http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100105/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bba_obit_rory_markas_4
Angels broadcaster Rory Markas dies at 54
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ANAHEIM, Calif. – Rory Markas, a play-by-play sportscaster who spent the past
eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, has died. He was 54.
Markas was found dead at his home in Palmdale
on Monday and the cause of death was not immediately available, Angels
spokesman Tim Mead said Tuesday. Markas had surgery for a blood clot on
his brain in late 2008.
He also was the voice of the USC men's basketball team
and a reporter and sportscaster for KTTV-TV in Los Angeles. USC also had no
details on his death.
Markas
called Angels games on both television and radio, and was best known
for celebrating the club's wins with his signature line: "Just another
Halo victory!" Last month, Markas was named the Angels' lead television
broadcaster for the upcoming season.
Markas
was in his 12th season as the radio play-by-play voice of USC, most
recently calling the Trojans' victory over Arizona State on Saturday
night.
"We held him and the outstanding
broadcasting work he did for us in the highest regard," USC athletic
director Mike Garrett said. "He was a consummate professional and a
well-loved individual. He'll be a very difficult person to replace. We
want to extend our support and condolences to his family."
After a busy, varied broadcasting career that included
a four-season stint with the Los Angeles Clippers
in the 1990s, Markas joined the Angels just in time for their run to
their only championship. Many remember his call to end Game 7 of the 2002 World
Series when outfielder Darin Erstad circled under the San Francisco Giants'
final fly ball: "Erstad says he's got it! Erstad makes the catch! The Anaheim
Angels are the champions of baseball!"
Markas also worked for the Milwaukee Brewers for parts
of 11 seasons and spent six years calling Pacific Coast League baseball. The
San Fernando Valley native also had been a sports reporter for KNX Radio, and
appeared on television with KCBS and Prime Ticket in Los Angeles.
"Rory
was one of the great professionals in the business," said Jim Hefner,
the color analyst on USC basketball broadcasts. "But more importantly,
he was one of the nicest, kindest people I've ever been around. I'm
sure that everyone who worked with him will truly miss him. He was
one-of-a-kind."
Markas was honored with two Associated Press
Sportscasting awards and received the 2008 Radio Play-by-Play Award from the
Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association.
Markas is survived by his mother, Billie, and brothers
Gary and Troy.
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