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 best known for calling baseball games. Many people also know him as the voice of the popular video game series MLB: The Show.
Vasgersian is an announcer for the Los Angeles Angels baseball team. He also works as a studio host for MLB Network and FOX Sports. Over his long career, he has announced for many different teams and networks. These include ESPN, NBC Sports, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the San Diego Padres.
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Early Life and Fun Facts
Matt Vasgersian was born in Berkeley, California. He grew up in the nearby town of Moraga. He is of Armenian descent. Before he was a famous sportscaster, he was a child actor. He joined the Screen Actors Guild when he was only seven years old.
Vasgersian appeared in an episode of the TV show The Streets of San Francisco. He was also in the movie The Candidate with the actor Robert Redford.
As a college student, he appeared on a few game shows. He was a contestant on The New Dating Game and won a trip. He also competed on Supermarket Sweep, where he and his partner won the final "Big Sweep" round.
Broadcasting Career
Starting in Baseball
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Vasgersian began his career in baseball in 1991. He started by announcing for Minor League teams. This is where players train before making it to the major leagues. He worked for several teams, including affiliates of the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres.
In 1997, at age 29, he got his first big job in the major leagues. He became the play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers. A play-by-play announcer describes the action of the game as it happens. He worked with the Brewers for five years.
From 2002 to 2008, he was the main announcer for the San Diego Padres. After seven seasons with the Padres, he left to join the new MLB Network.
Working for National Networks
MLB Network
Vasgersian was one of the first hosts hired by MLB Network when it launched in 2009. He has hosted many of its popular shows, like MLB Tonight and Quick Pitch. He also calls games for the network's MLB Network Showcase. For a while, he was a co-host of the morning show MLB Central.
Fox Sports
Vasgersian also worked for Fox Sports for many years. He announced NFL games and college football bowl games. He was also a regular announcer for the Game of the Week. In 2015, he and his partner John Smoltz called the World Series for international viewers.
ESPN
From 2018 to 2021, Vasgersian was the main announcer for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. This is one of the most-watched baseball games each week. He worked alongside former baseball star Alex Rodriguez. He left ESPN in 2021 to spend more time on his other jobs.
Los Angeles Angels
In 2021, Vasgersian became an announcer for the Los Angeles Angels. He joined the broadcast team on Bally Sports West. Because of his work with MLB Network, he shares the job with other announcers. He often calls games remotely from the MLB Network studios in New Jersey.
Other Work
Voice of 'MLB: The Show'
For many young baseball fans, Vasgersian is most famous for his voice in the MLB: The Show video games. He was the main commentator for the game from its first version in 2006 until MLB The Show 21. He worked with several different partners in the virtual broadcast booth over the years.
TV and Other Sports
Besides baseball, Vasgersian has announced many other events. He called ski jumping and freestyle skiing for NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympic Games. He also announced for the XFL, a professional football league, in 2001.
He has hosted several game shows, including World Series of Blackjack and Celebrity Blackjack. He even provided commentary for an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event one time.
