Public Address announcers in ballparks

[Solair Wright]

This may have been posted from time to time, but does anyone have a list of PA announcers in ballparks? Or have a favorite PA announcer? I know that the Cardinals' PA announcer is John Ulett, the Yankees' PA announcer is Bob Sheppard, and the Giants' PA announcer is something-Moon. I can't think of her name, but she was the first woman to announce for a World Series game.

Anyway, does anyone have a list of them? I know I saw one, but don't have a link to it. But anyway, my favorite PA announcer is Bob Sheppard.

[kelford]

I don't know if there's a list anywhere, but maybe we can start one here.

The classic PA announcer for the Orioles was Rex Barney who is no longer with us. Famous for his trademark "Thank yooooouuuuuu," he was a mainstay at both 33rd street and Camden Yards.

To be honest, I'm not even sure who's doing it now for the brids. I don't think anyone has caught on quite the way Rex did.

[BigMac1212]

I liked our, the D-Backs, original announcer, Jeff Munn. Now, he's on the radio.

[MATHA531]

Classic PA announcers...Tex Rickard in Brooklyn (O'Malley didn't see fit to bring him with the team), Bob Shepard (spelling might be wrong) at Yankee Stadium (still going strong and has to be over 90 years old now). These guys no matter how much they were identified with their ball parks and their teams always announced the game the way it should be done, down the middle announcing the names of the players exactly the same way for both teams.

But it's a different era now....they announce players on the home team completely different than players on the visiting team..."leading off for yourrrrr (fill in the team) number whatever and then a long recital of the player's name like whatever.

It is much more asinine in both hockey and basketball. The classical NBA public address guy was the Knicks' Johnny Condon and he announced baskets and fouls the same exact way for both teams...now of course we have laser shows on the exploding scoreboards before the game that are supposed to get the fans all juiced up but to me these things demean the visiting team which, after all, provide half the entertainment.

The NHL is really bad...once upon a time a directive was sent out to PA announcers that goals and penalties were to be announced the same way for both teams....now you almost always get a completely different announcement for a home team goal....(scoring for yourrrrr (name the team) number (whatever) and then a long drawn out name of the player.

Oh for the days of the original 6 in the NHL when I can still hear the announcer at Maple Leaf Gardens in an even toned voice announcing "Toronto goal scored by number 14 Keon assists number 7 Horton and number 10 Armstrong, time 3:51 exactly the same way he would announce a New York goal (New York goal scored by number 9 Bathgate assists number 10 Ingarfield and number 17 Prentice time 4:13)...the tones and loudness of voice were exactly the same (and no laster shows and organ blasting away only when the home team scored)...those were the days sports were played and run by professionals not the garbage we have today.

[hsnterprize]

At U.S. Cellular Field, former local radio personality and station program director Gene Honda is the P.A. Announcer. His voice is so popular that he's also done the P.A. announcing for the NCAA Men's Final Four basketball championships over the past few years. If you have any tape of the past 3 or 4 Final Fours, pay attention to the announcing...you might hear his voice.

Honda also does the P.A. announcing for the Chicago Blackhawks, too.

[Astros]

J. Fred Duckett was a long time P.A. announcer for the Astros in the Astrodome from 1969-1992 and he passed away in late June of this year. He created the "Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzzz!!!" that became a staple in the Astrodome and even today as Cruz is on the coaching staff.

Derrick Grubbs took over for a little while and now he is with the Astros Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express, serving as their P.A. announcer.

Bob Ford, who is the voice behind almost all Fox Sports Net commercials, has been the P.A. announcer for the Astros since 1994.

[zengator]

Classic PA announcers...Tex Rickard in Brooklyn (O'Malley didn't see fit to bring him with the team), Bob Shepard (spelling might be wrong) at Yankee Stadium (still going strong and has to be over 90 years old now). These guys no matter how much they were identified with their ball parks and their teams always announced the game the way it should be done, down the middle announcing the names of the players exactly the same way for both teams.

But it's a different era now....they announce players on the home team completely different than players on the visiting team..."leading off for yourrrrr (fill in the team) number whatever and then a long recital of the player's name like whatever.

It is much more asinine in both hockey and basketball. The classical NBA public address guy was the Knicks' Johnny Condon and he announced baskets and fouls the same exact way for both teams...now of course we have laser shows on the exploding scoreboards before the game that are supposed to get the fans all juiced up but to me these things demean the visiting team which, after all, provide half the entertainment.

The NHL is really bad...once upon a time a directive was sent out to PA announcers that goals and penalties were to be announced the same way for both teams....now you almost always get a completely different announcement for a home team goal....(scoring for yourrrrr (name the team) number (whatever) and then a long drawn out name of the player.

