Mota leaving Angels' broadcast booth

ANAHEIM -- Longtime Angels broadcaster José Mota will not return to the television booth in 2022, Mota announced via Instagram on Thursday.

Mota began calling Spanish-language broadcasts for the Angels in 2002 before getting his start in English-language TV broadcasts in 2007. After serving in a variety of roles over the years in both Spanish and English, he began a new role last year as the club’s second in-game analyst alongside Mark Gubicza. The native of the Dominican Republic made history in the process, becoming the first Latin-born former player to serve as a full-time broadcaster for a Major League club.

“After much thought and prayer, it's time for a new chapter,” he wrote. “I will not be returning to the Angels organization and the Bally Sports West team this upcoming season. While this is totally and entirely my decision, I remain grateful for experiencing my last year in a prominent TV broadcast position. I so cherish all of the memories I have made since joining the organization -- from the 2002 World Series Championship to my friend Shohei Ohtani’s historic season in 2021 -- but especially connecting with players, staff, and fans.”

Mota, 56, played 19 games in the Majors with the Padres (1991) and Royals (1995) after being selected in the second round of the 1985 Draft out of Cal State Fullerton. Mota, the son of Dodgers pinch-hit legend Manny Mota, retired after the 1996 season and began his broadcast career with FOX in 1997, calling games in Spanish.

It's unknown if Mota will be replaced or if the Angels will stick to a two-man booth in 2022. Matt Vasgersian returns as the primary play-by-play announcer, and Patrick O’Neal will step in when Vasgersian is unavailable. Gubicza remains as an in-game analyst.