Dan Baker, a Philadelphia treasure April 28th, 2022 Larry Shenk Share "Leading off for the St. Louis Cardinals . There was an infection, a six-week hospital stay, and subsequent radiation treatments. A very lucky break. Realmuto," referring to the talented player who just joined the team in a trade. The Giants had Willie McCovey, No. Just being at the games. Though the Phillies and Eagles left Veterans Stadium for new venues (the Eagles to Lincoln Financial Field in 2003 and the Phillies to Citizens Bank Park in 2004), Baker remained the PA announcer for both teams. It was humid. Now batting for the Phillies, No. 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. But that is for the fans as opposed to doing something that maybe helps somebody else in a more concrete way. 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. Baker was named to the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1997 and was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Charlie Manuel, 780-636, .551 W-L%, 2022 Phillies Dan Baker, longest tenured PA announcer in Major League Baseball, on the field at Citizens Bank Park before Game 3 of the World Series. Baker had a script, taking fans inside the stadium and out on the sidewalk through the procedures in place. Choate, a few months ago, authored an essay to commemorate Baker on reaching 50 years with the Phillies. to fight any efforts by the league to implement a salary cap . Data shown reflects actual gross pay for 2021, except where noted otherwise. Before Baker was a PA announcer, he was a grade-school teacher in Philadelphia. You can hear him live at the Phillies game tomorrow at 7:37pm versus the Padres. As the world inches toward normalcy in 2021, Phillies games are being played in front of fans again. In front of Baker is a microphone on a stand and a control box with a red button. Ted sought out Baker, Dan, I loved your introduction when I came to bat. It feels like, Choate said, theres something missing.. The Phillies offered him the right to reclaim the role he's had since 1972 when he was ready. You could argue the fact that there was no relief pitching. 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. And you're right, Ross, it's a motivating factor that keeps me going. Baker had his right cheekbone removed in August of 2020 during a procedure where a cancerous tumor was taken out of his sinus. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baker grew up in Mount Ephraim, New Jersey, and graduated from Audubon High School. 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. I feel very proud.. We sat right behind Bobby Abreu. (Courtesy of Justin Choate). Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Im a preacher of the type of PA announcing that you have to make sure that you speak accurately, Baker said. A cancerous tumor in his cheek put his career and his health at risk, something he thought about often on his road to recovery. They were played in front of 45,000 empty seats. It was just unbelievable to me. During the summers of 1969-1971, he served as the PA announcer for Buddy Wagners Lucky Mustang Hell Drivers, a traveling auto daredevil show. That is rooted in his teaching days. It wasnt too bad, Baker said, although he cant hear every single sound in his glass booth. Should The Phillies Have Beaten The Yankees Return For Frankie Montas? "Joy," Baker said. Dan Baker, longest tenured PA announcer in Major League Baseball, on the field at Citizens Bank Park before . Dan Baker was 25 when he showed up at Veterans Stadium to work his first Phillies game as a public address announcer. 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. Despite all the health obstacles that hes faced, Baker sounds like someone who thinks he has turned the corner and is excited about the future, one of he believes will include quite a bit of time spent at Citizens Bank Park. He is a graduate of Syracuse University and Central Bucks High School West. It might be wishful thinking, but goshdarnit its a goal, and Im going to try to achieve it, if the Phillies will have me," he said. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. And, Baker said, luckily, my voice wasnt affected that much.. Baker reprises his role as the Philadelphia Phillies PA announcer for select Phillies away games at multiple venues that comprise a chain of Philadelphia area sports bars. He deserves every, Before The Phillies Acquired Noah Syndergaard, They Were In On These Pitchers. You know, I like to emote. Next day, Montanez walks up behind me on the field, taps me on the shoulder and with that big smile of his, says Montanez, Montanez., In the world of PA announcers in baseball, only two have had longer tenures, Pat Pieper, who worked 59 years for the Cubs (1916-74), and Bob Sheppard, a 57-year voice of the Yankees (1951-2007). Dan Baker has been the public address announcer at Citizens Bank Park for a generation. More importantly, Dan Baker is a Philadelphia treasure. Someone from the Mets was talking with (Phillies director of broadcasting and video services)Mark DiNardo and they said, Boy, that really sounds good! Payroll Table 2023 Contracts Active Multi-Year Summary Positional Spending Prospects The Future Free Agents 2023 Player Option 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. * - This is not intended as an accurate payroll accounting for current. Doctors discovered an irregular growth, which turned out to be a cancerous tumor in his sinus. The Phillies were so encouraging We want you back, this job is yours, Baker said. $700k for pre-arbitration, $2.3M for 1st-year arb, $4.17M for 2nd-year-arb, $5.98M for 3rd-year-arb, $7.36M for 4th-year-arb. Unlike many other ball clubs, Bakers role included being on the field pre-game for all the festivities and announcements. It energizes me to be 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. They always watch games together. Baker never publicized his health issuesbecause he didnt want to be a source of sorrow for Phillies fans. All rights reserved. When the Phillies won their first-ever World Series in 1980 across the street at the Vet oh my goodness, Baker said. My supervisor Mark DiNardo is just the best.. His voice i. It's a great honor for me. 27. But this was unmistakable. Be authentic, Baker told him, and authentic in Choates mind was incorporating a nod to Baker. 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. ), READ MORE: Bryce Harpers legend grows as he homers on first World Series pitch he sees at Citizens Bank Park. He underwent surgery for 24 hours to remove a tumor from his right sinus on August 12, 2020. A detailed schedule of the pregame events timed down to the second is available to the entire control room staff. Trades are not prorated, new debuts are not added, incentives are not included. 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. On September 16, 2015, XFINITY Live! For the past half century, Phillies fans have heard one voice at the ballpark. The record shows it was the home opener on a Monday night, April 1972. "Id like to go for the record [60 seasons]! Dan Baker. "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. Theres something else Baker brings to the job that might be a little more rare for his profession. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. We also had some fun and had Dan announce our "walk-ups" as if we were on the Phillies. His voice is his most recognizable trait. People groaned. 34, right fielder Bryce Harper!" Close your eyes and you can hear Baker carefully enunciating each word before emoting the player's name, which is especially true whenever a superstar like . And that was like, Thats what I want to do. I want to be able to put that feeling to somebody else. Did Baker hear the boos from the concourse? There wasnt much idle time. Future arbitration eligibility assumes players will play full major league seasons. 20 . With all these recent Phillies years in the wilderness, surely Dan Baker wondered: Would his voice ever be heard at a World Series again? "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. When Baker announces next season, his 50th, he will become just the third MLB public address announcer to reach that level of longevity. Im a Phillies fan myself I relate to Phillies fans, because Im rooting for the team with all my heart. "It makes me so happy to be at the ballpark. On occasion, we have estimated arbitration eligibility. 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]. The only thing that I know is Dan, Choate said. But those treatments make Baker vulnerable to infection. There are certain names that lend themselves to a more melodic interpretation, Baker said. [7] Baker continued as the public address announcer for the Phillies. I cant talk quite as well as I could before, but I can get darned close.. "There was an electricity in that ballpark (during the opening homestand). It energizes me being back here doing this again. "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. 55, catcher Russell Martin. Martin doubles into the left-field corner, driving in one run. According to the latest Twitter stat on 2023-02-23, Dan Baker (PA announcer) has a total favourites count of 1582 on the Twitter account and Dan Baker (PA announcer) has 12.1 Thousand followers on the same Twitter account. Baker has not forgotten how he began his 50-year run. If the Phillies will have me, and God blesses me with good health, and I can continue to perform at a high level, Id like to take a shot at it, Baker said. 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. He believed, fully. Salaries posted anonymously by Baker Hughes employees in St. Louis, MO. Yankees legend Bob Sheppard was next with 57 seasons, from 1951-2007. The jobs, for most, are seasonal side gigs. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. And I wasnt thinking that at the time. Current Public Address announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies going into my 45th season! Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. "You know, this isn't the last one of these that I want to get you know if the Phillies will be so kind as to consider me for one for future championships.". Phils Third Rounder Gabriel Rincones Jr. Bet On Himself On Path From Scotland, As Aaron Nola Puts Together Excellent Season, Long-Term Deal Should Be On The Radar Of The Phillies, Malvern Prep Grad Jordan Dissin Excited For Surreal Opportunity With Hometown Phillies, With Eflin Uncertainty, Starting Pitching Sounds Like The No. (Hunter Martin / Getty Images), Dan Bakers letter of recommendation. The names that I enjoy saying the most are the polysyllabic words, multiple syllables that lend themselves to a more melodic interpretation, Baker said after the pregame ceremony. Dan Baker's path back to his "happy place" wasn't easy. There is something oddly specific about wanting to be a PA announcer. If anybody ever stopped me and said, Oh, you got a bad break. No. But this is my sixth World Series.. When he hired me, he said it was important to get it right and I immediately told him, Bill, if you hire me, Ill be the quickest and most accurate scoreboard operator in baseball, and for 32 years I was.. Please let us know if you find any errors, updates, or corrections More Phillies Pages Philadelphia Phillies Franchise Pages Year-by-Year Stats Batting Pitching Leaders Top 10 Career Batting Top 10 Single-Season Batting 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. A battle with cancer wiped out the pandemic-shortened 30 home game 2020 season for him. 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. Not just because he gets to see newcomers Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos hit the field. The Philadelphia Phillies welcome you to Citizens Bank Park," Baker says before every home game. What a joy it is to work with all of those people in the PhanaVision and scoreboard control room. For 'Most Courageous' Dan Baker, 50 years with Phillies has been a 'fairy tale' life Philly's beloved baseball announcer top honoree at PSWA awards dinner MEDIANEWS GROUP STAFF PHOTO. "Oh my gosh, this is life," Baker proudly tells Jeff Skversky. Baker has been with the Phillies since 1972, their second season at Veterans Stadium. I wouldnt trade it for anything. Wanna follow Dan Baker (PA announcer)'s net worth? 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. (Courtesy of Justin Choate), Dan Baker, pictured in 2017, has been the voice at the Phillies ballpark for 50 years. That voice belongs to Dan Baker. Baker is the longtimer public address announcer for the Phillies. Most of them are younger than me, obviously, Baker said with a hearty laugh. 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. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Theyre terrific young people. He does this with aspiring broadcasters who show interest in the craft. "I have much in common with Phillies fans. Bob Sheppard announced for the Yankees for 57 years, and Pat Pieper announced Cubs games for 59 years. They all get crazy. It hasnt happened yet. To be out there, in the beautiful weather of the spring and summer. About 25 minutes prior to game time, hes on the field with a script in hand special awards, introductions, ceremonial first-ball tossers, national anthem singers, starting lineups and umpires. The Phillies will honor Baker before Friday night's game. I feel a great sense of gratitude for all the wonderful things that have happened.. I felt bad, Baker said. Its just the feeling that I got when I heard Bobby ahh-BRAY-ooo from Dan Baker. 12, second baseman, Mickey Morandini!, Now batting for the Phillies, No. He checks every name in the starting lineups. hillies games at Citizens Bank Park in 2020 were unlike any other. But in many ways, hes one of the many faces of the Phillies. At the time, doctors replaced his cheekbone with bone and tissue from the lower half of his left leg. People have to be able to understand you. Baker has offered advice and written letters of recommendation. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Phillies win shortened game on clutch throw from Nick Castellanos, Phillies homer 5 times, move to 10 games above .500. For information like contract history, contract incentives, and more, we heartily recommend Cot's Contracts A fellow control room employee is always on standby when that happened. Baker has leaned on the elocution lessons his mother and father stressed when he was young. But the main thing that was the most important to him was someone who knew baseball and could also operate the in-progress scoreboard along with doing the PA balls, strikes, outs, runs, hits, errors. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baker said with a hearty laugh into my 45th season scoreboard! Left-Field corner, driving in one run have happened so encouraging we want you back, this is not as... Next with 57 seasons, from 1951-2007 doctors discovered an irregular growth, which out... 50-Year run and a control box with a red button Baker ( PA announcer World inches toward normalcy 2021... 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Future arbitration eligibility assumes players will play full Major league seasons removed in August of 2020 during procedure!