Oh for the days of the original 6 in the NHL when I can still hear the announcer at Maple Leaf Gardens in an even toned voice announcing "Toronto goal scored by number 14 Keon assists number 7 Horton and number 10 Armstrong, time 3:51 exactly the same way he would announce a New York goal (New York goal scored by number 9 Bathgate assists number 10 Ingarfield and number 17 Prentice time 4:13)...the tones and loudness of voice were exactly the same (and no laster shows and organ blasting away only when the home team scored)...those were the days sports were played and run by professionals not the garbage we have today.

I agree. To go to yet another sport, Jim Finch was the PA announcer at Florida Field (aka "The Swamp") for over 40 years until passing away in 2002 (right after Spurrier left; it was a trying time...). Ecept for his glorious call of "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere come the Gators!" as the team took the field, he was as profesional and even-handed as I've ever heard.

"Pass from Wuerffel, complete to Green, tackled by Jones. First down Florida" or "Dunn on the carry, tackled by Bates and Brown. First down Florida State", his powerful baritone was always even and direct.

Once when I was a young-un, my family went to church in Gainesville the morning after a night game. I was zoning out as this little elderly man with white hair and a white goatee went up to do a reading. And then, like a bolt from above, Jim Finch's resounding voice poured out of that little guy and filled the church to bursting. When he was done, I wanted to cheer or do the Gator chomp or something. After the service, I went up and shook his hand. It was a memorable moment.

[Elvis]

The Dodgers PA guy is Eric Smith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESNlvOwtYYc Smith is also the PA for the Clippers.

The Angels is David Courtney, who is also the PA for the Kings, and the traffic reporter at KABC radio.

L.A.'s most well known PA guy was John Ramsey, the longtime PA voice of the Dodgers, Lakers, Kings, Angels and USC.

[nymdan]

The Mets announcer is Alex Anthony.

[Lafferty Daniel]

Former Twins PA announcer Bob Casey.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/images/2005/03/26/eVpvMm6A.jpg

RIP

[soberdennis]

There will never be another like Bob Sheppard. I grew up with him. He was and still is special.
Last year he missed opening day for the first time in 56 years. He came back a few weeks later.
I have a special memory. A few years ago I was at Jack Murphy Stadium for the first and to my knowledge so far only regular season series between the Yanks and Pads in San Diego. When it came time for the PA to announce the starting lineups, a very familiar sounding voice out of the past was heard. What a thrill it was when I realized the Padres were having Sheppard announce the Yankee lineup.

[Yankeefan90]

My favorite announcer is Bob Sheppard, but that's because I'm a Yankee fan and I really don't pay attention to other announcers really. Sheppard is so synonomous with Yankee Stadium, and the guys that announce on the days Sheppard isn't there, try to sound like him and it's annoying. Once he goes it's going to be wierd, but so is going to a new Yankee Stadium. I hope Sheppard lives for the new one, he really is old though. But the guy will never die, he will always live on in Yankee Stadium lore.

[marlins739]

The Marlins announcer is Dick Sanford, I think he's got a good voice. Is the Giants announcer still the only female MLB PA announcer? She was good too

Bob Sheppard will always be special. I think a lot of the whole mystique they always talk about at Yankee Stadium was from his voice coming over the loudspeakers. Reggie Jackson called it "the voice of God." He is the voice of Yankees history, but the guy is 96 years old, and there may be a point where he doesn't want to do it anymore. It would almost be fitting if he retired after the 2008 season, because it won't be the same at the new stadium

[PeteU]

I don't know if there's a list anywhere, but maybe we can start one here.

The classic PA announcer for the Orioles was Rex Barney who is no longer with us. Famous for his trademark "Thank yooooouuuuuu," he was a mainstay at both 33rd street and Camden Yards.

To be honest, I'm not even sure who's doing it now for the brids. I don't think anyone has caught on quite the way Rex did.

Rex Barney was a classic.

Who could forget "Give that fan a contract!" whenever a fan caught a foul ball in the stands?

His voice is very much missed.

[Urbanshocker13]

Has to be Bob Sheppard "the voice of Yankee Stadium" ( and if there is a god that is what I think it sounds like :)) When you are in the Stadium and you hear his voice echo it is really amazing! He has been doing yankee games since 1951 and before that he did the New York Football GIants PA and did so to very recently. I hope he is still around for the New stadium I can't think how you can replace him!

[PeteU]

Sheppard, Casey, Barney--it seems like all the classic ones have sadly passed on.

[Candlestick60]

The Mets announcer is Alex Anthony.

The mets past PA announcers included Jack lightcap Lauren Mathews and jack franchtti:gt C60

[placount]

Former Twins PA announcer Bob Casey.

