Len Kasper
Encyclopedia
Len Kasper is a play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs
(2005–present), teaming with Bob Brenly
on WGN-TV
, WCIU-TV
, and Comcast SportsNet
.
. His broadcasting influence was the Detroit Tigers
' legendary broadcaster, Ernie Harwell
.
He graduated from Shepherd High School
.
He graduated summa cum laude from Marquette University
with a degree in public relations in 1993.
He and his wife Pam have one son, named Leo.
(1999–2001) and Florida Marlins
(2002–2004). Before then, he worked for WTMJ-AM (620) in Milwaukee as the host of the station's daily sports show, hosted pregame and halftime shows for the Green Bay Packers
, and was a co-host on a hot stove league
show on the Brewers' radio network. He was actually the Cubs' third choice for an announcer behind Dave O'Brien and Matt Vasgersian
. Beginning January 2009, Kasper has also become a disc jockey
. He hosts a weekly show for one hour, Wednesday evenings at 8:00 on WXRT
, an adult album alternative
station, where he has often made appearances to discuss Chicago Cubs
baseball.
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
(2005–present), teaming with Bob Brenly
Bob Brenly
Robert Earl Brenly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. He played the majority of his career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants and played half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays...
on WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
, WCIU-TV
WCIU-TV
WCIU-TV is an independent television station located in Chicago, Illinois. It operates on UHF digital channel 27 and is Chicago's oldest UHF station, signing on the air in 1964. WCIU-TV is the flagship station of Weigel Broadcasting, a locally-based broadcaster which has owned the station since...
, and Comcast SportsNet
Comcast SportsNet
Comcast SportsNet is a group of regional sports networks in the United States primarily owned by the Comcast cable television company....
.
Personal life
Kasper grew up in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. His broadcasting influence was the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' legendary broadcaster, Ernie Harwell
Ernie Harwell
William Earnest "Ernie" Harwell was an American sportscaster, known for his long career calling play-by-play of Major League Baseball games. For 55 years, 42 of them with the Detroit Tigers, Harwell called the action on radio and/or television...
.
He graduated from Shepherd High School
Shepherd Public School District (Michigan)
The Shepherd Public School District is located in the Village of Shepherd in southern Isabella County in Michigan. The district is about north of Lansing and about south of Mt. Pleasant, home of Central Michigan University where many Shepherd students take advantage of dual enrollment opportunities...
.
He graduated summa cum laude from Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
with a degree in public relations in 1993.
He and his wife Pam have one son, named Leo.
Career
His previous stints were with the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(1999–2001) and Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
(2002–2004). Before then, he worked for WTMJ-AM (620) in Milwaukee as the host of the station's daily sports show, hosted pregame and halftime shows for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, and was a co-host on a hot stove league
Hot stove league
The "Hot Stove League" is a baseball-related term, referring to the sport's off-season. The phrase does not denote an actual league "league", but instead calls up images of baseball fans, anxious for the start of the new season, gathering around a hot stove during the cold winter months discussing...
show on the Brewers' radio network. He was actually the Cubs' third choice for an announcer behind Dave O'Brien and Matt Vasgersian
Matt Vasgersian
Matt Vasgersian is an American sportscaster and television host. Vasgersian is a host for the MLB Network and has served as an announcer for NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympics, and on Fox Sports' MLB coverage...
. Beginning January 2009, Kasper has also become a disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
. He hosts a weekly show for one hour, Wednesday evenings at 8:00 on WXRT
WXRT
WXRT, also known as WXRT 93.1, XRT, and 93-XRT is a AAA radio station in Chicago, Illinois. For many years their slogan has been "Chicago's Finest Rock". WXRT is a primary sponsor of the Chicago nonprofit Rock For Kids.-History:...
, an adult album alternative
Adult album alternative
Adult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....
station, where he has often made appearances to discuss Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
baseball.
Quotes
- "We're very high right now, and I'm not referring to our Woodstock conversation." (talking about the broadcasting booth at the Washington Nationals' stadium)- Cubs @ Nationals, Nationals Park, April 27, 2008
- "Swing and a miss! A no hitter! Carlos Zambrano has no hit the Houston Astros! Ohhh Baby!" (Carlos Zambrano's no hitter)-Cubs @ Astros, Miller Park, September 14, 2008
- "It wiiiiilll go!" - Often said while announcing a Cubs home run.
- "The pitch to Aramis, he hits a drive, deep left center! Cubs win! They win it! Ramirez! 2-run shot! Ohhh baby! Can you believe it? Unbelievable!"-Brewers @ Cubs, Wrigley Field, June 29, 2007