The job is difficult it requires late nights and fierce attention to detail. A very lucky break. Concisely. For the first time in his life, Choate was sitting in the stands at a home Phillies game and Dan Bakers voice did not fill the ballpark. [2][3] He has served as a PA voice for five World Series (1980, 1983, 1993, 2008 and 2009), 50th Congrats. "I had a wound vac coming out of my head, a tube coming out of my head, a PICC line in my arm, and a feeding tube in my stomach. / by Dan Roche. At the time, doctors replaced his cheekbone with bone and tissue from the lower half of his left leg. Dan Baker couldnt have hand-picked a better year to celebrate his 50th season as the in-stadium voice of the Philadelphia Phillies. He expected it to go into a pile somewhere. Dan Baker is a Philadelphia broadcasting legend best known as the voice of Veterans Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. It's actually a myth about how to make money on Facebook Dan Baker (born September 22, 1946) is an American public address announcer best known for many years as the voice of Veterans Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Press the red button and his recognizable voice blares throughout the ballpark. For instance, Monday night when rain forced Game 3s postponement. It energizes me being back here doing this again. left fielder Lou Brock." With that announcement, Dan Baker became the voice of Phillies games at Veterans Stadium. If you have ever been to one of these celebrations, you know the Phillies always excel at this sort of thing. Dan Baker Discusses 'Fairytale' Career on His Well-deserved Night By Bob Wankel August 5, 2022 The Phillies honored longtime public address announcer Dan Baker with a pregame ceremony Friday night. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hes not claiming magical clairvoyance. Baker has been the public address announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies since 1972 and was the public address announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1985 to 2014. After you have 24 surgeries and 30 radiation treatments, after a tumor is found in your right maxillary sinus, after you miss the 2020 season from all that, Baker will confirm, you feel especially blessed to still be at this. I met my wife here. Two children had worked at the ballpark during college both born in World Series years.. There are certain names that lend themselves to a more melodic interpretation, Baker said. What a joy it is to work with all of those people in the PhanaVision and scoreboard control room. Did Baker hear the boos from the concourse? "If the Phillies will have me and God blesses me with good health, and continue to perform at a high level, I want to set the record," Baker tells Skversky. PA Announcer Dan Baker Set to Celebrate 50 Years as Voice of Philadelphia Phillies During 2022 MLB Season - Sports Illustrated Inside The Phillies Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Dan. He is human. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. It feels like, Choate said, theres something missing.. "It makes me so happy to be at the ballpark. Were so lucky, those of us who have the privilege to play a part, even in a small way, to play a part in the game.. Baker had a script, taking fans inside the stadium and out on the sidewalk through the procedures in place. For me, what I do, is on full display and I just love doing it. Before that, he broadcast Philadelphia BIG 5 Basketball games for 21 years while additionally serving as its executive director from 1981 to 1996. Baker co-hosts a radio show on WBCB (AM) 1490 called "Bull Session" with former Philadelphia Phillies slugger Greg Luzinski, for whom the show is named. But in many ways, hes one of the many faces of the Phillies. 2021 The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, Jalen Hurts is PSWA Pro Athlete of the Year. Theyre terrific young people. He deserves every, Before The Phillies Acquired Noah Syndergaard, They Were In On These Pitchers. 27, Willie McCovey. I was embarrassed. "There was an electricity in that ballpark (during the opening homestand). Find out more. Normally the ad cost for an Instagram ad post is based on the number of followers on the account. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Depending upon the length of the elevator ride, hes miss one or two batters. And in the sport all about records, Baker wants to break the all-time record for most seasons as a public address announcer in baseball history. His pace is a bit slower as one might expect for a 75-year-old. He is the longest-tenured PA announcer in baseball, and as far as I can tell, any of the four major North American sports. I felt bad, Baker said. To be out there, in the beautiful weather of the spring and summer. With all these recent Phillies years in the wilderness, surely Dan Baker wondered: Would his voice ever be heard at a World Series again? Baker is the longtimer public address announcer for the Phillies. He checks every name in the starting lineups. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baker grew up in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey, and graduated from Audubon High School. At 50 years, Baker joins that elite legendary level while also living his dream. [3], Between Baker and former Chicago Cubs' public address announcer Pat Pieper, the 2020 MLB season will mark 104 consecutive seasons that one of them has been announcing games. Data shown reflects actual gross pay for 2021, except where noted otherwise. (Hunter Martin / Getty Images), Dan Bakers letter of recommendation. And I also try not to do it when its inappropriate.. There was no roar from the crowd, except for a dozen-or-so diehards that peered through the iron center field gates on step-stools to . Here he is announcing the 2008 Phillies lineup on the 10th anniversary season of the World Series title: The 2008 Phillies get announced by Dan Baker in their batting order. When Choate was 18 and headed for college, he wrote his idol a letter. During his time away from the game, the team frequently let him know that his booth would be waiting for him upon his return. Its the voice of summer for a lot of people in this area., (Top photo of Dan Baker throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day: Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Dan Baker's path back to his "happy place" wasn't easy. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. In 2022, the team held a special Dan Baker 50th Anniversary Salute Night on August 5, and to recognize his career milestone, he was chosen for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association. Broadcasting, I love with all my heart, Baker said. And, Baker said, luckily, my voice wasnt affected that much.. He is a master of precision in following scripts. The average salary for a baker in St. Louis County, MO is $29,000 per year. Hes always felt that his role, as part of the experience of going to a game, is to be part of the happiness, the ease of mind you feel, casting thoughts and worries aside for a few hours. If theres an uncertain name thats part of the pregame festivities, hell seek the proper pronunciation when he arrives on the field. "I'm flattered to be connected with Phillies baseball. . And rather than lament what could have been or what should have been or woe is me, its How lucky am I to do this? Ive felt that my whole life. Re-al-muto!, Thats what you live for, Baker said. Baker was named to the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1997 and was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Phillies games at Citizens Bank Park in 2020 were unlike any other. To be able to live the life that I have and announce the Phillies for 50 years. The 2022 Major League Baseball season saw the Phillies capture the National League pennant and appear in the eighth World Series in franchise history. (Courtesy of Justin Choate), Dan Baker, pictured in 2017, has been the voice at the Phillies ballpark for 50 years. Pieper from 1916 to 1974 and Baker from 1972present. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Please only use it for a guidance and Dan Baker (PA announcer)'s actual income may vary a lot from the dollar amount shown above. The last game that was played without Pieper or Baker announcing games was the 1915 World Series on October 13, 1915.[4]. He is paying it forward. Martin [Pirates catcher] can hit into double plays, and we need one," he muttered to anyone within earshot. let us know if you find any errors, updates, or corrections, Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball, Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE. I rededicated myself to make sure I didnt snub any player., Former second baseman Ted Sizemore, as a Rawlings Sporting Goods representative, returned to Veterans Stadium one time to present a Gold Glove Award to one of the Phillies players. So I get a certain amount of enjoyment out of doing that.. He would see me coming early to games and staying late, Baker said. I write sports columns focusing on colleges and Philly hoops. He says he hopes to continue as the team's public address announcer for another 10 years. Multiple generations of Phillies fans have formative memories narrated in Bakers cadence. The Phillies took Baker and his wife Cathy to Houston as their guests. I have wonderful family and friends and associates. As far as how long he wants to continue being the voice at Citizens Bank Park, Baker says he wants to stay as long as the Phillies will have him, but will step aside if he feels hes doing a disservice to himself or the team. If you noticed, I threw in an apology, said Baker, who is in strong contention for most polite man in Philadelphia sports, all-time. Baker's duties are similar to those he had as the public address announcer for the Eagles, which include energizing the crowd with his signature calls. ), READ MORE: Bryce Harpers legend grows as he homers on first World Series pitch he sees at Citizens Bank Park. I love it here so much. But because even after 50 years, he's as fiery as any fan and says there's always room for another ring. Choate works in