Joining A's, Jenny Cavnar is 1st female lead play-by-play voice in MLB history
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Jenny Cavnar was named the A's lead play-by-play announcer on Tuesday, taking on a role in which she will call the majority of the club's games starting with the 2024 season. Cavnar will become the first woman in MLB history to serve as a club’s primary, regular play-by-play voice.
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"It is a dream come true to join the broadcast team for the Oakland A’s and their rich baseball history," Cavnar said in a statement. "Growing up the daughter of a baseball coach, I have loved the game from a young age, along with the stories, history and relationships the game provides. I’m excited to start my 18th season as a Major League broadcaster with my good friend Dallas Braden and share our experiences with the loyal fans of the Athletics as we go on this ride together."
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Cavnar was previously the Rockies' backup play-by-play announcer, pre- and postgame host and regional TV reporter, covering Colorado for the last 12 years. She also covered the Padres as a reporter and anchor. Cavnar is a five-time Emmy Award winner and was named Colorado Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association in 2021.
"Jenny is a very talented announcer with significant experience covering baseball," said NBC Sports California and NBC Sports Bay Area president and general manager Matt Murphy. "She’s been a groundbreaking professional who’s earned the admiration of fans and her peers throughout her career. We’re very excited for her to join our excellent team and lead our A’s coverage starting this season."
Cavnar has been breaking barriers for women in baseball for a long time. On April 23, 2018, she became the first woman since 1993 to broadcast play-by-play on a Major League telecast when she called a Rockies game against the Padres. In 2015, she became the first woman to do radio analysis for a National League series.
Cavnar is part of a group of female TV and radio announcers in baseball that includes others like Orioles play-by-play announcer Melanie Newman, Yankees radio commentator Suzyn Waldman and ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza.