Matt Vasgersian doesn't seem to have a filter at times, and if you asked him about it, I think he'd be the first to admit that. Yesterday, the MLB Network host thought about what he had done, and issued an on-air apology. Via the Biz of Baseball....

Obviously it was a poor choice of joke, and the timing was just terrible. There was no ill intent and hopefully people don't hold it against Vasgersian. Moving on....

Vasgersian: "I certainly didn't mean to trivialize an injury." (Biz of Baseball)

I don't know if it's something in his brain or what, but Matt Vasgersian must just forget that he's actually being broadcast to thousands of people at certain times. There was the Ozarks incident, the f-bomb on MLB Network, and now this. Via Bugs & Cranks....

Wow. There are times to try and make jokes, and definitely times not to make them. You can't go from serious/somber voice to lighthearted that fast! Plus that dude looked nothing like Donovan McNabb. Just plain awkward.

Update: Vasgersian has responded via KSK....

“I am an idiot .. Save the racial stuff which is just flat out wrong, almost all of what has been posted on my regrettably horrific timing is spot on .. It was a bad decision made on live tv and i can absolutely understand how that make an announcer sound insensitive. Bad on the spot judgment. Nobody feels worse about it than I do guys.”

Video: Another Awkward Moment in Television History Featuring Matt Vasgersian (Bugs and Cranks)
UPDATED: Matt Vasgersian should probably stop talking for a little while. (Kissing Suzy Kolber)

I don't claim to be anywhere near an expert on the ways of Sabermetrics, but I definitely think the thinking is important to the game of Baseball. Apparently the analysts at the MLB Network, namely Harold Reynolds, Barry Larkin and Sean Casey, aren't experts either. The trio, along with Matt Vasgersian, tried to discuss the topic on MLB Tonight recently, and here was the result....

Here's the thing that has always bothered me with this discussion, and you can almost compare it to the "battle" between bloggers and mainstream media members. No statistician thinks that scouts or scouting department needs to be replaced. Just like bloggers think that mainstream media shouldn't be rendered obsolete.

Sabermetrics is really just another way to gather information, and I really don't think a team that utilizes it, is completely basing their decision on just the stats. To think that a team would draft a player, without seeing him play or watching tape, is just ignorant.

You have to commend the MLB Network for trying, but if you don't really know anything about the topic, it's best to just stay away. Much like me talking about MMA.

Why The MLB Network Is A Failure (And That Happened)

Matt Vasgersian is a longtime AA favorite, and while some of you don't like him as nearly as much as I do, I think this clip might sway you a bit. There was apparently an editing problem during a segment on Manny Ramirez, and thanks to this random guy's television, we have a clip of a great Vasgersian F-Bomb....

I appreciate the clip, but can we seriously get rid of the captions on the Youtube videos? Thanks. Other than that, not every network is perfect and I personally enjoy a good f-bomb from time to time.

(Thanks to EJ from NESW's for the clip)

Game: The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Teams: Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) vs. Texas Longhorns (11-1)
Location: Glendale, Arizona, University of Phoenix Stadium
Start Time: 8PM EST (FOX)
Network and Announcers: Matt Vasgersian, Tim Ryan, Laura Okmin, Chris Myers
Favorite: Texas (-9)
AA's Pick: Texas 31 - OSU 16

Matt Vasgersian hasn't exactly made friends in St. Louis in recent years, which is why this comment he gave to the St. Louis Dispatch is so hilarious. The Dispatch talked to a few FOX announcing teams about what it's like to cover the Rams this season, and this was Vasgersian's response....

"We've had plenty of Lions and Chiefs and Raiders games, too, the last couple of years, so we know how to polish up a turd pretty good,'' he said. "We're not getting A and B games, and after the A and B games are assigned the networks all tell you'' that everything else is equal, "which we know is not quite accurate. But not everybody can do the Giants and the Cowboys and the Patriots every week.''

He said that when he sees the Rams on the assignment sheet, he is more concerned whether they are at home or on the road than being stuck with a lousy team. The Edward Jones Dome isn't his favorite venue from which to work.

"That building's pretty dreary, man,'' he said. "That's a little more trouble than having them on the road, because the building stinks and there's just no energy in there. That's one of those things you look at and go, 'Oh man, are we the Z crew?'""''

