Michael Hagerty Chicago Cubs PA Announcer Audition

When I was in high school I began announcing starting lineups for basketball games, and I haven't stopped announcing sports of one kind or another in the 16 years since.
After high school I began announcing baseball games and major events in college.

Then, as a young professional, I moonlighted as a PA announcer for Baylor University baseball and softball.

Most recently, I'm the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, Triple A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. I also announce a variety of sports at the University of Nevada, including softball, volleyball and soccer -- and I'm the reserve announcer for the school's basketball team.

I've also spent 13 years as a reporter and on-air personality on both radio and TV. My work has been heard on NPR's All Things Considered and NPR Newscasts. My work has been seen on PBS stations across the country and on the likes of NBC, CBS, MSNBC, Fox News and Bloomberg. I've served as the news director at two NPR/PBS stations. And I have strong skills in all areas of media production -- on-air talent, reporting, writing, copyediting, photography, camerawork, audio, video editing and graphic design. Every aspect of my submitted video was created/edited by me. I could be a strong, creative asset to the Cubs organization beyond just game-day duties.

And -- most importantly -- I have 32 years experience as an ardently devoted Cubs fan who follows all 162 games a year. So I have a deep understanding of what it means to be a Cubs fan (with the scars to prove it) -- the traditions, the joys and the laments of all things emanating from the corner of Clark and Addison.

I'll weep like a baby when we eventually win it all (and, yes, I'm an optimist). The only thing I love more than baseball is Cubs baseball.

Why do I want this job?

When I was a kid, I used to sit on the floor of my Northwest Indiana home and pretend to be a radio DJ. My mother bought me a tape recorder for Christmas one year, and I'd record myself announcing songs and pretending to take requests from callers -- imitating the personalities I'd hear on Chicago radio stations like WGN, WBBM and WLS.

Then I'd take the show outside. Like any midwestern boy, I'd hit some baseballs in my backyard announcing pretend play-by-play to an audience of one. But I was different than a lot of those boys. I announced the PA too. And instead of paying obsessive attention to how Ryne Sandberg hit a fastball, I was more interested in how the announcers called a game (and lord knows I was better at imitating them than Ryno).

I wanted to be like them, and, in the years since, I went about doing just that -- rising through the ranks to become the voice of one of the premier Minor League ballparks in the country. But while I truly enjoy working in Triple A (and a for top-notch organization, the Reno Aces), the dream of announcing specifically at Wrigley Field triggered this career path for me in the first place. The intended destination was always The Friendly Confines. Not just a job. Not just the majors. Wrigley.

I don't want this job just because it would be an honor, a privilege, or fun. I've wanted this job since I was a kid because it's EXACTLY what I love to do at EXACTLY the place I love most on earth. Such ardent desire is a valuable intangible, but I couple it with the more tangible strength of extensive experience needed to do the job superbly.

I promise you won't be disappointed with my work or my passion.

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[theblakshirts]

freaking amazing... give this guy the job now!

[DeVadisgheid]

He's a great video editor and a great announcer! Maybe he could be a documentary producer in the off-season, the next Ken Burns of the Cubs.

[ViewCount2]

lovely 

[jaypercy78]

Death by astroturfing. Some of the comments praising the audition were such obvious plants that I blushed upon reading them. Who posts something and then posts dozens of comments purporting to be from other, uninterested parties when in reality said comments are all from the same source?

All that says in the end is "I'm a tool, please don't hire me."

Mission accomplished.

[cdotto14]

So glad you didn't get this. Your friends cost you a shot.

[cleshleman]

@cubsfanjay69 Just wanted to note that Michael Hagerty is NOT the one you are conversing with. He has not responded to your comments. Your conversation speaks for itself and does not involve him. I think it's sad these days the way people forget that they are conversing with real people when using the internet. I wish we could all just show a little human kindness. That doesn't mean that we can't be honest, but there are ways to do so tackfully and kindly and with class.

[cubsfanjay69]

Trust me there was no threat. I called it the way I see it. Let it go man you suck you did not get the job. Get a life and leave my email alone. Get laid or something nobody else I comented on felt the need to defend themself are we a little insecure? need to show how big it is? go away.

[laresh17]

@cubsfanjay69 Whatever guy. You just happened to post disparaging things about a number of other candidates (ntp0720, georgejamesbliss, Wayne Carr to name a few). You sure seemed to take being called out on that fact a bit personally, didn't you? No trolling going on there, right? By the way, thanks for the implied threats as well, it really helps in establishing your sterling character.

[cubsfanjay69]

@laresh17 I would be careful of who you call a troll I gave you my honest thought.I have been a season ticket holder for over 19 years at Wrigley I truley hope after that coment by you that you never grace our presence there. I did forward your coments about me to a few hundred North side rooter members I have gotten several coments back from them they alos enjoy your grade school retort. Good luck in your future I just pray it is not ever at Wrigley we don't need more band wagon jumpers.

[ChrisBame]

Yo Mike, you get a call? Harry here didn't....your 2 minutes was great. Best of luck in the future my man!

[robdamedic]

OUTSTANDING job Mike!! You have my vote! Watching the Cubbies with you announcing will be a treat! The other auditions were good, but yours was OUTSTANDING!! Good Luck!

[robdamedic]

OUTSTANDING job Mike!! You have my vote! Watching the Cubbies with you announcing will be a treat! Good Luck!