Josh Caray, a third-generation play-by-play announcer, will serve as the voice of the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Class AA; Southern League) in their inaugural 2020 season.
In addition, the Trash Pandas and Cumulus Media have announced an expansive three- year partnership, which will bring live radio broadcasts of the team’s 140 home and away games to fans throughout the Tennessee Valley on SportsRadio 730 (AM) and 103.9 (FM) The UMP, as well as promotional partnerships between the Trash Pandas and all 10 Cumulus stations in North and Central Alabama.
“This is a special day for our organization,” said Ralph Nelson, Trash Pandas CEO & Managing Partner. To have Josh Caray as our voice is yet another huge win for the amazing Trash Pandas fan base – they’re going to be blown away by his big-league style. Regarding our larger partnership… there are so many great stations in this region, and we intend to continue working with all of them. We chose Cumulus because of its extensive reach across a variety of market segments. Cumulus offered us an unprecedented opportunity to share the Trash Pandas experience with the most fans possible.”
Josh Caray is the son of the late Skip Caray, the long-time lead radio voice of the Atlanta Braves. Josh is also the grandson of Harry Caray, the legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster, who was a staple in Major League radio and TV booths for 50 years. Josh Caray most recently served as the football and men’s basketball radio play-by-play broadcaster at Stony Brook University on Long Island. He also called baseball games for Yale University and the Hudson Valley Renegades (Short Season A; NY-Penn League). Josh will broadcast Renegades games in 2019 before officially joining the Trash Pandas’ staff in the fall.
“Baseball play-by-play is obviously in my blood,” said Caray, of his new position with the Trash Pandas. “But calling games for a new franchise of this caliber is every announcer’s dream. Everywhere I go in Minor League Baseball, people are talking about the Trash Pandas and the excitement that our new team is generating throughout the country. To all the fans in Madison, Huntsville and beyond – you can be sure you’ll get my very best, every inning of every game.”
“Josh is just so very talented,” added Nelson. “It’s not an overstatement to say his addition is as big as any announcement that we’ll make. As we promised our fans, we continue to build a Major League-style operation, and we are honored and proud to have Josh on our team.”
Cumulus Media operates 10 radio stations in North and Central Alabama, including The UMP, Huntsville’s News Talk 770AM/92.5FM WVNN, 104.3 WZYP, 94.1 WHRP and 93.3 Nash Icon. This new deal lets fans across the region tune in to every Trash Pandas game on SportsRadio The UMP, and to hear news and information about Trash Pandas activities and events on other favorite Cumulus stations.
Mojo, of WZYP’s The Mojo Radio Show, has also been named day-of-game Master of Ceremonies at the new ballpark in Madison. In that role, he’ll engage fans one-on-one throughout games, emcee between- inning promotions, contests, and more. Mojo’s morning show producer, Ricky Fernandez, will oversee in-stadium music, video and sound effects, and Antonio MacBeath of News Talk WVNN’s The Dale Jackson Show will be the Madison Stadium Public Address Announcer.
“We are thrilled with this partnership,” said John Lewis, Vice President & Market Manager at Cumulus Media. “The Trash Pandas are already a world-class baseball franchise, and we have the resources to help them fully engage their extensive fan base. We’re also excited about the cross-promotional opportunities, so Trash Pandas fans can discover what so many already know – that Cumulus offers top- notch programming with great personalities, across a variety of platforms.”
The Trash Pandas are the current Mobile BayBears, who will relocate to Madison, AL following the 2019 season. Their upcoming home in Madison is currently under construction in the Town Madison development.
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