As the veteran play-by-play voice in a completely revamped “Sunday Night Baseball” booth, Matt Vasgersian is the one responsible for setting up his booth mates, Jessica Mendoza and Alex Rodriguez. Vasgersian joined the SBJ/SBD Media Podcast on Sunday afternoon, a few hours before Mets-Nationals, to talk about how he expects the booth’s chemistry to grow as the season wears on. Vasgersian identified Kauffman Stadium, Angel Stadium and Camden Yards as the best ballparks from which to call a game. “There are more good ones than bad ones. If we were having this conversation in the late '80s when Three Rivers and Riverfront and The Vet and other blights on society like that were still around, it would be a whole different discussion,” he said. As for the much-maligned broadcast booth at Nationals Park, where he called last night’s game, he said: “It’s too high. Period. You’re going to make mistakes.”
* On Jessica Mendoza:
What I didn't know about Jess is that her work ethic is probably better than anyone else. ... She makes phone calls during the week to college coaches for some of these guys.
* On Alex Rodriguez:
I know what Alex is interested in as a hitter and a player. But he is so much more conversant in other parts of the game that I’m just learning about -- payroll construction, long-term franchise vision, player development. ... He has a global interest in the game that I’m only now beginning to understand.
* On his broadcast influences:
Because I grew up in northern California listening at the foot of Bill King -- truly a man of all seasons; Warriors, Radiers, A’s, my holy grail of franchises -- I used to think that was the influence. But my work is nowhere near as good. I guess I don’t have a guy.
* On dealing with criticism:
I’m not on social media. It’s just not my thing. I’m not interested.
