Len Kasper
| Len Joseph Kasper | |
|---|---|
| Born |
January 21, 1971 Mt. Pleasant, Michigan |
| Education |
Marquette University, '93 Public Relations |
| Occupation | Sports broadcaster |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Spouse(s) | Pam |
| Children | 1 (Leo) |
Len Kasper (born January 21, 1971 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan) is a play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs (2005–present)[1][2] on WGN-TV, WPWR-TV, WLS-TV and Comcast SportsNet Chicago, along with the Chicago Cubs Radio Network for the fifth inning of games which are televised nationally (including playoff games). He works alongside color commentator Jim Deshaies.
Career
Kasper first worked for WTMJ-AM (620) from 1994-2002 in Milwaukee as the host of the station's daily sports show, hosted pregame and halftime shows for the Green Bay Packers, and was a co-host on a hot stove league show on the Brewers' radio network.[3] After realizing he would need experience calling baseball games, he started working with Brett Dolan on the weekends in the late 1990s calling several innings at a time for the Beloit Snappers.[4] In 1999 he was then asked to do fill-in TV work with the Milwaukee Brewers for Matt Vasgersian who started to get work on the national stage.[4] Kasper continued to work alongside Bill Schroeder as a fill-in for Vasgersian on Brewers telecasts through 2001.[3]
In 2002, Kasper was hired as a full-time TV play-by-play announcer to work alongside color commentator Tommy Hutton for the Florida Marlins and worked for Florida through the 2004 season until being hired for the Cubs in 2005.[5]
Kasper often participates in Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein's "Hot Stove Cool Music" benefit concerts that have raised millions of dollars for the communities of Boston and Chicago.[6] Kasper received the Harry Caray Sportscaster of the Year Award from the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago in 2011.[7]
Quotes
- "We're very high right now, and I'm not referring to our Woodstock conversation." (talking about the broadcasting booth at the Washington Nationals' stadium)- Cubs @ Nationals, Nationals Park, April 27, 2008
- "Swing and a miss! A no hitter! Carlos Zambrano has no hit the Houston Astros! Ohhh Baby!" (Carlos Zambrano's no hitter)-Cubs @ Astros, Miller Park, September 14, 2008
- "It wiiiiilll go!" - Often said while announcing a Cubs home run.
- "The pitch to Aramis, he hits a drive, deep left center! Cubs win! They win it! Ramirez! 2-run shot! Ohhh baby! Can you believe it? Unbelievable!"-Brewers @ Cubs, Wrigley Field, June 29, 2007
- "High, deep drive! Way back! Ballgame over! Cubs win, Cubs win! Oh baby, Kris Bryant!" -Rockies @ Cubs, Wrigley Field, July 27, 2015
- "Annnd gone!!! Into the basket!!" -Often said when a home run lands in the chainlink fencing 'basket' lining the outfield wall of Wrigley Field
- "Cubs win! Cubs win!"- Often said after a Cubs victory
Personal life
Kasper grew up in Michigan. His broadcasting influence was the Detroit Tigers' broadcasters, Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey.[4] He graduated from Shepherd High School. He graduated summa cum laude from Marquette University with a degree in public relations in 1993.[1] He and his wife, Pam, have one son named Leo.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Broadcasters". MLB.com. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
- ↑ Gleeman, Aaron (22 June 2011). "Len Kasper signs five-year extension to stay Cubs' announcer". NBC. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
- 1 2 "Ed Sherman interviews WGN's Len Kasper". 2009-04-10. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
- 1 2 3 Hildebrant, Chuck (2015-07-03). "Working the Game, an Interview with Len Kasper, Chicago Cubs TV". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
- ↑ Kasper, Len (2012-10-16). "Baseball ProGUESTus Bringing Sabermetrics to the Broadcast Booth". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
- ↑ Bloom, Barry M. "Theo Epstein's Hot Stove Cool Music Heats Up With Special Guest "Headliner To Be Named Later" at Wrigleyville's Metro July 9". mlb.com/news. MLB.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ↑ "Pitch and Hit Club announces Award winners for Banquet". prepbaseballreport.com. Prep Baseball Report. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
External links
- Chicago Cubs Broadcasters at Comcastsportsnet.com
- Ask Len and Bob at Comcastsportsnet.com
- Chicago Cubs Broadcasters at Cubs.com
- Len & Bob's baseball blog at WGN Sports.com
- Len & Bob play Summertime Blues.
| Preceded by Chip Caray |
Chicago Cubs Television Play-By-Play Announcer 2005–present |
Succeeded by current |