Kansas City airport during an Angels trip in August 2003. Hudler was suspended for the rest of the season but returned in 2004.
"Arte and the team stayed with me and that was a blessing, that the Angels allowed me to keep doing my job for so many years," Hudler said.
Hudler, who has a son with Down's syndrome, also said he appreciated that the Angels "gave me a visible umbrella for getting involved in charity efforts that not only help my son but also others."
Hudler, nicknamed "Wonder Dog," was notable for his sometimes over-the-top enthusiasm for the Angels. When Tim Salmon was starring for the team, Hudler would say after a Salmon play, "King Salmon went upstream."
Tim Mead, Angels vice president of communications, said the team would have no comment other than the statement, which said:
"We are going in a different direction next season and will use single announcing teams on TV and radio that will include Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza on Fox Sports West and KCOP and Terry Smith and Jose Mota calling the action on radio (KLAA AM 830). We believe this approach will create greater consistency on our telecasts, as well as a deeper familiarity with fans and viewers. We would like to thank Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc for their contributions through the years and we wish each of them well."
jwm
latimes.com
Angels oust Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler
Veteran broadcasters are out as the club and Fox Sports shake up announcing teams for next season.
By Diane Pucin
November 25, 2009
Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler won't be broadcasting Angels games anymore.
Physioc and Hudler have been told jointly by FS West and the Angels that they will not be part of the Angels' on-air team next season.
A statement by Fox and the Angels said that Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza will be the television voices for the team on FS West and KCOP next season, and Terry Smith and Jose Mota will do the radio on KLAA AM 830.
Physioc, 54, who has called baseball for 25 years for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and ESPN, said the news was "a total shock. The story I was given is that the team and the network wish to go in another direction. It was a very short meeting. I love the Angels as an organization and I wanted to finish my career with this team."
Physioc said he still will broadcast Pacific 10 Conference basketball for Fox this season, but that he is in the market for another baseball job.
Physioc spent 14 years with the Angels, making him the team's longest-tenured broadcaster.
Hudler, 49, went directly from the meeting where he lost his job to a charity engagement at the Second Harvest Food Bank, an appearance that had been scheduled for him by the Angels. Last season was Hudler's 11th as a team broadcaster.
"I've enjoyed the ins and outs of broadcasting," he said. "I would love to keep doing that. But I'm thankful for the opportunity the Angels have given me."
Hudler also thanked owner Arte Moreno for sticking with him after Hudler was arrested for possession of marijuana at the Kansas City airport during an Angels trip in August 2003. Hudler was suspended for the rest of the season but returned in 2004.
"Arte and the team stayed with me and that was a blessing, that the Angels allowed me to keep doing my job for so many years," Hudler said.
Hudler, who has a son with Down's syndrome, also said he appreciated that the Angels "gave me a visible umbrella for getting involved in charity efforts that not only help my son but also others."
Hudler, nicknamed "Wonder Dog," was notable for his sometimes over-the-top enthusiasm for the Angels. When Tim Salmon was starring for the team, Hudler would say after a Salmon play, "King Salmon went upstream."
Tim Mead, Angels vice president of communications, said the team would have no comment other than the statement, which said:
"We are going in a different direction next season and will use single announcing teams on TV and radio that will include Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza on Fox Sports West and KCOP and Terry Smith and Jose Mota calling the action on radio (KLAA AM 830). We believe this approach will create greater consistency on our telecasts, as well as a deeper familiarity with fans and viewers. We would like to thank Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc for their contributions through the years and we wish each of them well."
