Man. Let me tell you, being a fan of the Chicago Cubs over the last month has been a truly unique … and sobering … and moderately disappointing experience.
First, future Hall-of-Fame executive Theo Epstein resigned as the president of baseball operations one year before his deal was up with the Cubs. Then, two big members of the 2016 World Series team, Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber, were non-tendered before their time was up. And now, Len Kasper is reportedly leaving the Chicago Cubs/Marquee broadcast booth.
And he’s not just leaving the Cubs, he’s leaving the Cubs for the WHITE SOX.
I expected some big departures from the Cubs this offseason, but this one came as a shocker. Sources have confirmed to The Athletic that Len Kasper is leaving the Cubs to take the White Sox radio play-by-play job. Story: https://t.co/SSBZofOoTx
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) December 4, 2020
Here’s the intro to Sahadev Sharma’s relative bombshell:
As the Cubs start a busy offseason, one of the biggest departures is coming from the broadcast booth. After 16 years as the team’s TV play-by-play man, Len Kasper has decided to leave for the vacant White Sox radio job, according to multiple sources.
The move will be officially announced Friday morning on ESPN 1000, the new radio home of the White Sox. Kasper will team with color analyst Darrin Jackson, who returns for his 13th season in the radio booth and his 22nd overall with the team.
What is going on?!
Kasper was hired by the Cubs back in 2005, and has been something of a mainstay in Chicago Cubs sports culture ever since (from games, to events, to CubsConvention … his voice is just kind of ingrained in my head). He wasn’t everybody’s favorite announcer, but I always enjoyed his call and his ability to remain progressive in his analysis and commentary of the sport.
Remember when the Cubs eliminated the Cardinals from postseason contention on a walk-off 11th inning home run robbery by Leonys Martin?
I don’t think we celebrate this enough. pic.twitter.com/MRIB6m6uGZ
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 4, 2020
But man, we’ll do the memories and the great calls another time. For now, I’m still shocked. Kasper has been with the team for a very long time (and through some *particularly* memorable seasons). Replacing him will not be easy. And while I love J.D. he’s already been sharing then booth with a rotating cast of Marquee call-ons (former players and celebrities).
Sharma is reporting that Chris Myers is “a leading candidate to replace Kasper,” but I suppose we’ll wait to see what’s what before digging in. For now, it’s just such a shock. And the White Sox? And radio?!