If you google "Steve Physioc" you will not have to scroll down to be treated to links to MY rants about the longtime sub-par announcer for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The best day of the offseason, in my opinion, was the day the Angels let Steve Physioc go. I had my say, but let me have it one last time to celebrate the impending absence of the misery he brought us.
The Angels have replaced the Grand Phyzzard with Victor Rojas. In one simple exchange in the booth tonight, Victor Rojas revealed a quality of character and intellect that places him eons ahead of Steve Physioc.
During his 2nd game as an Angels announcer, in the bottom of the 1st inning tonight with Hideki Matsui batting, Rojas and his partner Mark Gubicza were discussing the Angels new power hitter. Gubicza waxed effusive about Matsui's Homerun totals. Unlike Physioc, Rojas was hardly behind the microphone to be a homer to the team. He pointed out that Matsui's advantage of playing half of his games at Yankee Stadium might have inflated those totals a bit. Need I remind people of Physioc's endless boosterism of our players? Had I not been immune to his charms, Physioc's waxing over Steve Finley in 2005 would have convinced me that the aging outfielder was the second coming of Mickey Mantle. No matter how wrong Frosty' on field mediocrity proved Phyzz wrong, our announcer always broke out the pom-poms for the big free agent signing ahead of what seemed like every at-bat.
But it gets better about Rojas. Within two minutes of the Matsui discussion, Matsui's numbers are displayed across the screen and Gubi politely gloats over the fact that Matsui's HR totals on the road last season were equitably ahead of his bombs at home.
What would Physioc have done in the face of being shown that he was incorrect in his stated hunch over this minor quibble? Steve Physioc would have yammered a self-centered rationalization to minimize any possibility that his being incorrect was of consequence. He would beat the subject to death over how the consequence of 18 homers on the road over 15 at home is not a stat to be held against Mister Nitpicky-Perfection. He would yammer us into Phyzzmission at the expense of discussing the game.
So tonight, when presented with the facts, what was Victor Rojas' response?
Silence.
A refreshing gust of silence indicating the character of a man who knows he is here to talk about baseball, not himself.
Prayers. Answered.
0 recs | 68 comments
Now to be taken completely seriously
we need to replace Gubi.
I dont HATE him, but I dont LOVE him.
Rojas his a total badass ninja though.
PhiSlamma - April 2, 2010
yup^
Funke5ive - April 2, 2010
Replace Gubi with Hud
Put Gubi on the Postgame with BillyMac
red floyd - April 2, 2010
I liked Rojas on MLB Network and was relieved when he was announced as our new broadcaster. I was worried that I might not like Gubi as much without Rory, but so far, so good….
daze - April 2, 2010
So this is about Phyz.
Rojas didn’t impress me. Gubi sounded lost without Rory. I’m sure I’ll change my opinion about them as the season progresses, but this is just how I feel now.
I really wish Terry would be calling the TV broadcasts.
clover_black - April 2, 2010
Terry is excellent on the radio.
A real throw-back. Don’t mess with success.
Slasher52 - April 2, 2010
lighting up the airwaves on am 830!
s u c c e s s !
clover_black - April 2, 2010
Terry + Rory was the BEST COMBO EVER
red floyd - April 2, 2010
This was a combo I liked.
Markas and Smith seemed to play off of each other pretty well. And while I feel that Hud should’ve been kept around, this was the combo that should’ve been given a chance. But as Rory is gone, I guess the point is moot.
halofolife - April 3, 2010
Huh?
I must have been watching some other game. In that one, the announcer was nearly a non-factor for the whole game. No voice, no presence, no knowledge.
SurfCityTom - April 2, 2010
That could be due to the technical difficulties that plagued channel 13.
Teixeira Who? - April 3, 2010
The HD broadcast was an exercise in ocular torture.
Downing Rules - April 3, 2010
so that's why
you’ve hated Phys for so long… kinda funny—the guy was paid to talk, not sit quiet, and you hold it against him for years… reminds me of a musician friend of mine who hates Metallica because of Hetfield’s grunting “yeeeuh!” after every ending line. seems pretty trivial to me, but I guess some people get their panties bunched over the little stuff.
i’ve was pretty fearful of this new guy, but tonight was good. he made me laugh a few times, so I’m relieved I don’t have to mute him like I did with Rory. I like Gubi, but he’s no Rex. In the least, rex should have taken Mota’s job, and should have been available for pre/post game stuff at the rock pile with Billy Mac…
feNOMINAL - April 2, 2010
I hated Phyzz because when he was calling the game on the radio I never knew what was going on. The hallmark of someone who spent too long under the TV lights I guess.