Vasgersian is no stranger to strong comments about the St. Louis market. He had been the San Diego Padres' television play-by-play announcer before giving up that assignment to take the MLB job, and while broadcasting a game from Busch Stadium in August 2007 said Cardinals fans should get in their El Caminos and drive back to the Ozarks.

He said that was a joke. But he also was heard that night in comments that weren't intended to be broadcast: "I'm done with this place. I'm so tired of losing here. It's hotter than (bleep). We get our (butts) kicked every time we come here. I'm not coming here next year."

He finds it somewhat ironic that he's been working a lot of football games involving a lousy St. Louis team.

"Karma's a *****,'' he said, chuckling.

Ah yes. That karma certainly is a (I'm assuming he said bitch)....bitch. But if getting to do NFL games each week, and becoming the face of a newly formed MLB channel is bad luck, I'll be the first to say that St. Louis is a shithole (I kid, I kid).

St. Louis Rams' games no picnic for broadcasters (St. Louis Dispatch)
Matt Vasgersian Trashes St. Louis (Awful Announcing)

The MLB Network has been surfing the local talent pool and they've added yet another individual to its growing roster. It was announced yesterday that longtime Padres broadcaster Matt Vasgersian was leaving the team and today he's signed on with the MLB-N. Via John Ourand at SBD....

MLB Network is about to make its first official on-air hire, signing Matt Vasgersian as its main studio host for the nightly "MLB Tonight" show, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. Vasgersian had been the lead play-by-play announcer for Padres' TV games and has done work with Fox, as well. As the main host of MLB Network's nightly show, Vasgersian will be the net's most visible on-air personality. An official announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.

MLB Network is launching January 1 to about 50 million homes. It has been
talking with Harold Reynolds and Hazel Mae about on-air positions and has
had conversations with Bob Costas about an on-air role.

It's not Costas but it's still a good pickup for the new network that launches January 1st. They seem to be making all of the right moves before opening up shop, and this is just another move that illustrates that. I've long been a fan of Vasgersian, and the studio work he put in for the Olympics will definitely help him in this role.

MLB Network to Tap Matt Vasgersian (Broadcasting & Cable)

I know this is a week old, but it's too funny not to have a spot on this site (thanks to DD for the clip). During last week's Cardinals-Panthers game, Neil Rackers was lining up for a 39-yard field goal, when Carolina's Coach John Fox decided to ice the kicker with one of those right before the snap timeouts. Well listen closely for what Vasgersian has now dubbed the tactic....

I approve! When coaches starting pulling this move about three years ago, I noticed announcers struggling for a term to use, but now they have it thanks to Matt Vasgersian. It shall now be referred to "Clock Blocking", for evermore.

Sorry folks. I completely forgot to put this post up yesterday. Here is your announcing schedule for the weekend and we're once again missing the Buckster. Matt Vasgersian replaces him on the main game and will be with Mark Grace while the rest of you will either get Timmy Mc and Kenny Albert or Stockton and Karros.

The map is kind of random this weekend so hopefully you're getting a team you haven't seen this year. Enjoy the games if you're watching them.

Saturday:

Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies- Matt Vasgersian & Mark Grace (Fox, 3:55pm, 55%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tulsa, Washington

Colorado Rockies at New York Mets- Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal (FOX, 3:55pm, 23%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Buffalo, Denver, Fort Myers, Hartford, Jacksonville, Miami, New York, Orlando, Providence, Salt Lake City, Tampa

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers- Dick Stockton & Eric Karros (FOX, 3:55pm, 21%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Seattle

Sunday:

Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox- Chip Caray & Ron Darling (TBS, 1pm)

Colorado Rockies at New York Mets- Jon Miller & Joe Morgan (ESPN, 8pm)

Who knew that "duck fart" was an actual term in Baseball? Well Matt Vasgersian did during the bottom of the 14th as the Padres sent in pitcher Josh Banks to pinch hit in the tie game. Listen at around the 1:00 mark....

Duck Fart- "A softly hit ball that goes over the infielders and lands in the outfield for a hit. Originally called a "duck fart" because it was assumed that a duck's feathers would make its farts as soft (or quiet) as the hit. Changed to a "snort" for use in polite company."

Vasgersian has been involved in some ridiculously long games this year, so he deserves a pass if he says anything crazy, but the fact that's an actual Baseball term blew my mind. You learn something new everyday.

