Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey
Earlier this week the San Francisco Giants announced that after 24 seasons they will be parting ways with beloved PA Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon.
“As a Bay Area native, it has been the honor of my lifetime to serve on the mike and in the community for the Giants for 24 years,” the 65-year-old said in the news release. “My very first game on April 11, 2000, I shall never forget, because the job has always been bigger than me. Representation matters, and it is my great hope that my time in the booth has inspired little girls, young women and people of color to pursue their dreams even if those dreams seem impossible, because impossible dreams can come true.
“To my successor, best of luck, and enjoy every minute of it! To the talented young control-room crew, I could not be prouder of you all. And last, but certainly not the least, the fans: 100% the best fans in all of baseball, many of whom have become personal friends. I can’t thank you enough for your overwhelming kindness and support. I will miss you all the most. Go Get 'Em Bo Mel!”
The news came as a shock to baseball fans throughout the Bay Area. In the past quarter century the presence and voice of Brooks-Moon at Oracle Park was synonymous to the game day experience along with the sweeping views of the bay and their three World Championships. Brooks-Moon was the second female PA Announcer for the San Francisco Giants replacing Sherry Davis, who held the position from 1993-1999.
Aside from being the first female PA Announcer to announce during the World Series, Brooks-Moon has been honored by many organizations, including American Women in Radio and Television, Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame, 100 Black Women, Bay Area Black Journalists Association and Girls, Inc. She is in the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed "Renel Brooks-Moon Day" in her honor on March 18, 2005.
San Francisco Giants announcer Renel Brooks-Moon addresses the crowd during a Wall of Fame induction ceremony before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on Sept. 17, 2022, in San Francisco.
Photo Courtesy of Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
In light of her separation, Brooks-Moon on Wednesday was named 2024 Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly on Wednesday by District Supervisor Matt Haney.
On Thursday Giants President and CEO Larry Baer announced that the Giants won’t have a permanent replacement for Brooks-Moon to start the 2024 season. Instead, they will use “rotating voices” in the 2024 season. Baer also stated that the team hasn't started the search for a replacement yet but will “soon,” adding that it will take time because Brooks-Moon “is a legend” and leaves “tough” shoes to fill.
With Baer practically admitting the organization was not prepared to find her replacement, perhaps now would be a great opportunity for those of you out there to submit an audition tape to team president Larry Baer to be among the “rotating voices” of PA Announcers during the 2024 season. Who knows, maybe just maybe you could be the next legendary voice of Oracle Park though as Baer alluded to earlier Brooks-Moon “is a legend” and leaves “tough” shoes to fill.
Follow and view all of Andrei’s Los Angeles journeys on Instagram @thestadiumjourneyman and @dreiinla and on TikTok @dre1nla.