Sportsnet to hire Ben Shulman as new Blue Jays radio voice actor

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Another offseason for baseball means another roster shuffle for those who bring Canadians their Blue Jays baseball coverage.

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After the 2023 season ended and Ben Wagner was unceremoniously shoved out of the radio booth, sources familiar with the broadcast staff tell Sportsnet that a name familiar to the team’s fans will be announced soon to replace the veteran. That’s what it means.

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Ben Shulman, son of longtime Jays great TV voice Dan Shulman, will take over radio duties starting with this month’s spring training activities. And unlike his predecessor, the younger Schulman will have a regular partner in the booth, with former pro player Chris Leroux rumored to be handling analyst duties.

It is expected that radio crews will call road games remotely, as has been the case in recent seasons.

Dan Shulman will return as the lead play-by-play voice for Rodgers’ in-depth television coverage, and will be joined in the booth by Buck Martinez and Joe Siddal, who will share analyst duties.

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Details of Sportsnet’s broadcast plans are not yet clear, but it is expected that former catcher Caleb Joseph, who continued to evolve as an insightful studio analyst last season, will have an increased role.

Shulman, a youngster who attended Syracuse University, which has produced many talented sportscasters over the years, has been steadily adding to his work resume, filling in for Wagner at times last season. Given his presence as Wagner’s replacement in 2023, speculation centered around Schulman being the logical replacement.

Sportsnet has made it abundantly clear that radio is a low priority for the network, but this assignment represents a huge opportunity for a young broadcaster still in his early 20s. With Rodgers apparently planning to simulcast Grapefruit League games on radio and television, Schulman will get a lot of early exposure in the coming weeks by providing early play-by-play of new games. This will give you an opportunity to get acquainted with your audience. -Look Team.

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“I don’t say this because I’m his father, but I think he’s really good,” Dan Schulman told Toronto Sun colleague Steve Simmons last year. “I think I’m more nervous listening to him talk than when he’s doing it.”

Another father figure, Ben Shulman, not only broadcasts the Raptors’ 905 games on the radio, but has also trained as a basketball broadcaster, most recently appearing in Sportsnet’s Olympic qualifying tournament. We provide live coverage of the Canadian women’s basketball team in action.

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Schulman will benefit from a steady partner in Leroux, unlike the way Sportsnet let Wagner sit on his own or use a rotation of analysts to call multiple games and have a tough time. Strong chemistry from the two booths is essential for a successful broadcast.

The fact that Rodgers did not renew Wagner’s contract in the wake of these challenges drew the ire of at least one Jays broadcast legend.

After being told Wagner would not be returning, Jerry Howarth told the Toronto Sun, “Throughout his six seasons, the network never gave Ben a former player to work with full-time on radio. ” he said. “It will not only establish good chemistry between them, but it will also give the audience a keen insight into what is happening on the field and why from a player’s perspective.

“It’s very important and essential to broadcasting for daily viewers.”

rlongley@postmedia.com

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