Cards play-by-play announcer McLaughlin resigns

Longtime Cardinals and Bally Sports Midwest play-by-play broadcaster Dan McLaughlin resigned his TV position on Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in suburban St. Louis on Dec. 4.

McLaughlin, a St. Louis native, has been behind the microphone calling big moments for the Cardinals for the past 24 years. He began while working alongside and later replacing Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck, and he has said repeatedly that calling Cardinals games was the job he always dreamed of landing. McLaughlin’s exit was described as a mutual decision in prepared statements distributed by the Cardinals, Bally Sports and McLaughlin on Thursday.

“Dan McLaughlin will not return as the Cardinals television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Midwest,” a joint statement from the Cardinals and Bally Sports read. “Dan has been the voice of memorable Cardinals moments for 24 years. We thank him for his contributions to Cardinals baseball, to Cardinals fans, and for his many charitable efforts.”

“I have spent the last several days reflecting on my next steps towards addressing my health and the well-being of my family and me,” McLaughlin said in his statement. “I have come to the conclusion that my sole focus needs to be on my recovery, which I have started, and that of my wife and children. As a result, I am stepping away from my duties at Bally's Sports Midwest. I thank all of the people of Bally's for their support throughout the years and wish them the best. As I move forward, I please ask for your patience and your privacy. Thank you. God Bless.”

Neither the Cardinals nor Bally Sports gave any timetable or details about the process that will take place while finding a replacement at the play-by-play position. Cards pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 12, while position players are required to arrive by Feb. 15.

McLaughlin, 48, was convicted of drunken driving in 2010 and '11. A potential third conviction could trigger the “persistent offender” mandate which would make the accused offense a Class E felony, which is punishable by a maximum penalty of four years in prison.