Dick Bremer, after 40 years, stepped down as the TV voice of the Minnesota Twins in October. Now, some of the existing TV and radio voices are changing chairs as the Twins shuffle their broadcasters. The team announced Friday new lead television and radio broadcast talent:
Cory Provus will be the new television play-by-play voice, with Kris Atteberry taking over lead radio play-by-play duties on WCCO Radio and the Treasure Island Baseball Network.
Provus, the team’s lead radio play-by-play broadcaster since 2012, transitions to be the Twins’ television voice. Atteberry, who has been part of the Twins’ radio team since 2007, moves from the studio to the booth. Dan Gladden will continue in his role on the radio broadcasts as well.
Provus says getting to fill in for Bremer last summer was a fun experience, but that he has a few things to learn when it comes to TV's broadcast style.
"I'm sure there were moments when I was probably talking too much and not remembering that it is a visual medium," Provus said on Friday after the official announcement. "So, I'll have to catch myself on that a few times, but I'm going to work at it this winter. These are things I'm going to do. I'm going to pull up games and re-watch them and just kind of act like I was 10-12 years old again where I'd be broadcasting into a television."
Atteberry will handle radio play-by-play and told WCCO's Adam Carter he understands the importance of his role for Twins fans.
"I feel very grateful and fortunate I work for a team and a market that cares about radio," Atteberry explained. "That should be every team, but it's not. The reality is it's not. And I don't take that for granted for one second."
The duo joins a long list of names who have been iconic radio and television voices for the club including WCCO voices Herb Carneal (1962-2006), Halsey Hall (1961-72) and John Gordon (1987-2011). Dan Gladden will continue in his role on the radio broadcasts as well.
“Cory and Kris have been integral parts of the soundtrack of spring, summer and fall across Twins Territory for many years and we are thrilled to continue these relationships as they step into their new roles,” said Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter. “The bonds they forge across our organization translate into a storytelling ability that is uniquely theirs; I am supremely confident that both will continue the Twins’ legacy of broadcast excellence.”
Provus spent the last 12 seasons (2012-23) in the Twins’ radio booth, holding primary play-by-play duties for all spring training, regular season and postseason and broadcasts, and occasionally filling in on select TV broadcasts. He is a three-time Minnesota Sportscaster of the Year (2015, 2020 and 2022), as recognized by the National Sports Media Association. Prior to joining the Twins, Provus spent three seasons (2009-11) in Milwaukee, where he did play-by-play with Hall of Famer Bob Uecker on WTMJ-AM and the Brewers Radio Network. He began his MLB broadcast career in 2007 as the Chicago Cubs pre- and post-game show host; with the Cubs, he also handled play-by-play duties, backing up Pat Hughes during games, and anchored the morning and afternoon drive sportscasts as a reporter for WGN-AM in Chicago. The Chicago native graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Atteberry has been with the Twins for 17 seasons (2007-23), previously hosting the Pregame Lineup Card and Postgame Download on the Twins Radio Network, while providing play-by-play and analysis for select games. He has been working in the Twin Cities market for more than two decades, spending five summers (2002-06) calling games on radio and television for the then-independent St. Paul Saints. Prior to joining the Saints, Atteberry also spent three seasons as the lead broadcaster for the Sioux Falls Canaries in South Dakota. A native of Bozeman, Montana and a graduate of Stanford University, Atteberry earned a National Association of Athletic Directors post-graduate scholarship for his broadcast work with Cardinal athletics.
There is still a big unknown for the Twins heading into the 2024 season. While the radio broadasts are all set on 830 WCCO, 102.9 FM The Wolf and the Audacy App, the TV situation is far from settled.
Diamond Sports Group, which operates Bally Sports North in Minnesota and other regional sports networks nationwide, continues to deal with bankruptcy and an inability to pay the rights fees they owe the Twins and other teams. The Twins contract with Bally Sports North expired after the 2023 season and without a new deal in place, there's no TV outlet for games currently.
The Twins have options, such as working with Major League Baseball to distribute games, finding another television partner in the market, or even renegotiating a deal with Bally Sports North which Diamond Sports has done with NHL and NBA clubs despite the bankruptcy.