Hopefully Eagles have a better plan with PA job than Phillies did after ousting Wheeler and Sarge

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Dan Baker is a good guy. And when good guys are fired, and basically, that's what the Eagles did today when they got rid of Baker as their Lincoln Financial Field public address announcer after 29 years, it's kinda sad.

But you can't feel too bad for Baker because he still has his gig as the Phillies P.A. man across the street at Citizens Bank Park.

He has been pretty lucky to be the stadium voice for the two biggest franchises in Philadelphia for three decades, even longer with the Phillies.

From the release the Eagles sent out, it's apparent that they want a carnival barker or a music DJ to boom out the information at Eagles home games rather than do the professional, solid, but relatively low-key job that Baker did for many years.

Many venues used to have classic, God-like voices on the P.A. system, but now just pronouncing the names correctly is no longer enough.

You need to be more of an entertainer than a speech therapist.

Projecting a certain vibe and being an over-the-top cheerleader takes precedence over getting the correct ballcarrier and tackler.

The late great Bob Shepherd, the voice of Yankee Stadium for many years, wouldn't be appreciated today.

On the local scene, there was no better voice than my friend Punkin Miller's, but I know he wouldn't like what would have been asked of him at Coca-Cola Park where you need to read a script and be a commercial pitch man as much as a P.A. announcer.

Here's hoping that the Eagles have a better plan in mind than the Phillies did when they canned Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews from the TV broadcast booth in January.

It's clear that the Phillies had no plan and wound up having to get Matt Stairs and Jamie Moyer in there on a rotating basis.

To me, the move has been a bust and most Phillies fans I know agree with me and prefer the radio broadcasts of Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen.

As for the departure of Baker, it's another example of the changing times and the changing atmosphere at stadium venues.

While I agree that no one goes to Eagles games to hear Baker over the P.A. system, I think it's always a shame when we lose another piece of tradition.

Here's the release from the Eagles:

Dan Baker, the public address announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles, will be leaving his position after 29 seasons with the team. 

 The Eagles have decided to make a change in the role and told Baker about the new direction last week.

 Dan is the ultimate professional and even though he was disappointed with the direction we are heading, he was accepting of our decision to make the change,” said team president Don Smolenski. “We are very appreciative of his dedication and service. He never missed a single game.”

 As the game day experience continues to evolve with expanded audio and visual enhancements, the game-telling experience is no longer the responsibility of a single person.  “It is a true multi-media experience,” added Smolenski.

 The Eagles will begin a search for a new public address announcer and will work closely with an outside agency to aid in this transition. 

 “I want to thank Mr. Lurie, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the fans for the privilege of announcing 29 great years of Eagles football,” said Baker. “It has truly been an honor.”

 The Eagles will recognize Baker at the season opening game on September 7 against the Jaguars.