marketing by day, then announces IronPigs games at night. Hes still going, much like the Energizer rabbit. It's a great honor for me. Hes not denying they are loud. A detailed schedule of the pregame events timed down to the second is available to the entire control room staff. He printed the letter Baker sent to Lehigh Valley on Choates behalf. After a half-century in the booth, Dan Baker still lending his voice to the Phillies. We present them here for purely educational purposes. His voice is his most recognizable trait. Baker had his right cheekbone removed in August of 2020 during a procedure where a cancerous tumor was taken out of his sinus. The Giants had Willie McCovey, No. This is almost like a fairytale existence. In front of Baker is a microphone on a stand and a control box with a red button. Next, the pregame script needs to be gone over more than once. "It provides me with so much enjoyment. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Of course, Ive lost nothing of the enthusiasm, the knowledge of when to emote, when not to emote, when to talk, when not to talk, Baker said. Baker was absent due to health issues. 55, catcher Russell Martin. Martin doubles into the left-field corner, driving in one run. But that is for the fans as opposed to doing something that maybe helps somebody else in a more concrete way. At just 25 years old, Baker started his Phillies public address announcing career in 1972 and he stayed aboard in the Vet until its final day, September 29, 2003. One time Rob Ducey, a really nice person, approached me. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Phillies public address announcer was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. He is thankful for the doctors and nurses at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Wills Eye Hospital who he says have amazing in helping him get back to the ballpark. He helped Baker land an interview. Baker has offered advice and written letters of recommendation. On May 7, 2014, the Eagles announced that Baker would no longer serve as their public address announcer, citing that they decided to make a change in the role. I try to do so when its appropriate. He just takes nothing for granted, Baker will quickly add, even if the man himself sounds remarkably the same. Baker was there at every step when Choate needed the confidence to audition in 2012 for the PA job at Double-A Reading; when he walked away from the job in 2017 to have his nights back with his newborn son; when baseball came calling again last April with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley gig. Baker's voice spans multiple sports and stadiums in South Philadelphia. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Central Bucks High School West. (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils are pleased to host 'Fightin Cancer' Night at FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, May 25th. St. Louis Cardinals 2023 salary cap table, including breakdowns of salaries, bonuses, incentives, cap figures, dead money and more. He has served as a public address announcer for five World Series, two Major League Baseball All-Star games, and three NFC . So, Choate had a free night. That voice belongs to Dan Baker. And, gosh, here I am lucky enough to still pursue this career that I love so much. He has been the longest-tenured PA voice in Major League Baseball since the New York Yankees' Bob Sheppard. Bryce Harpers legend grows as he homers on first World Series pitch he sees at Citizens Bank Park, Kyle Schwarber is the perfect leadoff hitter for this magical Phillies team, Phillies won 7-0 to take a 2-1 series lead, California residents do not sell my data request. His workstation for 81 games was the scoreboard control room on first-base side of the press level. Dan Baker (PA announcer) net worth 2.56 Million Millions of dollars 85% Net worth score Disclamer: Dan Baker (PA announcer) net worth displayed here are calculated based on a combination social factors. Phillies' legendary Public Address announcer Dan Baker is the longest tenured PA announcer in the MLB. Phillies. Those are his working tools. When the Phillies moved to Citizens Bank Park, the same routine would apply pregame and in-game. "Id like to go for the record [60 seasons]! The Phillies had Willie Montanez, No. Baker has been with the Phillies since 1972, their second season at Veterans Stadium. On the PA, the man remains quintessential Dan Baker. Final Veterans Stadium 7th Inning Stretch, "Summer Nights at the Ballpark with Dan Baker", "Eagles to replace public address announcer Dan Baker", "Phillies' Dan Baker battling for his return to Citizens Bank Park public address booth", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dan_Baker_(PA_announcer)&oldid=1120581505, People from West Deptford Township, New Jersey, Major League Baseball public address announcers, National Football League public address announcers, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 November 2022, at 19:23. I'm actually a Philadelphia native having moved to Mt. I just love doing