New PA announcer makes A's history

The A’s made history on Tuesday with the hiring of Amelia Schimmel as their new public address announcer for all home games at the Oakland Coliseum.

Schimmel, 34, is the first female PA announcer in the team’s history. She succeeds Dick Callahan, whose legendary voice echoed throughout the stadium for all A’s home games for 15 years before his death in January.

“I am an Oakland A through and through, so this is the greatest honor of my career,” Schimmel said. “As an Oakland native, I spent many nights at the Coliseum with my family. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would become the PA announcer for my favorite team. I am truly thankful for this opportunity and cannot wait for Opening Day.

“I’m also eternally grateful to the late Dick Callahan, who was a great mentor to me over the last three years. Nobody will replace Dick, but I hope to make him proud as I sit behind the mic each night.”

Schimmel joins Renel Brooks-Moon of the Giants and Marysol Castro of the Mets as the only female PA announcers in Major League Baseball. Though fans attending games will get to hear her voice in person for the first time this season, Schimmel filled in as PA announcer for home games last season in place of Callahan, who missed the season due to health concerns.

Schimmel, who attended College Preparatory School in Oakland and Brandeis University in Massachusetts, has been a part of the A’s organization since 2017, previously working in an executive role as producer of game entertainment and video content. Before that, she worked as a segment producer and editor at MLB Network for eight years, earning six Emmy Awards as she helped produce various shows such as Intentional Talk, High Heat, Hot Stove and MLB Tonight.

“We were fortunate to have the warm and welcoming voice of Dick Callahan echo throughout the Coliseum for 15 years. Dick was a friend to everyone he crossed paths with and beloved by A’s fans,” A’s president Dave Kaval said. “Dick was also a great mentor and teacher to those who worked alongside him on a nightly basis, including Amelia. We know that she will continue his legacy, and we are excited for her to become the first female voice of the Athletics.”