(Thanks to JG for the tip)

Rick Sutcliffe seems to be well on his way to beating Colon Cancer, which he was diagnosed with this past Spring, and he'll be in the booth for tonight's Braves-Mets game on ESPN. From The Chicago Tribune via SbB....

Sutcliffe returns to the broadcast booth Wednesday for the Atlanta Braves- New York Mets game, his first as an ESPN analyst since being diagnosed with colon cancer during spring training.

"I'll be honest," the former pitcher said Tuesday after stopping by Turner Field, his first visit to a ballpark since his diagnosis. "I'm going to be a little nervous."

The 51-year-old Sutcliffe is on the road to recovery. He was strong enough to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the same time, speeding up the process, and is hopeful of getting a clean bill of health after surgery on June 16.

Well that's just the best news I've heard in awhile. Not because he beat Cancer (yes that's amazing), but now we won't have to be subjected to another night of Joe Morgan. In all seriousness it's good to have Sutcliffe back and congrats on getting through the treatment.

Now let me follow Brooks' lead and once again revisit Sut drunk telling Matt Vasgersian to leave the Padres. Good times!

Sut Drunk

Now We Can Go Back To Posting Sut’s Drunk Vid (Sports by Brooks)

We already know FOX's schedule for this Saturday but do you know which game you're getting yet? Well now you do thanks to reader MS. Here's the breakdown of which major cities are getting which contests this Sunday (All start at 3:55pm)....

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers- Thom Brennamman and Jose Mota
MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Providence, Seattle

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres- Matt Vasgersian and Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco

Obviously most of us are getting the Buck/McCarver game, but a few lucky cities get to do without the duo. In other FOX Baseball News they network has hired former Braves and O's Hitting Coach Leo Mazzone as an analyst. The guy is a genius but I really can't remember hearing him talk.

(Thanks again to reader MS for the tip)

This upsets me greatly as I thought Matt Vas was the inventor of the Owen Schmitt beer reference, but alas...that is not the case. Apparently Washington Post writer Mike Wise referred to the WVU Fullback as a "Beer Truck" before as well....

It's not like his reputation isn't out there. Schmitt has the rare ability to hold onto the ball -- or deliver punishing blocks -- in heavy traffic.

"He has a forehead made of steel," said ESPN's Craig James.

"He rumbles like a beer truck with a broken parking brake," wrote the Washington Post's Mike Wise.

It didn't matter to Schmitt that he ran for two touchdowns and dropped a punt inside the 20-yard line in the Mountaineers' 55-14 Big East victory on Oct. 6 at Syracuse.

Next practice, he acted like it never happened.

I'm not accusing of stealing the line, but there's one important thing about this blockquote you should know. It's from an article back in October.

WVU's Schmitt bases performance on maximum effort (Pittsburgh Live)

The WVU Dingle-Berry post all the way back in September by Mister Irrelevant was one of the highlights of a great year of blogging. Well Matt Vasgersian seems to have the same thing on his mind during this break in the action of the Fiesta Bowl....

Actually I take it back. We already know Matt Vas reads blogs, so I bet he was saving that one all night.

West Va.’s Dingle-Berry Hangs Together (Mister Irrelevant)

In all of my years watching Sports I don't think I've ever heard someone refer to a player as a "Runaway Beer Truck". Thanks to Matt Vasgersian's call of this Owen Schmitt touchdown I can cross it off my list.....

I'll be in and out of this space all night adding the quotes below this space. Hopefully we can finally get a good game out of one of these BCS contests. AA's pal and St. Louis Fan Matt Vasgersian is on the call, so he should at least keep us entertained.





#9 West Virginia vs. #4 Oklahoma
The Fiesta Bowl
8:00 PM ET, January 2, 2008
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Weather: 69 Degrees, Partly Cloudy
Spread: Oklahoma -9, O/U 62
AA's Pick: WVU +9 (Record 15-10-2)
Announcers: Matt Vasgersian, Pat Haden and Terry Donahue (FOX)

Team Leaders

West Virginia Passing: White- 68.0%, 1548 Yards, 12 TDs, 4 INTs
Oklahoma Passing: Bradford- 70.1%, 2879 Yards, 34 TDs, 7 INTs

West Virginia Rushing: White- 177 Carries, 1185 Yards, 6.7 avg, 14 TDs
Oklahoma Rushing: Patrick- 159 Carries, 927 Yards, 5.8 avg, 8 TDs

