For the second time this week, former Cardinal player Mike Shannon has made headlines in the St. Louis area. This time, the news is in regards to his broadcasting schedule. Last season, he cut back the amount of games he would announce, especially on the road, in order to spend more time with his family.
This season, he will not be calling any road games.
Shannon said, “It’s just time. This will be the first time I can really enjoy my summer. I’ve never been able to do something in the summer because of the road games. It was time to move on.” And Cardinals Team President Bill DeWitt Jr. announced it was strictly the decision of Shannon.
“He still feels energized,” said DeWitt. “It’s a fairly common thing for a legendary broadcaster to (do) home games only, so we felt that Mike certainly deserved to be given the opportunity to make that choice.’”
For 45 years, Shannon, who turns 77 this July, has been a staple in the broadcast booth, calling the games on 1120 KMOX alongside the likes of the late Jack Buck, and his current legendary partner, John Rooney. Former Cardinal and announcer Rick Horton has filled in for Shannon for the majority of games he’s missed in the past.
Debuting as a Major League Baseball player in 1962, Shannon has been a part of the Cardinals organization in some capacity for over 54 years, and is a member of the Cardinals Hall of Fame. In the past few years, he has gradually begun broadcasting fewer games, but still broadcasts nearly every home game over the course of the season.
Last week, Shannon was in the news when he announced after 30 years, his downtown restaurant properly named “Shannon’s”, would be closing down, so he can focus on other business ventures, in addition to his other restaurants.
But for those longtime Shannon fans, you’ll still be able to hear him close to half of the baseball season, which is always better than nothing.
(Photo Credit: STLToday)
