Kevin Brown has been MASN’s play-by-play broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles for just two years, and is clearly a respected voice in the business.
But that apparently didn’t stop Baltimore’s flagship sports network MASN from removing the broadcaster from games since July 23, calling the O’s series against the Philadelphia Phillies for the local radio network and not working another game since.
Awful Announcing reports the suspension — although the Orioles dispute it is an official suspension — stems from a pre-game segment ahead of Baltimore’s July 23rd game at Tampa Bay, a seemingly normal monologue where Brown details the team’s struggles on the road against the Rays.
Kevin Brown is one of the most talented, thoughtful, curious, positive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, working with and calling a friend.
— Jason Benetti (@jasonbenetti) August 7, 2023
He’s truly one of the best play-by-play announcers in the country.
If the Orioles don’t want him, another team’ll be elated. https://t.co/tIUcrIGjBm
The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli corroborated Awful Announcing’s report, writing that “despite it being in the game notes, ownership took exception to Brown pointing it out, sources said, believing it made them sound cheap. Baltimore ranks 29th in Major League Baseball in payroll.”
Ghiroli says it is unknown when Brown will return.
The Baltimore Orioles own MASN, and both organizations declined comment to the Athletic. The Orioles did tell Awful Announcing “We don’t comment on personnel matters” and “We look forward to hearing Kevin’s voice soon,” while disputing that an official suspension has took place.
This incident comes after Baltimore also reportedly instituted a new rule, per Ghiroli, that broadcasters must only wear team gear, which actually forced Brown to call the radio games due to the policy. The Athletic also reports Baltimore has “reprimanded” previous broadcasters for mentioning past Orioles who are not longer on the team.
Gary Cohen’s epic rant about the Orioles unfair suspension of announcer Kevin Brown: pic.twitter.com/WywS2Qhzvx
— Rob Piersall (@RTPiersall) August 8, 2023
Plenty of broadcasters took to Twitter on Monday to lend support to Brown, including White Sox PBP man Jason Benetti, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, the Yankees’ Michael Kay and ESPN’s Kevin Neghandi and Kevin Connors.
