On Monday, the Giants announced a move that has already come with substantial backlash. Longtime PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon will no longer remain in her post with the organization for the 2024 season after both sides failed to come to an agreement on a contract extension.
After the news broke Steiny and Guru reacted, with Guru calling it a "black eye" on the organization."
"From afar, I know right and wrong and the San Francisco Giants have been striking out for the fan base," Guru said. "To me, this is a black eye. Part of the experience [at Oracle Park] was Renel Brooks-Moon."
The Giants released the following statement in which they announced that Brooks-Moon will not return to the public address booth and will take on the role of "Public Address Announcer Emeritus." Here's the full statement:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – After 24 seasons at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, the Giants and Renel Brooks-Moon jointly announce that Brooks-Moon will not be returning to the Giants’ public address booth this season and will be assuming the role of Public Address Announcer Emeritus. Although they discussed an extension of Brooks-Moon’s contract which ended in December 2023, after extensive discussions they mutually and amicably agreed to part ways. The booth at Oracle Park will be named in Brooks-Moon’s honor at a ceremony to take place during a future home game.
For more than 2,000 games, since Oracle Park’s first opening day in 2000, Brooks-Moon has introduced legendary players and moments to millions of fans. She was the voice of the Giants for Barry Bonds’ home run records, Matt Cain’s perfect game, Tim Lincecum’s no hitter, three World Series Championships and so much more.
Brooks-Moon, one of MLB’s first Black female public address announcers, will continue her active engagement in the community as a volunteer, activist and mentor. The Giants will celebrate her historic achievements during the 2024 season.
“As a Bay Area native, it has been the honor of my lifetime to serve on the mic, and in the community for the Giants for 24 years,” said Brooks-Moon. “My very first game on April 11, 2000, I shall never forget because the job has always been bigger than me. Representation matters, and it is my great hope that my time in the booth has inspired little girls, young women and people of color to pursue their dreams even if those dreams seem impossible, because impossible dreams can come true. To my successor, best of luck, and enjoy every minute of it! To the talented young control room crew, I could not be prouder of you all. And last, but certainly not the least, the fans: 100% the best fans in all of baseball, many of whom have become personal friends. I can’t thank you enough for your overwhelming kindness and support. I will miss you all the most. Go Get ‘Em Bo Mel!”
“Renel has been the familiar and inspirational voice for generations of players and fans at Oracle Park,” said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer. “As an ambassador for the organization and a respected leader, Renel has been a Giant voice in the ballpark and in the community, and will be a Forever Giant. It will be a fitting tribute to name the PA booth in her honor.”
In 2002, Brooks-Moon became not only the first female public address announcer for a World Series, but the first woman to PA a championship game in any professional sport.
An Emmy-winning TV host featured on a limited edition TOPPS baseball card, Brooks-Moon has been honored by American Women in Radio and Television, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame, 100 Black Women, Bay Area Black Journalists Association and Girls, Inc. Brooks-Moon was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, and former Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed “Renel Brooks-Moon Day” in her honor. She has earned multiple honorary doctorate degrees – one from her Alma Mater, Mills College, and a second honorary doctorate in Arts and Science from the University of San Francisco.
Brooks-Moon is a founding member of Friends of Faith, Inc., a non-profit organization that was dedicated to providing assistance to underserved and uninsured Bay Area breast cancer patients. She has served on the board of the San Francisco Giants Community Fund, supports Glide Memorial Methodist Church, the Glide Foundation, and Buster & Kristen Posey’s BP 28 work for pediatric cancer research and serves on the Advisory Board of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir."
