Quick List of Possible Replacements:

2) Return of Joe Angel. (Currently with Baltimore)

617784[/snapback]

Great replacement

Quick List of Possible Replacements:

2) Return of Joe Angel. (Currently with Baltimore)

617784[/snapback]

Great replacement

617899[/snapback]

I don't think you are being sarcastic. The O's deal with WBAL is up and he is technically a free agent because WBAL payed him.

No sarcasm. He has a great voice and good understanding of the game. The Orioles can lose a PbP or two. They have a half-dozen, and Joe got the worst gigs out of all of them.

O's have more play by play announcers than some teams have players.

Kasper headed for Cubs' booth

Marlins' play-by-play voice takes job in Chicago

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com?

 

MIAMI -- For the past three seasons, South Florida baseball fans were treated to one of the rising play-by-play voices in Major League Baseball.

Len Kasper, who joined the Marlins in 2002, quickly emerged as a fan favorite as the voice of the Marlins on television.

 

On Friday, Kasper accepted an offer to move to a larger stage.

 

The Cubs announced Kasper, 33, as their new play-by-play voice for WGN-TV and Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Kasper replaces Chip Caray, and joins partner and former Major League manager Bob Brenly in the Cubs' booth.

 

"We have big shoes to fill, and we're working on it," said P.J. Loyello, the Marlins vice president of communications and broadcasting.

 

Before joining the Marlins in 2002, Kasper provided television play-by-play for the Brewers from 1999-2001.

 

Kasper is yet another talented broadcaster to springboard to a higher-profile job after working with the Marlins.

 

In 2002, Kasper replaced Dave O'Brien, who moved on to ESPN. Ironically, O'Brien also was interested in the Cubs' job. Actually, he was offered the job in Chicago, and agreed to terms earlier in the week. However, on Tuesday, ESPN declined to let him out of his contract.

 

With the Marlins, Kasper teamed with Tommy Hutton to form an entertaining and informative tandem on Fox Sports Net and PAX. Hutton is returning, and the new play-by-play voice will actually be hired by Fox Sports Net, based on the approval of the Marlins.

 

"We'll try to find another Len Kasper, which is very hard to do," Loyello said.

 

For more than a month, Kasper let the Marlins know he was in the mix for the Cubs' job.

 

A native of the Midwest, Kasper graduated summa cum laude from Marquette University in 1993.

 

Kasper, who was at the Marlins celebrity golf tournament on Monday, said then that he interviewed with the Cubs on election day.

 

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to call Cubs baseball with Bob Brenly on WGN and Comcast," said Kasper in a statement released by the Cubs. "This is the best play-by-play job in sports and I look forward to being a daily part of the lives of the best fans in baseball."

 

As Loyello said: "Good things happen to good people.

 

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime. He's from the Midwest and this is the Cubs. They are televised coast-to-coast. I'm happy for him."

 

What's next for the Marlins?

 

The search is on for a new voice.

 

Loyello remembers how Kasper was hired.

 

Jeffrey Loria had just assumed ownership of the Marlins in February of 2002. A small group of people, including Loria, met in a boardroom and sifted through a few boxes of video tapes and sorted the voices until Kasper emerged as the favorite.

 

"The search starts immediately," Loyello said. "Now that it is official, more people will seek us out. This is Major League Baseball. We are going to take our time and make the right decision. We hired Len in March."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I have been reading some of your comments about Mr Kasper and find them very complimentary. I don't know how well he will team with Brenly but I do know that I as a diehard Cubs fan am eagerly awaiting the announcer you all seem to enjoy immensely and who I percieve to be truly professional. Many Cubs fans weren't enthralled with Chip Carey but all adored Stoney. (I liked them both). I feel badly that our gain has to be your loss but neither of us has any control over the situation. Thanks for letting me put in my 2 cents worth. Good luck (except the Cubs!)

With Len you get professionalism with humor...but most of his humor here and in Milwaukee was at the cost of the Chicago Cubs or Philadelphia Phillies.....but he is great. Chicago better not mistreat him!

Chicago better not mistreat him!

617916[/snapback]

If the do mistreat him, he can always come back to the Marlins.

Chicago better not mistreat him!

617916[/snapback]

If the do mistreat him, he can always come back to the Marlins.

617925[/snapback]

 

Ditto that

we love len no matter what, we wont forget how awesome he was

Joe Angel hmmmmm

Good luck, Len.

 

 

 

I guess this is the Cubs' way of getting us back for 2003. :shifty

I can't blame him for taking the job, but his talents will be wasted in Chicago.

 

Last year proved that the Cubs simply want puppets to annouce for them, so expect Kasper and Brenly to be nothing but glorified cheerleaders and promoters of Cubbie Kool-Aid next season.

Add Frank Forte to the list.

I will take anyone other than the announcers from the Devil Rays....Just My Opinion! :thumbup

Add Rich Waltz of the Mariners.

Please don't add Gary Carter to any lists. That's for anyone feeling nostalgic for the old days and former broadcaters. I say give Craig Minervini a shot or bring over Van Horne from radio.

Please don't add Gary Carter to any lists. That's for anyone feeling nostalgic for the old days and former broadcaters. I say give Craig Minervini a shot or bring over Van Horne from radio.

618298[/snapback]

Gary Carter was a play-by-play guy so don't worry. I agree though, he was terrible.

Im friggin pissed right now. After the forum that he himself read, he chose to leave. Im so dissapointed. I thought he was staying, after i read his reply.