Trailblazing broadcaster Beth Mowins made her first appearance as play-by-play voice for the Chicago Cubs on the Marquee Sports Network over the weekend.
During the offseason, Mowins was named part of the Cubs rotating cast of announcers who will fill-in for the team’s lead play-by-play voice Boog Sciambi this year. And on Saturday, not only was it her first appearance in the Cubs broadcast booth, but it was the first time in franchise history that they had a female play-by-play voice.
As the camera panned the stadium to start the broadcast, it zoomed in on a father and daughter with a “Welcome Beth” sign.
“Oh, that’s very sweet,” Mowins said when she saw the sign. “Thank you so much. Looking forward to being part of the Marquee team this year, as we get set for the Chicago Cubs and the Colorado Rockies.”
Not lost on the historic moment over the weekend is the fact that Mowins has been a groundbreaking sportscaster throughout her career, helping to inspire women young and old.
“Having two little girls, it’s a big deal,” said Brandon Bajema, the father holding the ‘Welcome Beth’ sign. “I want them to feel like they can be a part of anything or do anything that they want to do. So, we’re excited.”
Mowins joined ESPN in 1994, where she’s called the Women’s College World Series for over 20 years. In 2017, Mowins became the second female play-by-play voice in NFL history, and the first to call a nationally televised game, doing so Monday Night Football matchup between the Chargers and Broncos.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
