Fan Cave Alum Named New Voice of Orioles
We'd like to extend a hearty congratulations to 2011 MLB Fan Cave inhabitant and our friend Ryan Wagner. Earlier today, the Baltimore Orioles announced that Ryan is going to be the new voice of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. As Mark Newman writes, he was chosen from among 670 applicants vying to be the Orioles' new public-address announcer.
It is indeed a big anniversary in 2012 for The Ballpark That Forever Changed Baseball, and when Baltimore opens its season at home on April 6 against Minnesota, fans will have a fresh and yet familiar person to greet them as the brand-new voice of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles announced on Tuesday that Wagner -- who last season watched all 2,429 regular-season games in the MLB Fan Cave in New York -- was chosen from among 670 applicants as the club's new public-address announcer.
"From a vast and diverse field of well-qualified applicants, Ryan distinguished himself as the clear choice to be the new voice of Oriole Park," said Orioles director of communications Greg Bader. "Ryan's traditional delivery is a style familiar to Orioles fans, and he brings an energy and freshness that we know people attending a game at Camden Yards will enjoy. The authenticity of Ryan's voice and his smooth delivery are what stood out the most to us.
Winning a competitive fan contest is nothing new for Ryan, of course. Not even a year ago, he beat out more than 10,000 applicants on his way to earning a spot in season one of the MLB Fan Cave. He impressed us all with his initial Fan Cave submission tape and written sample. Yet it was how Ryan handled himself during a taped interview with MLB Network talent Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams that punched his ticket to the Fan Cave.
After settling in New York City, Ryan went on to accomplish a lot throughout the project. In addition to watching all 2,429 regular season games from inside the Fan Cave, he did an admirable job documenting his experiences and sharing his thoughts on the game via daily blog posts and Twitter updates. He also made appearances in a few memorable Fan Cave videos, highlighted by his cameo as R-Woww in Fan Cave Shore, Part 1, his futile attempt to utilize dating tips from Miami Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison and the time that he was cured by pitching legend Dwight "Doc" Gooden.
We know Ryan well and are confident that he'll find success in his new role. He has a real passion for his beloved Orioles, knows the game and has a deep, powerful voice.
Good luck, Ryan. Make us all proud.
Also, as reminder, you have one day left to vote for your favorite MLB Fan Cave finalists. Who knows? Perhaps one of the 50 will be in Ryan's shoes this time next year.