Exploring Local Alternatives to Succeed Dick Bremer
The general belief is that Cory Provus is the odds-on favorite to replace Dick Bremer in the TV booth. But let’s not stop there. Let’s throw out some other candidates (from the sane to the insane) with ties to the Twins.
The Frontrunner
Cory Provus
Provus joined the Twins as their radio play-by-play voice a dozen years ago as a fresh-faced announcer. He had already worked with legends in the field, such as Bob Uecker with the Brewers and Jim Hughes and Ron Santo with the Cubs. For most of that time, he’s called all spring training games and all games throughout the season. Over the past couple of years, he has missed Saturdays in the fall, calling college football games for the Big Ten Network.
Most agree that Cory does a terrific job of communicating to all generations of Twins fans through his ability to discuss and appreciate the history of the Twins while at the same time understanding and communicating current trends in the game.
It should be a seamless transition from Bremer to Provus. Provus has relationships with Justin Morneau, LaTroy Hawkins, and Glen Perkins. He’s fully ingrained in the Twins media and community.
Frankly, I can’t help but assume that Cory Provus gets job offers reasonably frequently. Moving from the #1 guy on the radio to the lead on the TV broadcast would mean a higher profile in a more secure industry and a decent pay raise.
Radio Chops
The next group could also be in consideration for the position, but if Provus lands the TV broadcast, these next candidates should be in line for Provus's radio role.
Kris Atteberry
The best Twins radio broadcasts are when Provus and Atteberry share the booth. Frankly, it’s time for Atteberry to take over the #1 spot on the radio. I don’t think there is more to say than that. It should be clear.
However, this wouldn’t be a fun article if we only mentioned the favorites. We need more names. So, these next guys should be interviewed and strongly considered for the #1 spot, but with a mind that if Atteberry is #1, they need a quality #2.
Sean Aronson
The radio and TV voice of the Twins Triple-A affiliates does a fantastic job calling Saints baseball games. Having seen more of his work in recent years, it’s clear that he is remarkably prepared for both the season and individual games. He is a good communicator. He knows the game and the history of the game. And he has had a unique view of Twins players who have spent time with the Saints over the past three seasons.
Josh Whetzel
For those who have followed Twins minor-league baseball over the past decade or more, you know Josh Whetzel’s name. He is the play-by-play guy for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. He is also the voice of the University of Buffalo’s men’s basketball team. Since the Red Wings joined the Washington Nationals organization, Whetzel has joined the MLB broadcast for a weekend each year. He would be an incredible addition.
Out of the Box
Erik Bremer
A sentimental choice, Erik Bremer is the son of Dick Bremer, so how cool would it be to keep Twins TV’s voice in the Bremer name for another three or four decades? However, this is not solely a sentimental choice.
Erik Bremer has put together a robust portfolio for himself. He has done radio play-by-play for minor league teams and other sports. He has called college basketball and high school football. He has broadcast games in the Cape Cod League as well as minor-league games in cities such as Biloxi (Mississippi), Colorado Springs, Woodbridge (Virginia), and Fredericksburg (Virginia). He spent a winter in Australia calling Brisbane Bandits games in the Australian Baseball League. He has spent the last couple of seasons calling games for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and also does television for the Pensacola Ice Flyers.
While he is not yet 30, young Bremer has paid some dues already in his career. He is certainly deserving of an interview and a genuine opportunity.
Marney Gellner
She has been a part of Twins Baseball TV broadcasts for a long time. She has done in-studio work. She has done sideline reporting. She has been in the booth a couple of times. In the last couple of seasons, her summer focus has been Minnesota Lynx basketball. She is the play-by-play voice for their TV broadcasts, and she does the sideline reporting and in-studio work for the Wolves.
Out of Our Minds?
Nash Walker
Walker is maybe not the #1 choice for this job if Vegas has such wagers available, but he’s #1 in the hearts and minds of Twins Daily. As you know, Nash is from Minnesota, and a year ago, he graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. He has been writing for Twins Daily for several years, and I think you would agree that he has put together some great content. He is a fantastic writer. He is terrific with video.
In addition, he spent the summer of 2022 calling games for the Palm Springs Power. He was a broadcaster with the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Reno Aces, in 2023. Since the season ended, he has become a full-time Communications Coordinator and will call games for them again in 2024. I mean, unless the Twins go to him.
Gleeman and the Geek
It would fit the idea of taking the broadcast in a different direction. Aaron Gleeman and Twins Daily’s John Bonnes have one of the most popular baseball podcasts in the world. Most Fridays, you can listen to their free podcast. In addition, they have one or two Patreon podcasts each week during the season and less frequently in the offseason.
Well, along with that, how about the two of them chat while watching the ballgame from the booth? Who knows where the conversation will go? Would the graphics team be ready for their statistical analysis? Will they be able to avoid swearing for three straight hours, 162 times per season?
The Trevors
Trevor Plouffe has successfully made the transition from ballplayer to the media. His involvement at Jomboy Productions is fantastic. Plouffe also joined the Twins TV broadcasts at various times throughout the season in 2023. He was fantastic. Most who listened would likely agree.
Trevor May went on his viral Twitch stream and announced that he was retiring from baseball. He will remain active in the game on his Twitch site, and I would think he would have more opportunities because he is good at it, and he’s always been fan-friendly.
How interesting would it be to hear the analysis and conversations between Plouffe and May? How would they incorporate Morneau and Perkins into their broadcasts? I have do not doubt that they will figure it out. All four of them provide stellar informative content.