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/images/2005/03/26/eVpvMm6A.jpg

RIP

even as a little kid hearing him call out kirby's name sent shivers down my spine

[nymdan]

Sheppard, Casey, Barney--it seems like all the classic ones have sadly passed on.

Bob Sheppard is still alive...

[sfgiants29]

This may have been posted from time to time, but does anyone have a list of PA announcers in ballparks? Or have a favorite PA announcer? I know that the Cardinals' PA announcer is John Ulett, the Yankees' PA announcer is Bob Sheppard, and the Giants' PA announcer is something-Moon. I can't think of her name, but she was the first woman to announce for a World Series game.

Anyway, does anyone have a list of them? I know I saw one, but don't have a link to it. But anyway, my favorite PA announcer is Bob Sheppard.


Her name is Renel Brooks-Moon. Her first job is being a morning radio host in San Francisco.

Heres an article posted yesterday about her: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070830&content_id=2179418&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

[Elvis]

Bob Sheppard is still alive...

Hard to believe that the Yankee's PA man is older than the Titanic. :nod:

[Great One]

Bob Shepard is something like 96 years old and had done the PA work for the New York Giants football club until about a year or two ago. He will always be the best IMO. The other ones that I am currently familiar with is Dan Baker for the Phillies and there is also a woman in San Francisco. According to an article on mlb.com, her name is Renel and is also a morning radio show host. I don't know much about her other than that she is the first woman to be named a pa announcer for a baseball team.

[Gary Dunaier]

The mets past PA announcers included Jack lightcap Lauren Mathews and jack franchtti

Jack Lightcap and Jack Franchetti were the only two men to be PA announcer at Shea in a year when the Mets won the World Series. Hopefully Alex Anthony will be able to add his name to that exclusive club.

I remember during the 1986 NLCS, the first game was played at Houston, and they included the Astrodome PA's introduction of the players. Naturally, the guy went all "homer" when it came time to introduce the Astros, such that the broadcasters commented something to the effect that the guy at Shea would have a pretty tough job beating that. Unfortunately, America never got to find out, because when they broadcast the first game at Shea, the TV did not include Jack Franchetti's introductions... we'd have to wait until the World Series to hear his voice on the TV.

The Mets' media guide, which I don't have on me at the moment, lists all of the club's public address announcers.

But who can forget the unknown (to me) gentleman who announced the players in Montreal's Jarry Park? Thanks to him, fans of a certain era will never forget the names, at least, of such "commons" as... Jooooooooooohn Baaaaaaa.....ka-bell-laaaaaaaa (John Boccabella).

[nymdan]

The Mets' media guide, which I don't have on me at the moment, lists all of the club's public address announcers.

I have mine with me.

Jack E. Lee (1962-August 1966)
Dan Reilly (Two homestands in 1966)
Jack Lightcap (1966-1970)
Loren Matthews (1970-1976)
Jack Franchetti (1977-1987)
Pete Larkin (1988-1993)
Don/Doug Gould (1994)
Del Demontreaux (1995-1999)
Roger Luce (2000-2003)
Alex Anthony (2003-present)

[MATHA531]

Jack Lightcap and Jack Franchetti were the only two men to be PA announcer at Shea in a year when the Mets won the World Series. Hopefully Alex Anthony will be able to add his name to that exclusive club.

I remember during the 1986 NLCS, the first game was played at Houston, and they included the Astrodome PA's introduction of the players. Naturally, the guy went all "homer" when it came time to introduce the Astros, such that the broadcasters commented something to the effect that the guy at Shea would have a pretty tough job beating that. Unfortunately, America never got to find out, because when they broadcast the first game at Shea, the TV did not include Jack Franchetti's introductions... we'd have to wait until the World Series to hear his voice on the TV.

The Mets' media guide, which I don't have on me at the moment, lists all of the club's public address announcers.

But who can forget the unknown (to me) gentleman who announced the players in Montreal's Jarry Park? Thanks to him, fans of a certain era will never forget the names, at least, of such "commons" as... Jooooooooooohn Baaaaaaa.....ka-bell-laaaaaaaa (John Boccabella).

The guy in Montreal was named Claude Mouton who also did PA work for Canadiens at the Forum....but it was totally bush league and I still think the PA announcer is an integral part of the officiating of the game (after all once the PA announces a player is in the game and not before the player is in the gam)...they should be required ot announce the players of eqch team exactly the same way during the game.....

[driver62]

My favorite PA announcer was Paul Sommerkamp who was the PA man for the Reds for many years.

He was credited with being the first to repeat the players last name. EX: Batting first...the third baseman Pete Rose...Rose. It was said he did that to give the fans who were keeping score, time to write the players name in the scorebook.

I believe Paul has passed away.

