Very breaking news!
Richie Whitt of the Dallas Observer reports the Rangers are removing John Rhadigan from his play-by-play duties.The actual term used here is "fired," though the Twitter of 105.3 The FAN uses the term demoted (and says to tune in now for details).
This is sad, in one respect, as Rhadigan is, by all accounts, a good guy, and getting fired is something that's hard to cheer for. On the other hand, though, he was just not fit for play-by-play, and was not doing a good job of conveying the action on the field to the fans. The Rangers need someone who can actually call a baseball game to be calling their baseball games.
My guess is Dave Barnett -- who has filled in well at points for Rhadigan -- will take his place, and Bryan Dolgin will replace Barnett on the radio, but I don't know yet. Either way, this improves Rangers broadcasts immediately.
Sorry it didn't work out, John, and no hard feelings, but thank you, Rangers, for coming to your senses.
UPDATE: Jeff Wilson confirms Barnett as the replacement.
UPDATE: Herbie Pallotta has posted the official statement from the team at Lone Star Ball. Posted in its entirety following the jump. Steve Busby, not Bryan Dolgin, will become Eric Nadel's new radio partner. Rhadigan will return to the studio.
The Texas Rangers today announced several changes in the on-air personnel for the club’s television and radio broadcasts.
The changes will be effective beginning with Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals and will be in place for the remainder of the 2011 season.
Dave Barnett will become the Rangers’ lead television play-by-play announcer on Fox Sports Southwest and TXA21 telecasts, working with analyst Tom Grieve.
Steve Busby will join Eric Nadel on the majority of the games on 103.3 FM ESPN and the Rangers ESPN Radio Network. Pre and post-game radio host Bryan Dolgin will also do play-by-play on a number of games during the remainder of the 2011 season.
John Rhadigan will be returning to Fox Sports Southwest as the lead anchor of FSSW’s Rangers pre and postgame coverage and other programming on the network.
"We feel that this restructuring will provide Rangers fans with quality television and radio broadcasts from a pregame, in-game, and post-game perspective," said Rangers Executive Vice President for Communications John Blake. "We have a group of experienced and knowledgeable broadcasters who should work well in these roles."
Barnett joined the Rangers broadcast team in 2009 and has worked primarily in the radio booth since that time. The longtime ESPN announcer has also provided play-by-play coverage on a limited number of Rangers television games in that span.
Busby has been a part of Rangers radio and television coverage for over 25 years. Most recently, the former major league pitcher has served as a lead analyst on Fox Sports Southwest’s pre and post game Rangers programming while working a limited schedule of television and radio games over the last several years.
Dolgin is in his second year hosting Rangers pre and post game radio coverage and has been a fill-in play-by-play broadcaster for the club over that span.