EL1 Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Voice of B-Mets Heads to Majors; Passes Mic to Former Partner

Published on March 17, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies News Release


Just weeks shy of becoming the longest tenured broadcaster in team history, Robert Ford departs Binghamton to take a position as the Kansas City Royals pre-game and post-game radio show host. Matt McCabe, Ford's sidekick in the B-Mets radio booth in 2007, assumes lead broadcasting duties for the upcoming season.

Ford's initial responsibility for his new employer, K.C. radio station KCSP-AM, involves a trip to the Royals' spring training camp in Surprise, Arizona to get acquainted with his new ballclub. It helps that Ford already knows two current Kansas City big leaguers as former B-Mets, Brian Bannister (2004-05) and Mike Jacobs (2003, 2005). Former Binghamton manager John Gibbons (1998) serves as the Royals bench coach.

The four years Ford worked as the B-Mets play-by-play announcer matches Dave Schultz (1996-99) for the most all-time. The Bronx native and Syracuse University graduate joins select company as the second former team broadcaster to break into the big leagues. Don Orsillo (1993-95) describes Boston Red Sox games for the New England Sports Network.

Since joining the B-Mets, Ford made Binghamton his year-round residence. During the past three off-seasons, he called Binghamton University women's basketball and select men's basketball games on WNBF-AM, also the B-Mets flagship station. Occasionally, Ford did play-by-play of high school football and basketball for WCDO in Sidney.

"Rob Ford continued the tradition of exceptional play-by-play announcers that our fans have become accustomed to enjoying. His talent and professionalism earned him this opportunity, and we are extremely proud of him and happy to see him get his break," said Scott Brown, B-Mets general manager.

Matt McCabe re-joins the Binghamton Mets after logging last season as the lead broadcaster for the Eugene (OR) Emeralds in the Northwest League. Prior to Eugene's mid-June season opener in 2008, the Houstonian completed his degree from Rice University. While an undergraduate at Rice, McCabe accumulated 190 regular season, baseball games for the Owls plus the team's appearances in the 2006 and 2007 College World Series in Omaha (NE).

Now the eighth lead broadcaster in the team's 18 seasons of existence, McCabe interned previously with the Houston Astros and the American Hockey League's Houston Aeros. His resume also includes experience as an announcer for Houston Baptist University's women's basketball team and as a sideline reporter for Rice football.

"Matt did an outstanding job for us in 2007, and we heard nothing but superlatives from our listeners. He brings a high level of excitement and insight into his broadcasts," commented Brown.

Fans will have their first chance to meet and listen to McCabe at the Welcome Home Dinner scheduled for Monday, April 6th at the Binghamton Regency hotel. Doors open at 5:30 pm with an autograph session with the entire 2009 squad of Binghamton Mets. Dinner and the program begin at 7:00 pm. Dinner tickets, as well as season and mini-pack game tickets, are on sale now through the Binghamton Mets offices at NYSEG Stadium.

The season opens on Wednesday, April 8th at the home of two-time defending champions Trenton Thunder in New Jersey at 7:05 pm. After a seven-game, eight-day road trip, the B-Mets host the Double-A Red Sox of Portland (ME) at 6:35 pm on Thursday, April 16th in the 2009 home opener.

BINGHAMTON METS RADIO ANNOUNCERS

1992 Rob Evans 2003 Joe Hecht

1993-95 Don Orsillo 2004 Matt Park

1996-99 Dave Schultz 2005-08 Robert Ford

2000-02 Josh Whetzel 2009 Matt McCabe

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Eastern League Stories from March 17, 2009


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