West Virginia Receiving: Reynaud- 59 Catches, 691 Yards, 11.7 avg, 11 TDs
Oklahoma Receiving: Iglesias- 60 Catches, 854 Yards, 14.2 avg, 4 TDs
_____________________________________

"Since there's a writers' strike, who's responsible for writing tonight's script?"- Chris Rose (Via tjh420)

"The best thing about Oklahoma has got to be the girls."- Male Oklahoma Student
"The best thing about Oklahoma has got to be the guys."- Female Oklahoma Student #1
"It's definitely the guys!"- Female Oklahoma Student #2

Umm....okay?

Hey, Check this.....C-Mottram found the video of Thom Brennaman calling Georgia the Gators from last night......

Good times.

"The defensive secondary has got to play well" - Barry Switzer (Via Mookie)

"West 'By Gosh' Virginia"- Matt Vasgersian

Ha...I think there's an F-word missing in there.

"Not only was he held, and got the sack, but he got held as well"- Terry Donahue

"Well Terry because of your filibuster let me get into the keys of the game for Oklahoma."- Pat Haden

Uh oh....the analysts are fighting now.

"I can tell you from being in a lot of bowl games that the speed and tempo of West Virginia is controlling this game."- Terry Donahue

I didn't know it took bowl game experience to state the obvious. (Via Fairplay)

"One of those "stupid" penalties"- Terry Donahue (Via JJ)

As JJ pointed out....There are smart penalties?

"Owen Schmitt, like a big runaway beer truck" - Matt Vasgersian (Via Mookie and Smitty)

WINNER!

"You know, I think it's time for Sam Bradford to respond."- Pat Haden

It's 20-6....you think?

"You were a Rhodes Scholar right? You spell that R-O-A-D-S right?"- Terry Donahue

"They're going to put him in for a couple of plays."- Laura Okmin on Steve Slaton

Umm, they just showed him with his pads off....don't think he's coming back honey.

"Pat White has gotten in and out of trouble with those beautiful legs of his." Terry Donahue (Via Fairplay)

"Sam Bradford and he's come out and been hot this half."- Terry Donahue

It's 3 minutes in Terry....settle down.

"And this is what happens in Football. Guys are going down on you."- Pat Haden (Via zeb)

"Boy they shouldn't let those two guys sit together. At least keep them in that order. You'd get the bloggers going all day on that one."- Matt Vasgersian

"there's not two ounces of nonsense in Bob Stoops".- Matt Vasgersian (Via Mal)

"I need to take that Jet."- Pat Haden
"There's a school bus out back that has Donahue, Haden, Vasgersian on it. That's how we're getting out of here."- Matt Vasgersian

"That's Oklahoma-type speed?"- Terry Donahue (Via JJ and lib4) on the Noel Devine Touchdown

Let me get this straight. Oklahoma can't keep up with a team that has "Oklahoma-type speed?" (Via JJ)

"If you put your nose up in the air just right you can smell the sofa cushions all the way from Morgantown."- Matt Vasgersian

Now THAT'S how you end a broadcast.

FOX came out with their Announcing pairings for the BCS games today, and basically nothing's different from last year's teams. It really bugs me that FOX has the BCS in the first place because they're just throwing people out there who haven't called a College Football game all season, and Barry Alvarez could challenge Bryant Gumbel for the World's Most Boring Commentator, but anyway here they are....

Orange Bowl: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Barry Alvarez
Fiesta Bowl: Matt Vasgersian, Pat Haden and Terry Donahue
Sugar Bowl: Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis
BCS Championship: Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis

FOX gets 4 of the 5 BCS contests with ABC getting the 5th, and that is almost certainly going to be covered by Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit.

Below are a few of the highlights from FOX's BCS Games last year and hopefully they can improve on what was a terrible Bowl Season for the network. The production was awful as they had mics cutting in and out, and the only good team from last year (Kenny Albert, Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long) won't be back. I laid into Charles Davis pretty hard last season, but he's been pretty good on the BCS Show they have on FOX after the NFL Games on Sundays. Hopefully they can do better this go around.

"Oh yes indeedy....Jack Bauer would be most pleased by this Florida effort."- Thom Brennaman
"It feels so good. And he doesn't mind flash dancing out of there."- Charles Davis
"Are the Gators just going to win everything this year? Football, Basketball.....Dancing with the Stars?"- Charles Davis

Update: For those of you wanting background on the "Mangina" moniker for Davis you can head here.....

