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After more than a week of confusion surrounding the absence of Kevin Brown, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network’s primary Orioles play-by-play announcer, he’s slated to return to the air later this week.
He will come back to the booth after his story dominated the sports news cycle Monday evening into Tuesday morning — even earning a mention on CNN.
Brown was yanked from the air following factual comments about the Orioles’ record in past seasons against the Rays, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Banner. The comments were accompanied by an on-air graphic and the fact was also included in Baltimore’s game notes, which are published by the team’s public relations staff before each game.
“The Orioles have won more games against them this season than the last two combined,” Brown said on-air ahead of the series finale against Tampa Bay on July 23. The game notes read: “The Orioles have won three of the first five games at The Trop this season after winning three of the 21 games played in St. Petersburg from 2020-22.”
Brown last participated in a radio broadcast during the series against the Phillies on July 24, 25 and 26. He’s missed eight games since then. A senior Orioles official said Monday that Brown’s absence was simply a case of the team shuffling its broadcasters.
“We don’t comment on employment decisions, however, Kevin Brown will be back with us in the near future,” the official told The Baltimore Banner.
But a source later confirmed to The Banner that Brown’s absence had been punitive.
Brown has been the voice of the Orioles’ resurgence this season and the news about his suspension has already upset the local fanbase. BreakingT, a sports merchandise company, is releasing “FREE KEVIN BROWN” shirts today, with proceeds going to BARCS animal shelter, a favored charity of Brown’s.
Banner columnist Kyle Goon wrote about how this was a familiar misstep from the organization, which has feuded with broadcasters in the past.
MLB broadcasters also reacted to the news yesterday. Here’s what some of them had to say:
Dan Patrick
New York Mets’ Gary Cohen
New York Yankees’ Michael Kay
Chicago White Sox’s Jason Benetti
New York Yankees’ John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman
Boston Red Sox’s Dave O’Brien and Kevin Youkilis
Los Angeles Angels’ Wayne Randazzo
Philadelphia Phillies’ Tom McCarthy
CNN chimed in, too
anish.vasudevan@thebaltimorebanner.com
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Anish Vasudevan is from Cupertino, California, and is currently the editor-in-chief for The Daily Orange, Syracuse's student-run newspaper. He previously worked as a beat writer for the Chatham Anglers. Anish is interested in telling stories that expand beyond what happens in between the white lines.
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