In an abrupt move made hours before the first pitch of the 2021 home opener, the Orioles have cut ties with longtime public address announcer Ryan Wagner, according to multiple sources.
Wagner, who was entering his 10th season behind the microphone for the club, was at Camden Yards early on Thursday morning recording spots for local television stations in preparation for the team’s first game in front of fans in 18 months.
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Wagner had gone home briefly and was supposed to return for the game, but was called by the Orioles and told not to come back to the stadium. On Friday he was officially terminated.
Bowie Baysox public address announcer Adrienne Roberson was contacted early Thursday morning and asked if she could be available for that afternoon’s opener.
Roberson, who has filled in occasionally for Wagner in the past, handled PA duties on Thursday. She is expected to continue to serve as the club’s PA announcer through the first homestand, according to a source. Plans beyond that have not been determined.
Orioles spokesperson Jennifer Grondahl said the club’s policy is to “not comment on employment matters.”
When reached by phone Friday, Wagner declined to comment.
Sources say Wagner’s abrupt firing was due, at least in part, to commentary on his personal Twitter account, @rwags614. He had been previously cautioned by team officials about his social media postings, one source said.
His most recent Twitter post from Thursday, in response to an Orioles fan’s excitement to return to the park after a year’s absence due to the pandemic, expressed Wagner’s own anticipation of fans coming back.
“*You* can’t wait???? I spent 30 games last season talking to myself!! … Sincerely – can’t wait to welcome fans back to the best ballpark in baseball. It just wasn’t the same without you.”
Wagner was just the third full-time PA announcer in the history of Camden Yards, which opened in 1992, and the club’s third in nearly 50 seasons.
Orioles’ Hall of Famer Rex Barney held the job from 1974 until his death in 1997. Dave McGowan took over from 1998 until 2011 — a period that coincided with the club’s record 14 consecutive losing seasons — and Wagner joined the Orioles in 2012, their first foray into the playoffs since 1997.
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Wagner’s prolonged pronunciation of former Orioles’ shortstop J.J. Hardy — Jayyy Jayyy Hardeee — became his signature call.
A Baltimore native, Wagner was regularly involved with Orioles events as an emcee and was previously a co-host of the MLB Fan Cave. He also works as an ambassador for Guinness International.
(Photo: via @rwags614)