BCS National Championship Live-Blog: Florida/OSU- 3rd Quarter (Awful Announcing)

An astute reader (BB) from San Diego wrote me yesterday to say that Matt Vasgersian has missed a few games. When I wrote back and asked him how many he said that Matt Vas has missed two entire series! That's a bit more than a few games. He's missed basically both series since the St. Louis incident.

Our reader also took it upon himself to write into Channel 4, and this was their response....

"Dear B,

Thank you for your interest in Channel 4 San Diego and for visiting our
web site. Matt is just taking a couple of days off and will be back soon.

Thanks for watching!

-Channel 4 San Diego

Well at least they wrote back to him, albeit a bit puzzling. Hopefully Matt isn't in any hot water over this....especially since there may or may not be a new AA t-shirt coming from all of this. Okay there is, and it's the coolest thing you'll ever see.

P.S.- St. Louis.....if you're holding him for ransom, let us know your terms.

The responses have come fast and furious the past day. Some thought the comments were funny, others are pissed, and some thought I let Matt Vas off the hook. Whatever you think about the situation, I'm glad you chose to express yourself here (especially you St. Louis).

As far as Matt goes....I believe the guy was joking around, and just made a mistake. You have to take someone at their word, and I have no reason not believe his email and this apology he made on air yesterday....

“If I offended anybody about my take on the Ozarks, it was meant in good fun, folks, certainly not to rip anybody down,” Vasgersian said.

Then, with a graphic titled “Welcome to the Ozarks” displayed on the screen, he added: “We thought it appropriate just to put some factual information up about the Ozarks. Beautiful state park, everybody speaks glowingly about it. I'm told there's no finer place to be in the month of September in all the Midwest. . . . So, all in good fun, folks.”

It's up to you on how you respond to this, but I think he's still one of the better young announcers in the game. He shouldn't have lost his job over something like this, and AA is glad he didn't.

As far as St. Louis....I've been there once and loved every minute of it. I went to the Anheuser-Busch plant and played with Clydsdales. Got to go to a Rams game where I drank tall Budweisers and walked through Downtown before the game, and saw the Rams beat the hated Seahawks. I also gambled on a Riverboat Casino, and may or may not have stopped at the Hustler Club right across the river in Illinois (It was there I met a girl who's husband had died in a horrible plant accident the day before. That's a different story entirely though....allegedly. I may not have been there.).

Anyway(s), I hope you enjoyed your time at the site, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Football Season is going to be an event to see here.

Cheers,
BP- Awful Announcing

Vasgersian's prattle ignites ire in Ozarks (Sign On San Diego)
Matt Vasgersian Trashes St. Louis (Awful Announcing)
Vasgersian Responds To AA and The Lou (Awful Announcing)

(P.S.- My next band name will be The Vasgersian Incident.. We'll be a cross between The Killers, The Arcade Fire, and Phil Collins. Trademarked.)

I don't know how else to preface this, so I'll just go right into it.....Here's your response Saint Louis, straight from Matt Vasgersian via email.....

Subject: Loving St. Louis!

Outstanding give and take fellas ... I'm digging all the grief this seems to have caused. As a loyal AA/Deadspin guy I'm actually pretty fired up to have landed on the radar here. In fairness to the sweaty Midwest, all that "St. Louis bashing" was for the benefit of the locals on our crew who like to ride us San Diegans about being slapped around by the Redbirds in the post-season every friggin' year. Not to mention I proudly rocked an El Camino back in the day myself. Keep blasting !!

Now if you'll excuse me there's a celebrity pull-my-finger tournament looking for a play-by-play guy.

Second Rate Announcer,

Matt Vasgersian

So STL, there you have it. Just a bit of fun between co-workers. Vas also wanted me to mention his devotion for Steak N' Shake and that he'd be wearing a Don Denkinger mask tonight if you're looking for him. Too funny.

Go easy on him St. Louis (if that's at all possible). It was all in jest and I think it speaks volumes that Matt took this all in stride.

Matt Vasgersian Trashes St. Louis (Awful Announcing)
Final Word On The Vasgersian Incident (Awful Announcing)

(P.S.- If anyone is watching in SD tonight....please hit record!)