Jenny Cavnar: A Rookies Announcer Joins Oakland A’s
The first-ever female play-by-play announcer in Major League Baseball history, Jenny Cavnar, joins the A’s.
Jenny Cavnar is the first woman in Major League Baseball history to hold the role of principal play-by-play commentator for NBC Sports California’s live-game coverage of the Oakland Athletics.
As per the network’s announcement on Tuesday, Cavnar will be the caller for the majority of A’s broadcast this season. Following 12 years as the Colorado Rockies‘ backup play-by-play announcer for regional television, where she also worked as a reporter and pregame/postgame host, she is embarking on a new chapter in her career.
Not only has Jenny Cavnar accomplished great things in the past, but in April 2018, when the San Diego Padres played the Rockies, she became the first female play-caller in 25 years on television. Having covered the San Diego Padres for over five years as a reporter and anchor, Cavnar’s debut was flawless.
Her 20 years in the sports media have been devoted to covering baseball for the last 17 years. She was the first female analyst for a National League series on the radio in 2015.
“Joining the broadcast crew for the Oakland A’s and their rich baseball history is a dream come true. Being the daughter of a baseball coach, I have always enjoyed the game and the connections, history, and tales it can foster. Along with my dear buddy Dallas Braden, I’m thrilled to begin my 18th season as a big league announcer and share our journey with the devoted Athletics fans.”
Jenny Cavnar
The five-time Emmy Award winner played lacrosse at Colorado State University before starting her professional career.
She will be joining former A’s pitcher Dallas Braden as a color analyst for NBC Sports California. Cavnar and Braden got to know each other through her husband, Steven Spurgeon, a former minor league right-hander with the White Sox.
In an enthusiastic video that was shared on social media on Tuesday, Braden greeted Cavnar to the team and discussed her skill with The Athletic.
“I constantly tell [Spurgeon], Dude, I can’t wait to hang out with you because I can finally talk baseball.”
“I told him you don’t know s*** about baseball, but your wife and I can talk ball.”
He continued, referencing his professional baseball career. “I believe she will put herself in a wonderful position to succeed with the way she prepares.”
It won’t be until spring baseball returns that A’s fans will get to see Cavnar’s style up close.
