Dan Baker spent his 80th birthday giving a gift rather than receiving one. On September 22, the longtime public address voice of the Philadelphia Phillies unveiled a donation of more than 75 pieces of Phillies memorabilia at his alma mater, Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Hundreds of fans, friends, students, and university staff gathered for the ceremony, which doubled as a birthday celebration for one of the most recognizable voices in Philadelphia sports history.
A Collection Built Over 54 Seasons
The collection now has a permanent home on the ground floor of Rowan’s Chamberlain Student Center. It reflects more than five decades of Baker’s time with the Phillies, and it includes some remarkable pieces.
Visitors will find jerseys from Hall of Famers Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, and Steve Carlton, along with a jersey from 2008 World Series champion Ryan Howard. The display also features replica World Series rings from the Phillies’ championship seasons of 1980 and 2008, as well as Baker’s own Phillies watch.
Signed baseballs and bats round out the collection, with autographs from Joe DiMaggio, Ashburn, Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Jim Bunning, Jim Thome, and many others. Fans of vintage collectibles will also spot a pair of Gartlan figures of Schmidt and Carlton.
Why Baker Chose to Share It
Baker told 6abc that the collection had been sitting in his den at home, where hardly anyone ever saw it. He decided it could do more good on campus, and he hopes it might inspire a current student to “follow in my footsteps” and pursue a career in broadcasting.
The donation was years in the making. According to Rowan University, Baker first began talking with the school about the idea four years ago. He worked with Neil Hartman, senior director of Rowan’s Center for Sports Communication and Social Impact and a former Philadelphia sports broadcaster, to choose which items would go on display. Hartman noted that Baker’s voice has been part of many of the city’s greatest sports moments, and that his journey began right there in Glassboro.
Hall of Fame Sports Memorabilia of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, designed the exhibit alongside Baker and Hartman. The company also donated the glass cases and wall frames that protect the collection.
From the Classroom to the Ballpark
Baker’s path to the microphone was not a straight line. He graduated in 1968 from what was then Glassboro State College, where he majored in junior high school education and played on the basketball team. After graduation, he taught and coached at Landreth Elementary School in Philadelphia.
His career with the Phillies began in 1972. In his remarks to the crowd, Baker said he never could have imagined where life would take him when he first arrived on campus. He credited the education and friendships he found at Glassboro State with laying the foundation for a career filled with memorable moments in Philadelphia sports.
Baker is now the longest serving active public address announcer in Major League Baseball. His voice has carried from Veterans Stadium to Citizens Bank Park, and he has worked six World Series.
This past July, he added another first to his list. When the All-Star Game came to Citizens Bank Park, Baker became the first PA announcer in major league history to work three All-Star Games in his home ballpark.
His work has not been limited to baseball, either. He spent 29 seasons as a public address announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles and has called a dozen Army-Navy games in Philadelphia.
Friends and Colleagues Share Their Praise
The ceremony featured remarks from former Phillies relief pitcher and current radio color commentator Larry Andersen, who spoke warmly about Baker’s character. Andersen said Baker has been a tremendous asset not only to the organization but to everyone he meets, adding, “Take the time to meet Dan and you’ll see that kindness shine through constantly.”
Rowan University President Ali Houshmand also spoke, calling Baker’s care for people his greatest legacy. Houshmand said he hopes visitors to the exhibit will be inspired by Baker’s kindness and perseverance.
Before the unveiling, Rowan’s baseball team and head coach Mike Dickson presented Baker with a team uniform and a birthday cake.
Perseverance and Giving Back
Baker’s longevity is even more impressive given what he has faced along the way. He overcame sinus and skin cancer in 2020 and returned to the job he loves.
He has also been a longtime supporter of his old school. Baker continues to help Rowan students through scholarship programs, including a scholarship in his name for students pursuing careers in professional broadcasting.
In closing his remarks, Baker asked students to look at the display as more than a record of one graduate’s career. He said he hopes they will see where his journey started, what he overcame along the way, and what is possible when they believe in themselves and follow their own path.
For a school that helped launch one of the most enduring careers in Phillies history, the new exhibit is a fitting tribute. For Phillies fans, it is one more reason to appreciate the man whose voice has welcomed them to the ballpark for 54 seasons.
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