Boston, MA – April 24, 2013 – Veteran sportscaster and play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci has been named the radio play-by-play announcer for the New England Patriots on 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM), the official flagship radio station of the three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Socci will join color commentator Scott Zolak in the booth to provide in-depth analysis of every Patriots game. Socci replaces the renowned Gil Santos, who retired after the 2012 season after 36 seasons of calling Patriots games. Socci's appointment is effective immediately, according to an announcement made earlier today by Mike Thomas, Vice President of Programming for CBS RADIO Boston.
"Bob has more than 16 years of play-by-play experience," said Thomas. "We were impressed with his extensive work and expertise calling various football and baseball games and he's a local guy with great knowledge of the Patriots. No doubt, Bob has big shoes to fill, but we are excited about this new era of play-by-play with Bob and Scott."
"This is the thrill of a lifetime to get the opportunity from 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Patriots organization to continue the tradition established by the legendary Gil Santos to be the play-by-play announcer for the New England Patriots," said Socci about his new role. "I look forward to teaming up with Scott in the booth and building on The Sports Hub's great success."
For the past 16 years, Socci has called radio play-by-play for the U.S. Naval Academy football team. He is also the lead announcer for CBS Sports Network's coverage of Patriot League college basketball. Socci resides in Milton, MA with his wife, Monique Tello, and two children, Gio and Maria.
In addition to being the official flagship station for the New England Patriots, 98.5 The Sports Hub is also the official flagship station of the Boston Bruins and the New England Revolution.
Boston's 98.5 The Sports Hub is owned by CBS RADIO, a division of CBS Corporation. CBS RADIO, one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States, operates 126 radio stations, the majority of which are in the top 50 markets, including Boston's WBMX-FM (MIX 104.1), WBZ-AM (NewsRadio 1030), WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub), WODS-FM (103.3 AMP Radio) and WZLX-FM (Classic Rock 100.7).
