Athletics PA announcer Dick Callahan dies

The Oakland A’s lost their voice. Dick Callahan, the team’s public address announcer at the Oakland Coliseum, died Friday morning, the A’s announced.

Callahan lent his booming voice to the team’s games for some 15 seasons, starting in 2004.

He succeeded Roy Steele — otherwise known as the “Voice of God” — after his retirement. Steele died in May at age 87.

“He had such huge shoes to fill because Roy was an iconic figure,” A’s radio announcer Ken Korach said in a phone conversation. “To step in when Roy left was a tough thing, but it never seemed to effect Dick. He embraced the fact that Roy was beloved.”

Callahan’s age was not immediately known.

“We have lost a beloved member of our family who was a great friend to all that knew him,” the A’s said in a statement. “His passion and love for the A’s was like no other and his impact will never be forgotten. We extend our condolences to Dick’s family and friends during this time.”

Callahan’s voice rang over 1,000 games at the Coliseum. He stayed clear of the Coliseum for the shortened 2020 season because of health concerns he feared risking during the pandemic.

Callahan also spent nearly two decades as the PA announcer for the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, leaving his post in 2000. Korach said visiting announcers would say Callahan had the best PA voice of any in baseball.

“It did have great resonance,” Korach said. “It was a friendly voice, but he spoke with authority and with enthusiasm when the moment demanded that.”