[icee82]

I agree on Sommerkamp. I never heard him at Crosley but I heard him at Riverfront. Everytime he introduced the team before all of those playoff games at Riverfront, I got goose bumps.

[Seattle1]

This may have been posted from time to time, but does anyone have...a favorite PA announcer?

Tom Green (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcGvZJduekQ) for the Staten Island Yankees is pretty good.

;)

:laugh

[west coast orange and black]

renel brooks-moon currently does the pa at mays field.
the popular radio deejay replaced sherry davis, who announced at candlestick park as baseball's first female pa announcer.
(maybe davis was the first female pa announcer of all the major professional sports.)

[Elvis]

renel brooks-moon currently does the pa at mays field.
the popular radio deejay replaced sherry davis, who announced at candlestick park as baseball's first female pa announcer.
(maybe davis was the first female pa announcer of all the major professional sports.)

http://sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/03/31/ho_at_home_renel_049.jpg

[Great One]

renel brooks-moon currently does the pa at mays field.
the popular radio deejay replaced sherry davis, who announced at candlestick park as baseball's first female pa announcer.
(maybe davis was the first female pa announcer of all the major professional sports.)

I think you are correct. Sherry Davis sounded familiar to me for some reason. Now I know why.

[rdonahue]

...the Giants' PA announcer is something-Moon. I can't think of her name, but she was the first woman to announce for a World Series game.


She's TERRIBLE! I've got nothing against women wanting to do this, but the way she yells and screams is so irritating. Her voice is pretty irritating, too - she sounds sort of like Jeanie Zylasko (sp?). Couldn't they have found someone else to be the first female PA announcer?

[Phillies1883]

My favorite is the Phillies PA Announcer, Dan Baker.... he's got a great voice. I still get "goosebumps" when I here him say "Now Batting for the Phillies, Number 26, Secondbaseman.... Chase Utley".

I've gotta give number 2 to Bob Sheppard. What a great thing it is to hear him knowing he's been at Yankee Stadium since 1951.

[Gooseamania]

The PA Announcer for the Red Sox is Carl Beane.

[teamrap]

"LADIES & GENTLEMEN, BOYS & GIRLS ... WELCOME TO FENWAY PARK"
..... Sherm Feller (28 years)

Currently it's is Carl Beane

John Kiley on the organ (live) is the only man ever to "play" for the Red Sox, Celtics & Bruins (35 years)

[Kentucky Bomber]

According to the Yanks' Media Guide the original PA man in YS was Jack Lenz, who had shared the duties with George Levy at the Polo Grounds and moved across the river with the Yanks, although on Opening Day in 1923 the crowd was so big they shared the duties again. This was before electronic PA systems, so he would walk around the stadium with an enormous megaphone and announce the lineups over and over to the sections. It looks like Lenz stayed through the 30's or so, and that Red Patterson, the Yanks' publicity man, did the announcing after WWII up through 1950. Then came Sheppard. It's Jim Hill now, and he will probably stay. He has the sound the Yankees want. It would appear they don't have a reliably complete list.

PA announcing at the Stadium was very bare bones until the mid-1960's. Most of it before the game with the greeting and lineups and the introduction of the player only for his first at-bat. After that only introduction of players as they replaced the original lineups.

[DM23MVP]

Bob Sheppard is and always will be the greatest PA Announcer in all of sports, I really missed hearing him this year at the Stadium, but I'm hopeful that he'll make a comeback next year in the new park.

Bob Sheppard = The Voice of God

[JT7]

The Dodgers PA guy is Eric Smith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESNlvOwtYYc Smith is also the PA for the Clippers.

The Angels is David Courtney, who is also the PA for the Kings, and the traffic reporter at KABC radio.

L.A.'s most well known PA guy was John Ramsey, the longtime PA voice of the Dodgers, Lakers, Kings, Angels and USC.

For some reason, the Dodgers seem to go for the same style. Deep voiced but not a overly excited PA Announcer. Before Eric Smith, it was radio personality Mike Carlucci.

[doctor_gogol]

Joe Gentile was the long time Detroit Tigers PA announcer. He was awesome!

[Goober]

Pat Piper was the Bob Sheppard of Wrigley Field - announcing from either a table on the field in the very early days, or the first row of the grandstand later - he could always be counted on for his famous, "Ladies and gentleman, get your pencils and scorecards ready!"

Currently, it's Wayne Messmer who is the PA voice at Wrigley. He also occasionally sings the National Anthem. His story is really amazing, as he was shot in the throat in 1994 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dATFUbrZw7Q) as a victim of a mugging.

Moose

[J.R.]

I like Messmer at Wrigley, and the guy at Shea is good too.

The girl in Frisco is horrible.

