PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Phillies public address announcer Dan Baker is back behind the microphone at Citizens Bank Park, doing a job he started 49 years ago. But Baker doesn't consider this his 50th season.
Baker, who almost never missed a game over the last five decades, did not call any of the Phillies' 30 regular-season home games in 2020 as he recovered from surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumor from one of his sinuses.
"This year, which would have been my 50th, I really view it as my 49th," the announcer told KYW Newsradio. "I want to earn it fair and square. I don't view last year as a season that I can claim that I fulfilled."
Baker, 74, is currently the longest-tenured public address announcer in Major League Baseball. Only two big-league PA announcers have served for 50 years or more: the Yankees' Bob Sheppard, who announced games for 57 years, and the Cubs' Pat Pieper, who called games at Wrigley Field for 59 seasons.
"I could join those two great men, the way I view it, if I complete this season and next," Baker said. "My goodness, who knows? Maybe I'll have a chance at the record."
Whether you count this as season 49 or 50, Baker says he appreciates his place in Phillies history. "It's been such a joy announcing five World Series, two Major League Baseball All-Star Games, just going to the ballpark every day."
Baker said a chance meeting at a Center City restaurant in November 1970 led to his dream job. He said Pat Cassidy, the director of operations at Veterans Stadium, asked him if he had any interest in doing the Phillies PA job.
"I said, 'Would I have any interest?'" he recalled. "I would give my right arm for an opportunity like that!'"
The first batter he introduced was Hall of Famer Lou Brock on April 17, 1972.
"I missed it terribly last year," Baker said. "Of course it was unavoidable as I had a few health challenges. But I'm back. Most of the worst is behind me now."
Baker said he's been overwhelmed by the outpouring of emails, phone calls and tweets welcoming his return to the booth. "A lot of people have been very kind to say some nice things, and I appreciate all of it," he said. "I couldn’t be happier or grateful for the acknowledgement."
He said the Phillies make it easy. "They’re such a wonderful organization to work for," he said. "They've been so encouraging and supportive. I'm very grateful."