Matt Vasgersian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matt Vasgersian |
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Vasgersian at Citizens Bank Park in 2022
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| Los Angeles Angels | |
| Broadcaster | |
| Born: September 28, 1967 Berkeley, California, U.S. |
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As Broadcaster
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Matt Vasgersian (born September 28, 1967) is an American sportscaster and television host. He is well-known for his exciting play-by-play announcing. Matt currently works for the Los Angeles Angels baseball team. He is also a studio host for MLB Network and FOX Sports.
In the past, Matt has announced games for the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) on Fox. He also worked for ESPN's MLB coverage. He covered the Olympic Games for NBC Sports. Matt was also a commentator for the popular MLB: The Show video game series. Before his national roles, he announced games for the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Diego Padres.
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Early Life and First Steps
Matt Vasgersian was born in Berkeley, California. He grew up in a nearby town called Moraga. His family comes from Armenia. Matt started his career in media very early. He became a child actor at just seven years old.
He appeared in a TV show called The Streets of San Francisco. He was also in the movie The Candidate. This movie starred Robert Redford and was filmed in Berkeley. Matt went to Campolindo High School in Moraga. He then studied at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. While in college, he was on The New Dating Game. He won a trip to Telluride, Colorado. He also appeared on Supermarket Sweep, where he won the main prize.
Matt's Broadcasting Career
Matt Vasgersian has been working in baseball since 1991. He started by announcing games for six years in the Minor Leagues. These are smaller baseball leagues before the big leagues.
Early Baseball Announcing
Matt began his career with a Chicago Cubs team in Huntington, West Virginia. He also announced games for the High Desert Mavericks. Over the next few years, he worked for different minor league teams. This included the Syracuse Chiefs and the Tucson Toros.
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When he was 29, Matt became the play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers. He worked there from 1997 to 2001. After that, he joined the San Diego Padres from 2002 to 2008. He spent seven seasons with the Padres. Then, he announced he would join MLB Network.
In November 2008, it was shared that Matt would not return to the Padres. He wanted to try new things. Soon after, it was reported that he signed with MLB Network. He became their first studio host.
Working with Fox Sports
Matt joined Fox Sports in 2006. From 2006 to 2008, he announced NFL games. He also called BCS college football games. This included the Orange Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl.
Starting in 2007, he also worked on Fox MLB telecasts. He announced games for the Game of the Week. In 2012, he started hosting the MLB pregame show. He still called games sometimes when others were busy. In 2014, he returned to the broadcast booth. He worked with John Smoltz on postseason games. In 2015, Matt and Smoltz called their first World Series for MLB International. This meant fans outside the U.S. could hear them.
Matt returned to Fox in 2022. He filled in as a studio host during the MLB postseason.
Hosting on MLB Network
Matt Vasgersian has been a studio host at MLB Network since it started on January 1, 2009. He appears regularly on shows like MLB Tonight. This show has won awards. He also works on "Quick Pitch" and "Hot Stove." Matt also hosts Baseball IQ, MLB Network's first game show.
During the baseball season, Matt calls play-by-play for MLB Network Showcase games. He called a game in the 2012 American League Division Series. He also called a game in the 2013 American League Division Series.
In April 2022, MLB Network announced a new show. Matt became the host of Pregame Spread. This show talks about sports betting.
Time with ESPN
On January 23, 2018, it was announced that Matt would join ESPN. He became the new play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Baseball. He worked with Alex Rodriguez. Matt continued his role at MLB Network at the same time.
On October 6, 2021, Matt left ESPN. He wanted to focus on his roles with MLB Network and the Angels. His last game for ESPN was the 2021 American League Wild Card Game.
Announcing for the Los Angeles Angels
On March 11, 2021, it was announced that Matt would become the new play-by-play voice for the Los Angeles Angels. He joined the team's broadcasts on Bally Sports West. He worked with José Mota and Mark Gubicza. He also kept his jobs at MLB Network.
Matt returned to the Angels' booth for the 2022 season. He was able to call more games for them. For the 2023 season, Matt moved to a secondary play-by-play role. This was because of his work with MLB Network.
Other Cool Projects
Matt Vasgersian first became known nationally for announcing the XFL in 2001. He has hosted several TV shows. These include the game show Sports Geniuses (2000). He also hosted World Series of Blackjack (2004) and Celebrity Blackjack (2004). He even hosted the International World Championships of Rock Paper Scissors (2004)!
Matt also announced USC Trojans men's basketball games. He has worked on an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) broadcast too.
Matt was the commentator for the MLB: The Show video game series. He was in every game from 2006 until 2021. He worked with other baseball experts in the game.
He has also helped with NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympic Games. He announced baseball and softball in 2004. He covered ski jumping in 2006 and 2010. He also announced freestyle skiing in 2014. He hosted the 2008 Summer Games coverage on USA Network.
Matt is also a regular guest on a radio show in Milwaukee. He has even performed as a singer in a rock band! Matt is also the play-by-play voice for MLB International. This means fans in Canada and other countries hear him. He started this role with the 2015 MLB All-Star Game and the World Series.
Images for kids
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Vasgersian at Citizens Bank Park in 2022
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Matt Vasgersian in the dugout before a 2008 Padres game.
