I get the distinct feeling that if F.P. Santangelo had his way, opening day for the 2011 baseball season would begin tomorrow.
The Washington Nationals’ new color analyst and I spoke by phone Saturday. Since 2004, Santangelo has spent most of his time covering the San Francisco Giants — doing a variety of shows on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area as well as hosting a talk show from 7 to 10 weeknights on KNBR. He built up a strong resume that impressed the Washington brass enough to name him the Nationals’ fifth color analyst. Santangelo will join play-by-play man Bob Carpenter in the MASN broadcast booth this season.
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We talked about his choice to leave his job covering the World Series champion Giants and join the Nationals.
Santangelo on becoming a full-time color analyst » Not long after joining CSN Bay Area I was able to do fill-in color analyst work on the Giants and the A’s games, and I knew that was what I really wanted to do. But when you have talented broadcasters like Jon Miller, Duane Kuiper, Mike Krukow and Dave Flemming, that is a lineup that is very tough to crack. But the wonderful thing for me is that each one of those guys has taken time to work with me and make a better broadcaster.
Santangelo on his decision to try for the Nationals job » At the end of the season, at the encouragement of Kuiper, Krukow and Miller, I called my agent and told him we should send Washington a tape. Then in December I was contacted by the Nationals and told that I was one of three finalists and that they were flying me in for a face-to-face interview. I was impressed with their commitment to doing everything first-class just like the Giants. Then about 10 days ago I got the call that I was the Nats’ choice, and man, I was really happy all the hard work paid off and I was headed to Washington.
Santangelo on the reaction back in San Francisco » Well, everyone with the Giants were happy for me and wished me well. I made the announcement on my KNBR show, and I got lots of really nice calls and over 3,000 tweets asking me to stay and others wishing me well. I was really was touched by the way everyone wanted me to do well. Last year covering the Giants’ run to a world championship was the best year of my professional career. Now I can’t wait to get to Washington where I promise fans that I want to be in D.C. for a long time and broadcast a number of World Series games with the Nationals.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!