The Arizona Diamondbacks are moving on from Steve Berthiaume, deciding not to renew the contract of their principal television play-by-play announcer.
Team president Derrick Hall said, “His contract is up and we felt it was a good time to take a step back and re-evaluate our broadcasts. He was here 14 years and was a great DBack.”
Berthiaume’s run ended up making him the longest-serving television broadcaster in club history. He had been in the chair for 14 seasons, taking over after the “Pologate” situation with Darin Sutton, who refused to follow the mandated dress-code. Sutton preferred a suit and tie, while the team required its broadcasters to wear branded polo shirts.
Berthiaume’s tenure stretched long enough that his voice became part of the regular summer routine in Arizona, and his work alongside color analyst Bob Brenly developed into one of the more familiar parts of the booth. He had been interviewed before the 2013 season, and his development as a broadcaster was something that had been followed closely over the years.
There’s also a sense that more change could be coming. Brenly has appeared in fewer games this year, especially on the road, which fits with the broader feeling that the Diamondbacks may be heading toward a change in the booth. Brenly is 72 years old.
If Arizona looks internally for Berthiaume’s replacement, Chris Garagiola is the most obvious name. Garagiola took over as the Diamondbacks’ radio play-by-play voice after Greg Schulte retired, and he has built a strong reputation in that role.
He has also filled in for Berthiaume at times. Moving him from radio to television would create a new opening on the radio side, though, so the team could also go outside the organization for its next television voice.
Because the broadcasts are currently produced for the team by MLB, an outside hire from somewhere else in the league is also a possibility.
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