AlanFalcon - April 3, 2010 via mobile
i have yet to hear my first game with Rojas
hopefully tomorrow…
besides Rev (or even including him), what do you all think of him?
howiestheman - April 2, 2010
he's not bad, but
Games are a lot more boring without Hud.
Funke5ive - April 2, 2010
maybe it's just me
maybe i’m the lame one, but I miss the Hud already.
Funke5ive - April 2, 2010
It's getting borderline bizarre
your affection for Hud.
Hud was schizophrenic on the mic with the mind of a labrador retriever. Probably the complete opposite of what you would want in a professional announcer. Mind you, he is universally disliked by legions of nerd gamers, as he is one of the featured announcers on the video game MLB The Show 2010.
Nice guy, but can’t call a game. Not like this matters, as you will write a few hundred more comments about how you miss Hud…. and your binky… and your blankie.
clover_black - April 2, 2010
I'm willing to meet you at Throwbacks to discuss this Face 2 Face
You Down?
Funke5ive - April 2, 2010
only if you bring Hud and a quart of canola oil.
clover_black - April 2, 2010
WTF CB
meet me. BITCH
Funke5ive - April 2, 2010
you seem like a funky dude.
but i don’t meet up for dates with other guys on the net. its a good policy to live by.
clover_black - April 3, 2010
LOL
Actually, CB…. I Can’t lie
I like most of your post’s. you are funny.
BUT
I still miss Hud!
And you r still a jerk.
Funke5ive - April 3, 2010
hah.
its all love. and I appreciate your passion in wanting to wrestle me in honor of the Hudster.
chivalry isnt dead.
clover_black - April 3, 2010
word
Funke5ive - April 3, 2010
This was a very strange conversation
Slasher52 - April 3, 2010
word
WiHaloFan - April 3, 2010
lol
i’m not always happy with my alcoholism.
Funke5ive - April 5, 2010
I have a raging man crush on Hud
Teixeira Who? - April 3, 2010
not that there's anything wrong with that.
neochoa - April 3, 2010
Of course not.
halofan4life - April 3, 2010
I agree. I sort of miss the old rascal
I laugh every time I think of when Rex started singing “Folsom Prison Blues” (I hear the train a-coming…" on the radio. Terry cut him off and said, “Rex we told you – NO SINGING ON AIR”
and of course he made some excuse about just being so excited…
And that was what was great about Rex. So much excitement, and you sort of need that over the course of 162 games…
river-z - April 3, 2010
Is it too late to ask: Bring back Hud! ???
Yes it is
I did my best to get him back….
Raaddad - April 3, 2010
Equally as agreed.
I may not watch games due to lacking Hud. Seriously.
Thanks, Arte.
shiftyeyedgoat - April 3, 2010
LOVE him
im not 5 years old so i appreciate the more professional approach
ihearhowie2.0 - April 2, 2010
talking about Hud
not phizz
Funke5ive - April 5, 2010
I like Rojas ... so far ...
Losing Rory was a terrible blow, for me, as I felt that he was really starting to own the booth. He was comfortable with all the different partners he was paired with, etc. etc. Enough gushing about Rory.
Anyways, I’m slowly warming to Rojas, his lack of response as Rev Halofan cited above, may be due to tentativeness at being new … I would say the jury is and should be out on him for the first couple of months.
Talk to me in June, and let’s see how much we like him. So far, so good. Except for calling Tim Lincecum “Tim Hudson” yesterday.
LazorkoRules - April 2, 2010
Rojas ain't bad, he just ain't comfortable yet.
And he needs to slow down a touch. It isn’t “MLB Tonight”, where you had to talk fast to get a word in edgewise.
He’ll learn… .I hope.
red floyd - April 2, 2010
hit the nail on the head!!
someone tell victor he IS NOT on MLB Tonight…he is an “Angel” broadcaster…hope he learns to value the excitement of a homerun, smash to left, or an outstanding defensive play…a little less monotone. but…two days in…i very much appreciate the professional approach. Hey…Victor…quit talking to Gubbels about Gubbels former pitching days….talk about the players…and talk to me!!!
angelmike - April 3, 2010
Just remember
Don’t think of Rojas as replacing Rory. Rojas is solid and has ties to the Halos. This will work out well.
ryanfea - April 2, 2010
I'm not ready to give my opinion on Rojas.
However, Gubicza is a complete dullard. This guy needs to be broadcasting golf.
bc56274 - April 3, 2010
Gubicza
is a grown man who sounds like an uncertain, un-interesting teenager. His obvious, boring comments and the stupid way he laughs at his own jokes makes me want to puke. The man has nothing intersting or insightful to say.
He’s terrible and hopefully the Angels’ brass will realize it sooner than later.
