Doskow Named Interim Broadcaster For Oakland A's
Doskow's call-up comes after a career that has spanned nearly 3,000 games at the minor league level. His broadcasting career started in 1993 with the Class-A Cedar Rapids Kernels before moving on to the Class-A Advanced High Desert Mavericks of the California League. After two seasons there, he began calling Triple-A games for the Fresno Grizzlies, before making the jump to Sacramento in 2001.
In 2007, the River Cats honored Doskow with a limited edition bobblehead doll to commemorate his 1,000th game in Sacramento. This season, the Cats have a Johnny Doskow Bobblenose Night planned for June 22, in an ode to Doskow's famously oversized facial appendage.
A native of North Tarrytown, New York, and a graduate of the University of La Verne, Doskow always knew he wanted to call baseball games. When he heard the news of his interim promotion from Oakland vice president of communications Ken Pries, Doskow's life-long dream was realized.
"I was holding it together nicely until he told me he might need me to do the games in Boston at Fenway Park," Doskow said. "That's when I lost it."
Korach is expected to miss several games over the first month of the A's season, and his return date is uncertain. Doskow said he has received overwhelming support from the Athletics, including Korach himself.
"He was genuinely happy for me," Doskow said.
After Oakland returns from its season-opening trip to Japan, the A's visit Raley Field in an exhibition against the River Cats on Saturday, March 31, at 6:05 p.m. A limited number of single-game tickets are still available for the game, which is expected to sell out.