[soup]

Messmer is really classy

[Philtration]

I remember Pat Pieper being the Cubs PA anouncer when I was a kid.
He did the games at Wrigley for 59 years.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/phil62/baseball%20site/strawhats.jpg

Pieper at Wrigley Field Sept. 1, 1932

[icee82]

Who can ever forget Paul Sommerkamp at old Crosley Field in Cincinnati and in the early years at old Riverfront Stadium. "Now batting No. 14 Pete Rose...Rose".

[OBomb]

Bob Sheppard is hands down, my personal top Public Address announcer. I heard him for the first time when I was 9 at a game between the Yankees and California Angels. But when I returned to the stadium three years later in a game against the Mariners was I able to truly appreciate the man. I would be nice if he could at least do the first game next season at the new Yankee Stadium, even if his voice has to be recorded. Any indication if Derek Jeter will continue to use a recording of Sheppard's voice each time he comes to the plate at the new place?

Just to throw these trivia items in here, the PA announcer at Petco Park is Frank Anthony, who also doubles as a DJ for an oldies station. The former PA announcer at Jack Murphy/Qualcomm Stadium, Bruce Binkowski, has been the chair of the Holiday Bowl Committee for the last 10 years or so.

[Aviator_Frank]

I like Messmer at Wrigley, and the guy at Shea is good too.

The girl in Frisco is horrible.

I just saw/heard Wayne Messmer sing the anthem last week for the first time. He's very good. How many other PAs were singers as well?

[DaBigMotor]

The late Joe Gentile was the PA announcer for Tiger Stadium, for both the Tigers and Lions.

[Chuck]

Charlie Jones at Sportsman's/Busch I.

[Tampa Bay Giants]

I agree on Sommerkamp. I never heard him at Crosley but I heard him at Riverfront. Everytime he introduced the team before all of those playoff games at Riverfront, I got goose bumps.

Paul Sommerkamp was THE best stadium announcer I have ever heard...period.

I have seen MLB games in 22 different parks and Sommerkamp tops them all.

Yes, he passed away a number of years ago.

[Kentucky Bomber]

I remember Pat Pieper being the Cubs PA anouncer when I was a kid.
He did the games at Wrigley for 59 years.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/phil62/baseball%20site/strawhats.jpg

Pieper at Wrigley Field Sept. 1, 1932

And he made a very nice living selling hats on the side.

Bob Sheppard is a legend, but he's quite old and frail now. I'm sure every effort will be made to have him there when NYS opens, but I don't know what else he'll be able to do.

[DJ Starion]

At U.S. Cellular Field, former local radio personality and station program director Gene Honda is the P.A. Announcer. His voice is so popular that he's also done the P.A. announcing for the NCAA Men's Final Four basketball championships over the past few years. If you have any tape of the past 3 or 4 Final Fours, pay attention to the announcing...you might hear his voice.

Honda also does the P.A. announcing for the Chicago Blackhawks, too.

The main sports I go to here are Blackhawks and White Sox games, so I get to hear Honda a LOT. What was odd was hearing Gene be the PA announcer at the Winter Classic at Wrigley.

[Paul W]

Fenway Park's Sherm Feller - http://www.shermfeller.com/

Shea Stadium - Jack E. Lee '64-'66,
Jack Lightcap '66-'70,
Loren Matthews '70-'76,
Jack Franchetti '77-'87 http://jfci.com/instructors/jackf.htm,
Pete Larkin '88-'93,
Don & Doug Gould '94 http://www.cflradio.net/don_gould_bio.htm,
Del Demontreaux '95-'99,
Roger Luce 2K-'03,
Alex Anthony '03-now http://www.waterworx.com/staff_alex.html

Don Gould was at NBC for years. Del Demontreaux was on NY radio (WHN). Alex Anthony is on NY area radio now. Roger Luce is on NY radio (WBAB).

Veterans Stadium/Citizens Bank Park - Dan Baker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LzEcNFr0w&feature=related

Jarry Park - Don't remember his name, but you can hear him about three quarters through this CBC audio clip about organist Fernand LaPierre in '73 http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/clips/3284/

More to come

[NeoExelor]

I'm a big fan of Alex Anthony. When you hear his voice, you know your at a Mets game.

For what that's worth :P

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

How about this one - finally! An announcer we can all understand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cvotwO0Kwo

[DiggerODell]

I think a persons fav PA announcer is typically the individual they have heard the most, and get used too, and gain so many memories with. You become familiar with their cadence.

Roy Steele, The Oakland A's PA 1968-present, has always been one of my fav's, I remember his "deep based delivery" from the early 1970's at the OC. And yes, I remember "batting for the A's, number 9, Reggie Jackson". Sorry Yanks . . . that was his number with the A's. Or, "Pitching for your Oakland A's today, number 14, Vida Blue." Sorry about all that reminicing (Glory days . . yea they'll pass you bye, glory days, In the wink of a young girls eye" . . . ha!)