Rojas will be fine once he settles in, though I think Rev is starting the admiration society a little prematurely. Last night was not a great showing by our new announcer. He’ll get better though.
tolbs1010 - April 3, 2010
I loved Rojas
Listen to him the first time was like hearing an angel. What a smooth voice.
Sometimes it is great to just let the sound of the game be the commentator.
That is why i love to listen to the games during the spring.
DAD OF VLAD - April 3, 2010
His voice feels like velvet.
WiHaloFan - April 3, 2010
Too much Sun-Tan Lotion
The broadcast booth is now filled with two overly-tanned, hair-greased jocks with little character who spend way too much time at 24 hour fitness. I want personality and analyst, not Saturday night at the Goathill.
I like my broadcasters to be cigarette smoking, whiskey-drinking irate homers. Either that or baseball fanatics who would rather spend time reeling over a prospect sheet with a flask of Jameson and a Brautwurst or getting to the ball park hours beforehand just to watch BP than two dudes watching their cholesterol and worried whether they should install front sprinklers in their newly bought house in Cota De Caza.
I’ll take Terry and his nerdiness on the AM over these two goons all season. At least you can tell hes just not collecting a paycheck.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - April 3, 2010
So you want Bob Uecker's Harry Doyle character.
red floyd - April 3, 2010
Um, YES.
WHO WOULDNT??
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - April 3, 2010
Aw, hell.... nobody's listening anyways.
red floyd - April 3, 2010
As I said during The Great Hud Debate, the announcers didn't affect my baseball viewing experience at all
Commander_Nate - April 3, 2010
Is that an indication of poor broadcasters?
MLB.TV has the option of which broadcast to listen to, home or away, and a few times I’ve listen to the other team’s broadcast. I was like you (doesn’t matter who the broadcasters are) until I listened to what a broadcast should sound like. It can make watching a game on TV so much better…or worse.
WiHaloFan - April 3, 2010
you could always turn down the sound and listen to the radio
We all do that during the playoffs.
Oh shit, forgot that the radio is even worse.
Well i guess we are all screwed
DAD OF VLAD - April 3, 2010
BULLSHIT.
Terry is awesome and quickly becoming a staple of angels’ baseball season.
BryanHarvey'sMoustache - April 3, 2010
I disagree, I can't stand Terry.
He’s way too dry and cynical for the big show.
shiftyeyedgoat - April 3, 2010
I second that BULLSHIT.
Terry is an excellent announcer, and it is awesome to listen to the games since I’m…so far away…
Slasher52 - April 3, 2010
NO OPPO TACO!
This made me sad. When Hunter hit that bomb into the right field seats, I was waiting with tingling excitement for Victor’s MLB Network trademark “oppo taco” reference to an opposite field home run.
It never came. Maybe he’s saving his good stuff for the regular season.
I’m tracking his ass down right now and asking about it. I PROMISE.
Sethy - April 3, 2010
Victor's quick
Here’s his rapid response to my e-mail:
Spring training brother, don’t want to peak too soon. Thought about it but decided to keep it in check till the season…just like all the other stuff.
VR
Sent from my iPhone
Sethy - April 3, 2010
if it had been physioc
he would have gotten mark whicker to write a bashing of your misunderstanding of physioc’s perfection.
Rev Halofan - April 3, 2010
The thing I love about Rojas so far
is that everything I’ve asked him or commented on in facebook or Twitter, he’s responded to. He is so cool to communicate with as a fan. It is awesome.
ryanfea - April 4, 2010
Stubborn
I refuse to be sucked in to the Facebook/Twitter world, so I tracked down his persona e-mail, and he was gracios enough to reply twice in less than an hour. So ya, what you said.
Sethy - April 4, 2010
Victor sounds exactly like old Halo T.V. broadcaster Ken Wilson. It’s almost scary. First time poster long time viewer!
sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher - April 3, 2010
Who cares about announcers?
In my humble opinion, a lot of you watch/listen WAAAAY too closely. When I watch a baseball broadcast, I don’t even pay attention to what is being said. Isn’t it supposed to be a visual experience?
Downing Rules - April 3, 2010
I see your point, but
a bad announcer can ruin the experience of the game don’t you think?
sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher - April 3, 2010
Exactly
just as a good announcer can enhance it.
ryanfea - April 4, 2010
If I am not paying attention to what they are saying, how can it kill my experience?
Downing Rules - April 5, 2010
Two words.
Harry Caray.
red floyd - April 5, 2010
Note: red floyd ducks and hides from the inevitable backlash from closet Cubs fans
red floyd - April 5, 2010
Then why have announcers at all?
sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher - April 5, 2010
+1
recommended. Point, match.
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
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