it.". Baker, 74, was thrown a curveball last year. The club opens its season at Citizens Bank Park against the. (87-75, 3rd place in NL East). The 75-year-old then, just like he would if they were walking to the plate, rang off of a few of his most iconic player intros. He was 97 when he retired [announced his last game], Baker said of Sheppard. Baker paused, I guess it would be MICK-eee Moor-an-DIN-ee. The jobs, for most, are seasonal side gigs. There is something oddly specific about wanting to be a PA announcer. Hes also been known to cheer (again, off-mike). Ephraim, N.J., with my family at the age of 7 in 1954. And he, of course, moved with the club to Citizens Bank Park where hes continued to bring his crystal clear, energetic delivery to millions of fans since 2004. There are so many people who work at jobs and do great work and deserve all kinds of praise but they might not be in a position of visibility where theyre recognized or people see them, so to some extent, all of their accomplishments are done somewhat anonymously. The record shows it was the home opener on a Monday night, April 1972. Not close, he said, and thats with the roof on., Its right up there, Ill say that, Baker said of how this stacks up historically. We sat right behind Bobby Abreu. Its my 51st season, but Im calling it my 50th year, said Baker, who has been the dean of Major League Baseballs public address announcers for some years now, third on the all-time list. Or write about sports? He needed therapy, but now he's back at the ballpark and back in mid-season form. Baker had the franchise's full support. After you have cancer, its something that you monitor for the rest of your life, basically, Baker said. So Im not out of the screaming and shouting school. We also had some fun and had Dan announce our "walk-ups" as if we were on the Phillies. Just being at the games. This year will be Baker's 50th with the Phillies, but for a time in 2020 he wasn't sure he'd make it to that milestone. He earned his undergraduate degree at Glassboro State College (since renamed as Rowan University) and went on to earn a master's degree at Temple University.[1]. Choates parents had a Sunday ticket plan at Veterans Stadium when he was a kid growing up in Delaware County. The all-time list in his profession is topped by Pat Pieper, who worked the Wrigley Field PA system for the Cubs for 59 seasons, from 1916-74. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Players With Guaranteed Contracts (does not include players with options), Maximum value of options if all are exercised, Rough estimated value of all arbitration cases, Buyouts are always shown when years are options (. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The relief that his primary working instrument was largely unaffected had to be real. That voice belongs to Dan Baker. It was sort of magical for young me talking to somebody that I looked up to my entire life. It was just unbelievable to me. 27. Wanna follow Dan Baker (PA announcer)'s net worth? Dan Baker couldn't have hand-picked a better year to celebrate his 50th season as the in-stadium voice of the Philadelphia Phillies. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. They sat in right field. Data Provided By The voice was a new one to Phillies fans. Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. First, though, Bill Giles would make another assignment. It was just exciting to hear the fans. I was so proud and so touched by the outpouring of affection, by the sincerity, and the kind remarks that were made by Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa, Greg Luzinski, Jay Wright, Fran Dunphy, Bruiser Flint and Phil Martelli, Baker explained. In a race against the clock, hed dash off the field, head up a runway and hop on the press elevator hoping it is an express to the Hall of Fame Club level. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 12, second baseman, Mickey Morandini!, Now batting for the Phillies, No. 4 salaries for 4 jobs at Baker Hughes in St. Louis, MO. Proud, Baker said. Choate is convinced of this: If it wasnt for Baker calling, he would not be where he is now. Position: Relief Pitcher. Bob Sheppard was the voice of Yankee Stadium for 56 years. While the Mets, Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels all have payrolls that exceed $200 million, nine teams hold payrolls . Saw the Phillies Phillies took Baker and his wife Cathy to Houston their. Of recommendation 87-75, 3rd place in NL East ) New Jersey, three! Announcer Dan Baker still lending his voice to the Phillies took Baker and wife! Live for, Baker said pile somewhere serving as its executive director from 1981 to 1996 at ballpark. Retired [ announced his last Game ], Baker said a master of in. Baker ( PA announcer ) 's net worth Bakers cadence not Sports Reference dan baker phillies salary their. 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Defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023, including breakdowns of salaries, bonuses, incentives, figures...
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