XM MLB Chat: Angels broadcasters Hudler and Physioc out

Physioc and Hudler have been told jointly by FS West and the Angels that they will not be part of the Angels' on-air team next season.

A statement by Fox and the Angels said that Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza will be the television voices for the team on FS West and KCOP next season, and Terry Smith and Jose Mota will do the radio on KLAA AM 830.

Physioc, 54, who has called baseball for 25 years for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and ESPN, said the news was "a total shock"....

Physioc spent 14 years with the Angels, making him the team's longest-tenured broadcaster.

Hudler, 49, went directly from the meeting where he lost his job to a charity engagement at the Second Harvest Food Bank, an appearance that had been scheduled for him by the Angels. Last season was Hudler's 11th as a team broadcaster....

Hudler also thanked owner Arte Moreno for sticking with him after Hudler was arrested for possession of marijuana at the Kansas City airport during an Angels trip in August 2003. Hudler was suspended for the rest of the season but returned in 2004....

Hudler, nicknamed "Wonder Dog," was notable for his sometimes over-the-top enthusiasm for the Angels. When Tim Salmon was starring for the team, Hudler would say after a Salmon play, "King Salmon went upstream."

Tim Mead, Angels vice president of communications, said the team would have no comment other than the statement, which said:

"We are going in a different direction next season and will use single announcing teams on TV and radio that will include Rory Markas and Mark Gubicza on Fox Sports West and KCOP and Terry Smith and Jose Mota calling the action on radio (KLAA AM 830). We believe this approach will create greater consistency on our telecasts, as well as a deeper familiarity with fans and viewers. We would like to thank Rex Hudler and Steve Physioc for their contributions through the years and we wish each of them well."" LA Times, 11/25/09

via mention in Bill Madden's column, "It's a Madd, Madd World," 12/6/09:

"We were sorry to see Rex Hudler lose his job as one of the LA Angels' TV broadcasters last week. You won't find a more effusive personality with a greater passion for the game than "Wonder Dog", a onetime No. 1 draft pick of the Yankees. There ought to be a place somewhere in baseball for him."

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