ANAHEIM, Calif. — Rory Markas, a play-by-play sportscaster who spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, has died. He was 54.
Markas was found dead at his home in Palmdale, Calif., 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.
Markas was with the Angels from 1994 to 1997. Many remember his call in the 2002 World Series when center fielder Darin Erstad was about to make the final out: "Erstad says he's got it! Erstad makes the catch! The Anaheim Angels are the champions of baseball!"
Markas also did broadcasts for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Clippers, University of Southern California men's basketball and Pacific Coast League baseball. He had been a sports reporter for KNX Radio and a sports anchor for KTTV.
During Markas' six seasons with the PCL, he spent three years doing radio broadcasts for the Salt Lake City Gulls and three for the Vancouver Canadians.
He 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.