Rory Markas
Encyclopedia
Rory Markas was an American
sportscaster
best known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
's play-by-play broadcaster for eight seasons, and as the radio voice of the University of Southern California men's basketball team for 11 seasons. He also worked as a field reporter and part-time sports anchor for KTTV
.
Born in Chatsworth, California, he was a graduate of Los Angeles Valley College
, California State University-Northridge, and Chatsworth High School
, Markas won four Golden Mike Awards, two Associated Press
Sportscasting Awards, and the 2008 Radio Play-by-Play Award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association.
' KNX-AM and KCBS-TV
, the Los Angeles Clippers
, the Milwaukee Brewers
, Fox Sports Net West
, and the Pacific Coast League
's Salt Lake City Gulls
and Vancouver Canadians
. He was also the lead announcer for RollerJam
from its second season to its last. Most recently, and possibly his final effort, was the recording of the play-by-play segments for the upcoming motion picture "The Yankles". Rory Markas' voice is the first and last voice heard in the movie.
On January 4, 2010, Markas was found dead at his Palmdale
, California
, home, the victim of an apparent heart attack.
Many obituaries noted that Markas would be remembered for his signature "Just another Halo victory!" call after Angel wins, and for his call of the final play of the 2002 World Series at Angel Stadium. He was also known for his interviewing skills, for example his Angel radio pre-game talks with Yankees' PA announcer Bob Sheppard, former Negro Leagues player Buck O'Neill and long-time Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
best known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
's play-by-play broadcaster for eight seasons, and as the radio voice of the University of Southern California men's basketball team for 11 seasons. He also worked as a field reporter and part-time sports anchor for KTTV
KTTV
KTTV, channel 11, is an owned-and-operated television station of the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Los Angeles, California. Serving the vast Los Angeles metropolitan area, KTTV is a sister station to KCOP , Los Angeles' MyNetworkTV station...
.
Born in Chatsworth, California, he was a graduate of Los Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College is a community college located in the Valley Glen district of Los Angeles, California in the east-central San Fernando Valley. The school is a part of the Los Angeles Community College District....
, California State University-Northridge, and Chatsworth High School
Chatsworth High School
Chatsworth High School is a public secondary school located in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, U.S..As of the 2005–06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 3183 students and 117.8 classroom teachers , for a student-teacher ratio of 27.0.- History :The campus...
, Markas won four Golden Mike Awards, two Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Sportscasting Awards, and the 2008 Radio Play-by-Play Award from the Southern California Broadcasters Association.
Early career
Markas previously worked for CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
' KNX-AM and KCBS-TV
KCBS-TV
KCBS-TV, channel 2, is an owned-and-operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Los Angeles, California. KCBS-TV shares its offices and studio facilities with sister station KCAL-TV inside CBS Studio Center in the Studio City section of Los Angeles, and its transmitter...
, the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Fox Sports Net West
Fox Sports Net West/Prime Ticket
Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket are Los Angeles-based regional sports networks serving Southern California, Central California, southern Nevada, and Hawaii...
, and the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
's Salt Lake City Gulls
Salt Lake City Gulls
leftThe Salt Lake City Gulls, a former member of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, were based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were a minor league affiliate of the California Angels from 1975 to 1981, and of the Seattle Mariners from 1982 to 1984...
and Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
. He was also the lead announcer for RollerJam
RollerJam
RollerJam was an American television series featuring roller derby that aired on The Nashville Network from 1999 to 2001. It was the first attempt to bring roller derby to TV since RollerGames....
from its second season to its last. Most recently, and possibly his final effort, was the recording of the play-by-play segments for the upcoming motion picture "The Yankles". Rory Markas' voice is the first and last voice heard in the movie.
Health issues and death
In late 2008, Markas underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain, which sidelined him for about six weeks. Steve Physioc, his Angels partner, filled in for Rory on several USC basketball games.On January 4, 2010, Markas was found dead at his Palmdale
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, home, the victim of an apparent heart attack.
Many obituaries noted that Markas would be remembered for his signature "Just another Halo victory!" call after Angel wins, and for his call of the final play of the 2002 World Series at Angel Stadium. He was also known for his interviewing skills, for example his Angel radio pre-game talks with Yankees' PA announcer Bob Sheppard, former Negro Leagues player Buck O'Neill and long-time Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell.