A’s make historic new hire
Schimmel becomes team’s first female PA voice
A’s fans returning to the Oakland Coliseum this season will be greeted by a new, but somewhat familiar voice.
Amelia Schimmel, a 33-year-old Oakland native who grew up a devout A’s fan, will become the team’s third PA announcer in their 53-year history, the A’s announced Tuesday. Schimmel will replace longtime A’s PA announcer Dick Callahan, who died in January after 15 seasons as the team’s voice at the ballpark. She’ll join the Giants’ Renel Brooks-Moon to give Bay Area baseball fans an all-female PA duo and will be the third female PA announcer in the majors. Marysol Castro handles PA duties for the New York Mets.
Schimmel actually has already done the job. She filled in as the A’s guest PA announcer during last year’s shortened season when Callahan opted out for health reasons. But, since no fans were allowed at the ballpark, Schimmel’s voice was only heard by fans during TV and radio broadcasts.
Now she’s already counting the days until Opening Night on April 1, when the A’s face the Astros at the Coliseum.
“I am an Oakland A through and through, so this is the greatest honor of my career,” Schimmel said in a statement. “As an Oakland native, I spent many nights at the Coliseum with my family. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would become the PA announcer for my favorite team. I am truly thankful for this opportunity and cannot wait for Opening Day.”
But she also took time to pay homage to her predecessor.
“I’m also eternally grateful to the late Dick Callahan, who was a great mentor to me over the last three years. Nobody will replace Dick, but I hope to make him proud as I sit behind the mic each night.”
In welcoming Schimmel, A’s president Dave Kaval also paid tribute to Callahan, who died eight months after the A’s original PA announcer Roy Steele passed away.
“We were fortunate to have the warm and welcoming voice of Dick Callahan echo throughout the Coliseum for 15 years. Dick was a friend to everyone he crossed paths with and beloved by A’s fans,” Kaval said. “Dick was also a great mentor and teacher to those who worked alongside him on a nightly basis, including Amelia. We know that she will continue his legacy, and we are excited for her to become the first female voice of the Athletics.”
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