Oakland A’s shatter barrier with naming of play-by-play announcer

On Tuesday, NBC Sports activities California introduced it had employed Jenny Cavnar for its live-game protection of the Oakland Athletics, making her the primary feminine to be a major play-by-play voice in Main League Baseball historical past.

That is glorious for sports activities media, because it alerts monumental progress in an business lengthy dominated by males. Plus, Cavnar clearly deserves this position.

She’s a 20-year media veteran who has coated baseball for 17 years. Over the previous 12 years, she served as a number, backup play-by-play announcer and reporter for regional TV protection of the Colorado Rockies. In 2018, she grew to become the primary lady to name TV play-by-play for a big-league sport in 25 years.

“Jenny is a really gifted announcer with important expertise protecting baseball,” NBC Sports activities California and Bay Space president and basic supervisor Matt Murphy stated by way of the entity’s web site. “She has been a groundbreaking skilled who earned the admiration of followers and her friends all through her profession. “

The A’s are scheduled to maneuver to Las Vegas in 2028, however their lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season. It is unclear the place they will play from 2025-27 and whether or not their media staff will comply with. 

Together with Cavnar, different ladies have obtained extra alternatives in sports activities media in recent times. Suzyn Waldman has been the New York Yankees radio coloration commentator since 2005. Jessica Mendoza has served as a coloration commentator for ESPN’s “Sunday Night time Baseball” since 2020 and have become the primary lady to name a World Sequence sport that very same 12 months.

Whereas sports activities media nonetheless has an extended strategy to go so far as inclusion goes, NBC Sports activities California hiring Cavnar reveals it is not off course.

“It is a dream come true to affix the published staff for the Oakland A’s and their wealthy baseball historical past,” Cavnar stated. “Rising up the daughter of a baseball coach, I’ve cherished the sport from a younger age, together with the tales, historical past and relationships the sport offers.”