Victor Rojas
Victor Rojas | |
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Play-by-play | |
Sport | MLB |
Victor Manuel Rojas (born February 3, 1968) is an American baseball executive and former broadcaster. He currently serves as the president and general manager of the Frisco RoughRiders.[1] Rojas is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Angels as their play-by-play broadcaster from 2010 to 2020.[2]
Playing career
Rojas is the son of former major-league player and manager
Coaching career
He was a member of the
Broadcasting career
Early jobs
Rojas was a radio and television announcer for the
He moved up to the radio booth for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003.[2]
Texas Rangers
He joined the Rangers in 2004, replacing
MLB Network
Rojas was the first personality to appear on camera when MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009, serving as the first host on Hot Stove (the Network's off-season studio show). Along with Hot Stove, he appeared on MLB Tonight, the network's signature nightly studio program. Rojas also called play-by-play for some of MLB Network's Thursday Night Baseball telecasts.[2]
Los Angeles Angels
On March 3, 2010, Rojas was named the
Rojas was hired by
In 2019, Rojas and Gubicza won a
In November 2020, Rojas revealed that he had interviewed with the Los Angeles Angels for their vacant general manager position.[6] The job eventually went to former Atlanta Braves assistant general manager Perry Minasian.[7]
On January 9, 2021, Rojas announced via Twitter that he would be stepping away from broadcasting to focus on his family and apparel company.[8] Matt Vasgersian would take Rojas' spot.[9]
Play calls
- "Oppo taco": Opposite field home run
- "Three-run jimmy jack": Three-run home run
- "Big fly": A home run
- "Light that baby up!": The call at the final out of an Angels win, referring to the halo on the 230-foot tall A outside of Angel Stadium that lights up when the Angels win.
- "Drive home safely!": When the Angels have a walk-off win.
- "Grand salami time!": When the Angels hit a grand slam.
- ”Big fly, Ohtani-san!”: Home run call for Japanese player Shohei Ohtani, making use of the Japanese honorific "san"
Executive career
On January 11, 2021, it was announced that Rojas had been hired by Texas Rangers Double-A affiliate Frisco RoughRiders as their president and general manager.[10]
Personal life
Rojas and his wife, Kim have three children. He and his family started a baseball apparel business in 2019 called Big Fly Gear.[11] His father Cookie was an MLB player for 15 seasons and a manager for two. He is also in broadcasting, currently doing Spanish color commentary for the Miami Marlins. His brother Mike was the manager for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals and is currently coaching in Mexico.
Rojas and his family currently reside in Trophy Club, Texas.[12]
References
- ^ Morris, Adam. "Victor Rojas joining Frisco Roughriders as president, g.m." SBNation / Lone Star Ball. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Victor Rojas Official Bio on Los Angeles Angels Site
- ^ Pucin, Diane (March 3, 2010). "Victor Rojas named as new Angels play-by-play broadcaster". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ Brown, Larry. "Angels' Victor Rojas and Mark Gubicza are MLB's most underrated announcing team". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
- ^ "FOX Sports West and Prime Ticket recognized with 13 L.A. Area Emmy nominations". Fox Sports West.
- ^ Anderson, R.J. "Angels GM search: Team's play-by-play announcer interviews, but is not among five finalists". CBS Sports. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ Bollinger, Rhett. "Minasian named Angels' general manager". Los Angeles Angels. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Fletcher, Jeff. "Victor Rojas leaves Angels TV booth after 11 seasons". Orange County Register. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ Harris, Jack (11 March 2021). "Matt Vasgersian will take over play-by-play duties for the Angels". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Fletcher, Jeff. "Former Angels broadcaster Victor Rojas takes job running Texas Rangers' Double-A affiliate". Orange County Register. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ Shaikin, Bill. "The voice of the Angels sells Dodgers championship T-shirts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
- ^ Sharon, Keith. "Angels announcer Victor Rojas stays strong for his wife in her health battle". Orange County Register. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Victor Rojas Los Angeles Angels Official Bio