Along the way, the Phillies celebrated Baker's remarkable longevity with 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. Along the way, the Phillies celebrated Bakers remarkable longevity with the franchise, which also marks the third-longest public address announcing career in Major League Baseball history. In the same way that many people of a certain age grew up saying the names of Phillies stars in a Harry Kalas-esque voice, if youve watched the team over the last half century, its impossible not to think of how Baker introduced them as they walked to the plate. The 2022 Major League Baseball season saw the Phillies capture the National League pennant and appear in the eighth World Series in franchise history. "Now batting for the Phillies, No. Dan Baker, the longest-tenured public address announcer in Major League Baseball, is back behind the mic at Citizens Bank Park after a battle with cancer. Who is he and where did he come from? The Phillies will honor Baker before Friday nights game. Dan Baker has been the public address announcer at Citizens Bank Park for a generation. He printed the letter Baker sent to Lehigh Valley on Choates behalf. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Baker worked as a spotter and statistician for out-of-town broadcasters. By the end of the season, he will have announced 4,000 Phillies games and 300,000 batters he's said the names of almost 20 percent. Baker was absent due to health issues. To verify player enunciations, hell ask the public relations staffs or visiting radio-TV announcers or even the player himself. Phillies win shortened game on clutch throw from Nick Castellanos, Phillies homer 5 times, move to 10 games above .500. There is something oddly specific about wanting to be a PA announcer. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. He began a teaching career with fifth and sixth grades at Landreth Elementary School in Philadelphia. 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. He deserves every, Before The Phillies Acquired Noah Syndergaard, They Were In On These Pitchers. T Pauses again. He has been the longest-tenured PA voice in Major League Baseball since the New York Yankees' Bob Sheppard. The biggest challenge, other than proper pronunciation of names often occurred after the playing of the national anthem. Im very very fortunate. He needed another complex surgery one that lasted 12 1/2 hours on July 15. Data Provided By Philadelphia PD search for 2 suspects after crash, assault, shooting, House panel votes to advance bill empowering Biden to ban TikTok, NJ man had guns, ammo, fake marshal ID at airport: FBI. I learned from my parents a long time ago the importance of enunciating every syllable, he says. For me, what I do, is on full display and I just love doing it. I cant describe it, Choate said. The Phillies have provided me with so much incentive. The doctors cleared him last week. He also serves as PA announcer for the ArmyNavy Game when it is played in Philadelphia as well as Drexel University Dragons men's basketball. 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. Legendary Phillies PA announcer Dan Baker joined us on the show this morning to talk about his legacy and favorite moments throughout his career. The Phillies offered him the right to reclaim the role he's had since 1972 when he was ready. Youre there to provide a service. Before that, he was the public address announcer at Veterans Stadium for a generation. Dan Baker. Hes been known to blow off steam in the control room (off-mike, naturally). 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. All Rights Reserved. Baker stayed away from the game for the 2020 season because of health problems. During his time away from the game, the team frequently let him know that his booth would be waiting for him upon his return. Growing up in Mt. Unlike many other ball clubs, Bakers role included being on the field pre-game for all the festivities and announcements. My supervisor Mark DiNardo is just the best.. The record shows it was the home opener on a Monday night, April 1972. Payroll Table 2023 Contracts Active Multi-Year Summary Positional Spending Prospects The Future Free Agents 2023 Player Option 27, Willie McCovey. I was embarrassed. "When I got out, I looked like somebody for a mash unit," Baker recalls. 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 . The last game that was played without Pieper or Baker announcing games was the 1915 World Series on October 13, 1915.[4]. "I'm flattered to be connected with Phillies baseball. And thats just the way it is. There are others like him Philly kids who listened to Baker, who wanted to be Baker, who imitate Baker. "Joy," Baker said. Before Baker was a PA announcer, he was a grade-school teacher in Philadelphia. For instance, Monday night when rain forced Game 3s postponement. "It provides me with so much enjoyment. [6] At these appearances, Baker announces the game over the sports bar's PA system in exactly the same fashion as he would if he was announcing an actual Phillies home game. A video we produced about longtime Phillies PA Announcer, Dan Baker.Dan Baker has been the PA Announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies since 1972. Phillies' Dan Baker Discusses Battle With Cancer Ahead Of 50th Year As Public Address Announcer Phillies' Dan Baker Discusses Battle With Cancer Ahead Of 50th Year As Public Address Announcer 4/8/2022 2:25:00 PM Dan Baker told CBS3 he has no plans to retire any time soon. Can you give me a SIZE-moor one more time?, His favorite name to enunciate? They sat in right field. The weather doesn't officially break until you hear Dan Baker's voice piping out of CBP. 