Another is Alan Roach, the Colorado Rockies PA from 1993-2005. I realize some don't like the "excited voiced PA, or the subjective PA" and there is something to be said for that . . . but you have never heard anything as great as "Now batting for the Rockies, number 10, Daaaaaaante Bichette!" or . . .number 14, Adres . . . Gallllaraaagha" ha! Beautiful days and nights listening to ole Al up at the mike. I'm not a big fan of his replacement Kelly Burnham, he's ok . .but no pazaaaz.

As for Renel Brooks-Moon 2000-present of the San Francisco Giants I think she has a very nice relaxed delivery and I was impressed when I attended a game at PacBell in 2000.

[OffTheTable65]

Fenway Park's Sherm Feller - http://www.shermfeller.com/

Shea Stadium - Jack E. Lee '64-'66,
Jack Lightcap '66-'70,
Loren Matthews '70-'76,
Jack Franchetti '77-'87 http://jfci.com/instructors/jackf.htm,
Pete Larkin '88-'93,
Don & Doug Gould '94 http://www.cflradio.net/don_gould_bio.htm,
Del Demontreaux '95-'99,
Roger Luce 2K-'03,
Alex Anthony '03-now http://www.waterworx.com/staff_alex.html

Alex Anthony is on NY area radio now. Roger Luce is on NY radio (WBAB).

Veterans Stadium/Citizens Bank Park - Dan Baker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-LzEcNFr0w&feature=related


Among the Mets' PA announcers, Roger Luce was my favorite. Good voice, and wouldn't go over-the-top when announcing lineups, scoring plays, etc. He currently does PA announcing for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, in addition to his 'BAB work.

Dan Baker...his voice would echo throughout Veterans Stadium...especially when the Phillies were bad in the mid-late '90s and they would draw about 20,000 per-game in a 62,000 seat stadium. My friends and I would really enjoy it when he tried to sell "Mi-drayyyyy Cummings" or "Rick-yyyyyyyy Oh-tero" just like he would for any high-profile player. Solid announcer. He does play-by-play for college basketball games too, I think for Drexel.

Bob Sheppard at Yankee Stadium is a legend...how many of us have tried doing our own impersonations of him? Oh....umm, me neither. :) Hopefully he can get well enough to attend some games at the new Stadium.

I used to love hearing Rex Barney in Baltimore as well...the old "Give that fan a contract!" line when a foul ball was caught in the crowd. Simply endearing.

[Aviator_Frank]

How about this one - finally! An announcer we can all understand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cvotwO0Kwo

Ah yes - the McDonald's Drive-Thru training video. Nice find. :D

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Ah yes - the McDonald's Drive-Thru training video. Nice find. :D

Although admittedly it can be the fault of the PA system as much as that of the person speaking into it. As anyone who's been down an echoey hospital corridor can attest. :D

[Greg B.]

Jarry Park - Don't remember his name, but you can hear him about three quarters through this CBC audio clip about organist Fernand LaPierre in '73 http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/clips/3284/


In the immortal words of Phil Rizzuto, "Holy Cow!"

Thank you so much for this link! It is simply incredible because it has just taken me back in time 35 years or so, to relive the experience of attending games at Parc Jarry. The only thing missing is the smell of cigarette smoke. Fern Lapierre was/is a genius at "announcing" a game with the organ. It was a bit like being trapped inside a cartoon when you were attending a game there and listening to his wacky musical play by play. And to hear P.A. announcer Claude Mouton again, along with the crowd's unusual chatter in franglais, a unique mixture of French with English... just remarkable.

You can hear most of "Les Expos Sont La", the Expos theme song, in the clip. Unfortunately missing was this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iExQODSnMHM&feature=channel

which Fern played every game. He loved polkas, it seemed.

Unfortunately I cannot find anything that would let you hear him playing the Expos other theme song, "The Happy Wanderer". But it, along with all the other tunes he played, was just utterly joyful.

Thanks for letting me relive a bit of my youth again.

[Gary Dunaier]

Bob Sheppard is a legend, but he's quite old and frail now. I'm sure every effort will be made to have him there when NYS opens, but I don't know what else he'll be able to do.

My understanding is that his doctors are concerned about his travelling, but if there's no problem with him announcing - just speaking into a microphone and talking - is it possible somehow for the Yankees to arrange some kind of connection, fiber optic or whatever, so that he could do the announcements, live, from his home? Didn't he do the starting lineups for the final game live from home?

