The SportsNet LA booth has had a different feel over the past week as Los Angeles Dodgers broadcasters Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser were placed into quarantine.
It became a necessity after Davis tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and Hershiser was a close contact. “We wish them both well and look forward to safely welcoming them back to the Dodger broadcast,” the team said in a statement. They added Davis was fully vaccinated.
A timetable for their return was not given, but Davis said he expects that to be the case for the final two games of the regular season against the Milwaukee Brewers. Meanwhile, Hershiser tested positive this past Monday and can’t return until Friday, Oct. 8, at the earliest.
Hi guys — your thoughts and encouragement have meant a lot. I'm doing great now. I hate not being there for these games, and will be back the minute protocols allow. That'll be Saturday for what I hope is a memorable finish.
— Joe Davis (@Joe_Davis) September 29, 2021
Davis first joined the Dodgers organization to call 50 games during the 2016 season, then he took on the full-time role once Vin Scully retire. Davis has additionally maintained his voice on the national level for both MLB and college football broadcasts.
Neverett filled in for Davis
During the stretch of games that Davis had been recovering, Tim Neverett assumed play-by-play duties for SportsNet LA and was accompanied by a rotation of analysts.
Former Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti was first to do so, and Rick Monday and Nomar Garciaparra have been among those to take their turns since.
Should the Dodgers reach the National League Division Series, Davis — and potentially Hershiser — would be on the call. National networks then take exclusive rights beginning with the NL Championship Series.
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