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. Apr 16, 2021. He says he hopes to continue as the team's public address announcer for another 10 years. It was just exciting to hear the fans. And after his long journey back to his familiar spot at the home of the Phillies, Baker was more than ready to reclaim his seat behind the mic. But as Ive gotten older, thats kind of what Ive realized.. They all get crazy. Many thanks to him. Well, it was affected to some degree, in that, I also lost all the teeth in my upper right side, and I can only open my mouth about a third as wide as it should go, Baker said, sitting in an empty Hall of Fame Club at Citizens Bank Park about five hours before the first pitch. Hes undergone almost two dozen surgeries, some cosmetic, since the original procedure in August 2020 that forced him to miss the entire pandemic-shortened season. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Listening to Baker say it, in that unmistakable voice, I wouldnt root against him. (87-75, 3rd place in NL East). Multiple generations of Phillies fans have formative memories narrated in Bakers cadence. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He expected it to go into a pile somewhere. 20 left fielder Lou Brock.. ), READ MORE: Bryce Harpers legend grows as he homers on first World Series pitch he sees at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have long envisioned honoring Baker this weekend, but he did not want to commit to it unless he knew he could call the game. That voice belongs to Dan Baker. "It makes me so happy to be at the ballpark. 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. You know, I like to emote. Over the years, I've covered Smarty Jones, World Cup soccer, and a memorable decade of John Chaney. Those are his working tools. The record shows it was the home opener on a Monday night, April 1972. For the past half century, Phillies fans have heard one voice at the ballpark. 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. March 2, 2022. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to get back here.". Subscribe to the Phillies Talk podcast:Apple Podcasts|Google Play|Spotify|Stitcher|Art19|Watch on YouTube, Dan Baker, the 'Voice of CBP,' back where he belongs. "I don't intend to walk away before we win a couple more World Series," Baker said. How are you pumping that crowd noise in? We werent pumping any crowd noise in. A very lucky break. From The Vet to The Linc to The Bank, Baker has served as the public address announcer for the Phillies and Eagles for nearly 70 combined seasons. Get box score updates on the New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies baseball game. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- For the past half century, Phillies fans have heard one voice at the ballpark. There wasnt much idle time. "Id like to go for the record [60 seasons]! Martin [Pirates catcher] can hit into double plays, and we need one," he muttered to anyone within earshot. Dan Baker was 25 when he showed up at Veterans Stadium to work his first Phillies game as a public address announcer. Baker has not forgotten how he began his 50-year run. They asked me, How many games do you think you can do? I said 81! Thats what Im shooting for.. April 8, 2022 / 7:24 AM "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. Phillies PA announcer Dan Baker talks . Baker had his right cheekbone removed in August of 2020 during a procedure where a cancerous tumor was taken out of his sinus. 19, left fielder, Greg Luzunski!. I absolutely love those people. Join our linker program. 1 Priority For The Phillies Ahead Of Trade Deadline, Chase Utley Moving To London For New MLB Role, Rookie Darick Hall Enjoying Overwhelming Support As New Phils Slugger, Pete Rose To Appear At Citizens Bank Park During Alumni Weekend. Games do you think you can do Summary Positional Spending Prospects the Future Agents... To reclaim the role he 's had since 1972 he come from taken out of his sinus a video produced! Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get to! Announcer for the past half century, Phillies homer 5 times, move 10... Announcer dan Baker was a grade-school teacher in Philadelphia the Philadelphia Phillies since 1972 when he showed up at Stadium. To reclaim the role he 's had since 1972 when he was the home opener on Monday! A SIZE-moor one more time?, his favorite name to enunciate Phillies PA announcer he... Fans have heard one voice at the ballpark in my mind I was going get... 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