[Kentucky Bomber]

My understanding is that his doctors are concerned about his travelling, but if there's no problem with him announcing - just speaking into a microphone and talking - is it possible somehow for the Yankees to arrange some kind of connection, fiber optic or whatever, so that he could do the announcements, live, from his home? Didn't he do the starting lineups for the final game live from home?

He recorded at least a couple of the things he did that night. I don't know if he did the lineups live or not, but certainly what you propose is entirely doable, and everyone would like it to happen for the Opener.

[bluejaysfan]

In Toronto we had Murray Eldon up until 2005 when he was replaced by Tim Langton. Eldon was pretty well liked, and Langton doesn't take anything away from the game IMO.

Bob McCown, whom Canadians might know as host as Prime Time Sports, did some PA work at Exhibition Stadium I believe.

[87Twins91]

I can't wait until 2010 for the Twin's outdoor ballpark, where I'll actually be able to understand what the P.A. announcer says. Same goes for the Gopher's new outdoor stadium this fall.

God bless Bob Casey and RIP, he was one of the great P.A. announcers, but I'll be damned if I understood a word he ever said at the Metrodome (outside of Kirbyyy Puckett!) because of his voice bouncing off the ceiling and walls of the dome.

[HollandsComet]

The Royals' original PA announcer was a guy named Jack Layton. He went all the way back to when the team played at old Municipal Stadium and remained with the team at Royals (Kauffman) Stadium until he passed away in the mid-'80s. I loved the way he used to enunciate players' names like "A-Mos O-Tis" and "Hal MAC-Rae".

[fitch94]

Sherm Feller........the Voice of God. He was the man.

http://www.shermfeller.com/

[Paul W]

Greg B., i'm listening to fern as i write - found those utube clips a while ago and wish there were more...
been a fan of fern since first hearing him during mets telecasts in mtl. in '96! btw - thanks for remembering claude moutoun, didn't he also do pa for the habs?
i've attached pix of two album covers of expos music that he was involved with, u ever seen them?
he used to have a teaching studio outside of the city on the island, not sure where he is now...
also recorded the sounds of olympic stadium with his music (and the echo) on a cassette tape but not sure how to get it in my mac. any ideas? i'll see if i can move some mp3's i have to this thread...

[mets16]

Greg B., i'm listening to fern as i write - found those utube clips a while ago and wish there were more...
been a fan of fern since first hearing him during mets telecasts in mtl. in '96!
i've attached pix of two album covers of expos music that he was involved with, u ever seen them?
also recorded the sounds of olympic stadium with his music (and the echo) on a cassette tape but not sure how to get it in my mac. any ideas? i'll see if i can move some mp3's i have to this thread...

I remastered some old records to my mac using Toast.. It works good

[Paul W]

the last 2 years at oys, when i got in early i used to visit w/bob sheppard at his spot in the press area which was open to the crowd. he knew my parents who had worked in the front office during the mid 50's and were the 1st club employees to get married. he would give me a writer's scorecard which was much different that the one's on sale (attach) and always ask "how is your mother?..."
damn, never took a pix w/him!

[DMR67442]

When Reggie Jackson was on his last trip into fenway park, he was interviewed by the red sox tv . One of his wishes was to have a tape of Sherm Feller anouncing his name when coming to bat. He had the tape in his hand during the interview
He did say there was another anouncer he wished to have a tape of, it was either Bob Sheppeard or The Oakland A's announcer. :hissyfit: :debate:

[ericlc129]

even as a little kid hearing him call out kirby's name sent shivers down my spine

Everyone can do a Bob Casey impression. That's the true mark of a legend. But the new guy isn't bad. Adam Abrams (formerly of KOOL 108 fame-107.9 here in the Twin Cities).
I just hate the one guy for the promo spots; not sure of his name, maybe Daniel can help me out. He's done the between innings contests and he's sometimes heard outside the Dome on the speakers...He is annoying as hell.

[mlh1981]

I like the guy who does the Pirates games. Good voice for baseball.

[JAD7]

The Marlins announcer is Dick Sanford, I think he's got a good voice. Is the Giants announcer still the only female MLB PA announcer? She was good too

Bob Sheppard will always be special. I think a lot of the whole mystique they always talk about at Yankee Stadium was from his voice coming over the loudspeakers. Reggie Jackson called it "the voice of God." He is the voice of Yankees history, but the guy is 96 years old, and there may be a point where he doesn't want to do it anymore. It would almost be fitting if he retired after the 2008 season, because it won't be the same at the new stadium

Bob Sheppard use to do the New York football Giants games also.

[mrcub92]

i like

Bob Casey heard at the Metrodome once loved his energy and humor.
Wayne Messmer- Good announcer and anthem singer
Gene Honda love his voice he is a big time cheerleader when announcing white sox player though.

