SAN DIEGO – Padres radio broadcaster Ted Leitner today announced his plans to transition to a new role within the organization beginning in 2021 after completing his 41st as the primary play-by-play radio voice of “My Padres” during the 2020 season. As a long-time fixture in the San Diego community, Leitner’s new role will see him serve as a Team Ambassador for the organization and remain involved in community appearances, speaking engagements, and team-organized events. Jesse Agler will serve as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Padres radio in 2021, while Tony Gwynn Jr. will join him in the booth as the full-time color analyst.

“I will miss everything about the Padres broadcast that I have been privileged to be a part of for so many years,” said Leitner. “I’ve had the best seat in the house in San Diego for over four decades, and I’ve had the honor of working alongside Hall of Fame broadcasters while watching the greatest players to ever wear a Padres uniform. While the broadcast booth will always be in my heart, I look forward to working more closely with the San Diego community and our loyal fans in the future.”

“Ted is a true San Diego sports icon as his voice is synonymous with Padres baseball,” said Padres Owner and Chairman Peter Seidler. “He is respected and beloved by our fans and our ballclub. We are thankful for his 41 years of consistent excellence and deep passion for America’s pastime. We welcome him into his new role in the Padres front office.”

The 2020 season marked Leitner’s 43rd year broadcasting in San Diego, where he also serves as the voice of the San Diego State University Aztecs football and basketball teams. Recently honored by the National Sports Media Association as the 2020 California Co-Sportscaster of the Year, Leitner spent 25 years (1978-2002) as a sports anchor for KFMB-TV, the local CBS affiliate, and his previous play-by-play credits include the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, the San Diego Clippers of the National Basketball Association, and the University of Oklahoma and University of Connecticut. A Bronx, NY native, Leitner studied TV and radio broadcasting at Oklahoma State University before earning his degree in Radio/Television/Film from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Aside from his broadcasting responsibilities, fans have been treated to Leitner serving as master of ceremonies for several meaningful Padres events including Jerry Coleman Day in 2012, which honored Coleman’s 70 years in baseball, as well as various Padres Hall of Fame inductions and the annual Padres Opening Day ceremonies. He also served as MC for the memorials of Coleman and Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn.