A-Rod, Matt Vasgersian, To replace Boone on ESPN

Mugsy's Jock

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It’s so incredible that my first reaction on reading this was that it was great news. Old A-Rod, bless his heart, is great st this.
 

Brand Name

make hers mark
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Oct 6, 2010
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Moving the Line
Fantastic, genuinely love ARod the analyst. Genuinely can't think of a national guy I like more, although I do like me some Smoltz and Darling. Also fitting that he replaces Boone again, given 14 seasons ago.

But given that, plus another Pats/Eagles Super Bowl, are the Sox set to sweep the Cards in the WS this season now too?
 

soxhop411

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Dec 4, 2009
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Updated title to reflect the other new hire for ESPN, Matt Vasgersian,
 

BoSox Rule

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Vasgergian is horrible. You don’t have to love or believe in every single variation of WAR or new defensive statistic to be good, but he annoyingly goes out of his way constantly to downplay or make fun of any advanced metrics.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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Vaz has a very distinguishable voice. Like Sutcliffe. Unfortunately, the similarities continue. But this makes sense from a national perspective. And it's still an improvement for me on Boone, although partly because of 2003. Never want to hear or see him again quite frankly, even though following year should have resolved this.

LOVE Announcer Arod, too.
 

mauidano

Mai Tais for everyone!
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Aug 21, 2006
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Congratulations on the single most unlikely thread in the entire history of SoSH
How true. Hard to believe what I'm reading and harder to believe that I agree.

Be prepared for the "ultra smooth glossy" A-Rod. And anyone but Boone. Mendoza is passable although I wish ESPN would dial back the over the top "female announcer" angle. Just let her do her job. Matty V is fine. We'll see how the dynamics play out but hoping for the best.
 

PaulinMyrBch

Don't touch his dog food
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I'm always amazed when I listen to Arod that he doesn't get under my skin as an analyst. Nearly every player interview he ever did while playing sounded so contrived and like he was saying what he thought he should say rather than what he truly felt. And I'm not talking about the boiler plate "one game at a time" type stuff.

So if he can stay away from the polished soundbites and just do what he's been doing, I'm good with it.
 

mauidano

Mai Tais for everyone!
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Aug 21, 2006
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Maui
Interesting. I'm in the minority here, but I find his smarmy douchiness so strong that it deafens me to the quality of his analysis.
Oh he will always be smarmy and douchebag. He is a smart baseball guy and gets the TV aspect.
 

Humphrey

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Aug 3, 2010
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Well one think A Rod won't do is eclipse Boone in terms of Yankee "Rumpswab-ishness". Boone laid it on pretty thick,
 

Spacemans Bong

chapeau rose
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Vaz has a very distinguishable voice. Like Sutcliffe. Unfortunately, the similarities continue. But this makes sense from a national perspective. And it's still an improvement for me on Boone, although partly because of 2003. Never want to hear or see him again quite frankly, even though following year should have resolved this.

LOVE Announcer Arod, too.
Vasgersian's call of Rajai Davis's home run in 2016 was so far ahead of anybody else's, including the Indians radio guy, that I am perfectly fine with him.

He's like a Gus Johnson with more tricks in his bag besides yelling. And he wants to be there, unlike other people.
 

AbbyNoho

broke her neck in costa rica
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Jan 20, 2006
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I'm shocked because I'm actually happy to have A-Rod at this job. Never would have guessed I would feel that way.

Vasgersian has been doing "PBP" for years on MLB: The Show -- more than a decade? -- so he's like family in our house.

Edit: Yes, indeed: "Vasgersian is the commentator in every installment of MLB: The Show since its debut in 2006."

Wiki
"Oh, and he McCann't come up with the ball, as the runners advance!"
 

timlinin8th

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Jun 6, 2009
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I agree. I like Vasgersian too. At least the enthusiasm is there.
I have no problem with Vasgersian. He comes across like he genuinely loves the game. I think the biggest problem he has is when he tones down his actual personality (which from interviews I’ve heard where he is allowed to cut loose he’s a pretty sarcastic guy) for national broadcasts its a bit awkward and forced, but he’s got enough knowledge and that distinguishable voice. Vas and Arod are a big step up from usual espn garbage.