Watson, Angels OK Deal
The Angels reached into the minor leagues for two new radio announcers, hiring Brian Barnhart for English broadcasts and Ivan Lara for Spanish broadcasts.
Barnhart, 33, joins Mario Impemba on KRLA (1110 AM). Barnhart, currently the host of a sports talk show in Oklahoma City, did play-by-play for the Triple-A Oklahoma City 89ers from 1988-94.
“I’m just thrilled,” Barnhart said Tuesday. “This gives me the job I’ve always dreamed of.”
Lara, 34, did play-by-play in Spanish for the Triple-A Tucson Toros from 1990-96. Lara becomes the Angels’ first Spanish voice since the club abandoned Spanish broadcasts in 1991 and a key figure in Disney’s Latino marketing push.
“These guys don’t want to just do the games,” Lara said. “They want to reach into the community.”
Barnhart and Lara each received two-year contracts.
The Angels have yet to select a partner for Lara on XPRS (1090 AM) broadcasts, but Lara said former major leaguer Jose Tolentino is among the candidates.
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