A’s longtime announcer says 2024 is his last year with team
"I hope I upheld the lofty standards of A's baseball on the radio," Cotroneo said.
Oakland Athletics’ play-by-play radio announcer Vince Cotroneo will not be with the organization next year when it makes its scheduled move to Sacramento.
Cotroneo, who joined the Athletics in 2006 after the death of iconic voice Bill King, made the announcement himself Wednesday on his Twitter/X account.
Before broadcasting the A’s game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Cotroneo wrote, “2024 will be my last broadcasting for the Athletics.”
Cotroneo thanked the organization for the opportunity, specifically Ken Pries, the A’s communications executive who hired him.
The A’s plan is to play in Sacramento for three years, from 2025 to 2027, before relocating to Las Vegas, where they hope to open a new ballpark in 2028.
After broadcasting minor league games at various locations from 1984 through 1990, Cotroneo was with the Houston Astros from 1991 through 1997 and the Texas Rangers for six years. He was out of broadcasting in 2004 and 2005 when he landed the job with the A’s alongside Ken Korach, who replaced King as the A’s primary radio play-by-play voice.
“I hope I upheld the lofty standards of A’s baseball on the radio,” Cotroneo said.
Cotroneo made it clear his departure is not a retirement.
“This is my 41st year in professional baseball, 32nd in the majors,” Cotroneo said. “While I am capable and ready to continue broadcasting baseball beyond 2024, if indeed it is my final season, I can hold my head high and I will continue to uphold the standards all season that have allowed me this amazing ride.”
The Athletics, in a statement concerning Cotreneo’s departure, thanked him “for his nearly two decades in the broadcast booth for the Green & Gold. His partnership with Ken Korach, Ray Fosse, Johnny Doskow, and so many others has been a historic era in A’s broadcasting.
“During Vince’s 19 seasons with the A’s, few in the industry have worked harder or shown more dedication to their craft. We thank Vince for creating so many great A’s memories on the airwaves.”
The A’s have made no announcements regarding their plans for television and radio on-air talent beyond this season. New additions this season were Jenny Cavnar for road games and Chris Caray for most home games on NBC Sports California. Both work with analyst Dallas Braden.