[klomp44]

Everyone can do a Bob Casey impression. That's the true mark of a legend. But the new guy isn't bad. Adam Abrams (formerly of KOOL 108 fame-107.9 here in the Twin Cities).
I just hate the one guy for the promo spots; not sure of his name, maybe Daniel can help me out. He's done the between innings contests and he's sometimes heard outside the Dome on the speakers...He is annoying as hell.

Didn't a woman do it for a while?

[UnderPressure]

This Giants' PA announcer is annoying. If I were the Giants, I'd get rid of her and replace her with someone who actually has a decent voice.

[mrcub92]

I also hope that bob sheppard gets well soon i have always wanted to hear him announce a game in person.

[RangerRed]

Chuck Morgan is the PA Announcer at The Ballpark In Arlington.

Can't imagine a Rangers game without him.

He has a great voice. Good enthusiasim for the Rangers.

[Paul W]

This Giants' PA announcer is annoying. If I were the Giants, I'd get rid of her and replace her with someone who actually has a decent voice.

ain't gonna happen, too politically correct...

[S4L]

Tim DeBacco for the Pirates is a very good announcer. He's only in his forties, but he's been announcing for them since 1994.

I'll always remember his remember of "Shortstop, number two... JACKWILSON" (really quick, sounding like one word).

Here's a link to an interview and short video of him: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_630546.html

[icee82]

My favorite announcer was Paul Sommerkamp with the Reds in the early
1970's. Now batting for the Reds, Number 14 Pete Rose, Rose.

Also another announcer that was very good was Dan Baker with the Phillies.

[EdTarbusz]

My favorite announcer was at Cleveland Stadium in the early seventies. I have no idea who it was. For both the Indians and the visiting team, for the players first AB he would say 'batting in the first position, the centerfielder, number one, Del Unser.' Each subsequent AB would be a simple 'Del Unser'. I liked the minimalism.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUyLwXhqlWU

Brings a tear to my eye and warmth to my heart! ;)

Even Sheppard sounds illiterate next to her.

[mets16]

I like the guy from the Dodgers games. He also does the Clippers too. I will be starting school for communications, and I really want to get into Public Address. So I like to mix alot of styles. I can tell you what, I will never, ever, ever, be a screaming madman. I can't stand those guys.

[UnderPressure]

I like the guy from the Dodgers games. He also does the Clippers too. I will be starting school for communications, and I really want to get into Public Address. So I like to mix alot of styles. I can tell you what, I will never, ever, ever, be a screaming madman. I can't stand those guys.

Eric Smith is no longer the Clippers' PA announcer. Unfortunately (in my opinion, even though I'm also a Kings fan), David Courtney, who also works for the Kings and Angels, has been the new Clippers PA announcer since last year. I'm just not a fan of Courtney's voice.

[jnakamura]

Eric Smith is no longer the Clippers' PA announcer. Unfortunately (in my opinion, even though I'm also a Kings fan), David Courtney, who also works for the Kings and Angels, has been the new Clippers PA announcer since last year. I'm just not a fan of Courtney's voice.

I have never liked Courtney since he first replaced one of my favorite PA guys, Dennis Packer in 1988. I think bruce McNall fired Packer when he took over the Kings. Packer did the Kings, Angels and USC football, and was a mentor to the Dodgers' Eric Smith. Not sure whatever happened to him these days.

[The Korean]

Eric Smith is no longer the Clippers' PA announcer. Unfortunately (in my opinion, even though I'm also a Kings fan), David Courtney, who also works for the Kings and Angels, has been the new Clippers PA announcer since last year. I'm just not a fan of Courtney's voice.

Kings, as in LA Kings, the hockey team?

[jnakamura]

Kings, as in LA Kings, the hockey team?

Yes, the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL.

[The Korean]

^Are they even relevant in the city of Angels?

[UnderPressure]

You always find a way to talk smack about anything Los Angeles, don't you? Give it a rest.

[The Korean]

^I love LA.What are you talking about? I never said Dodgers were bad and no one cared about them. I know they are number 2, right after the Lakers.

But Kings, are they relevant?

[UnderPressure]

Yes, they are more popular in LA than the Islanders in NY. Are you trying to imply that LA isn't a hockey town? Hah.

And I've seen you post in the Dodger Stadium thread, saying Dodger fans don't care about the playoffs or something like that.

[Jim Vaz]

^I love LA.What are you talking about? I never said Dodgers were bad and no one cared about them. I know they are number 2, right after the Lakers.

But Kings, are they relevant?

No not really, but they are actually more popular then the Clippers. Of course that does not say much.

The only two teams that matter in LA are the Lakers and USC football, then the Dodgers when they are good and if you want to throw UCLA basketball a bone fine.