Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 10, 2009 at 11:27:55:
Personnel file: Len Kasper
Posted by Ed Sherman
at 4/10/2009 5:28 AM CDT on Chicago Business
With the baseball season beginning, it seems appropriate to designate Len Kasper the subject of today's Personnel File.
Mr. Kasper was an unknown commodity when he became the television voice of the Cubs in 2005. But in a short time, he and his partner Bob Brenly have become fixtures in the booth, forming one of the best teams in baseball.
Here's Len.
Current position: Cubs TV play-by-play announcer
Born: Jan. 12, 1971 in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Education, high school and college: Shepherd High School (Mich.), Marquette University
First job in sports: When I was 17, I started working at a local oldies radio station (WMMI) during the summers and on weekends during the school year.
Previous jobs before current position: First full-time job was with WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee. I was a sports guy who did just about everything there was to do on the station (anchored, hosted sports talk, hosted Packers pre- and post-game shows). I worked there from 1994-2002. From 1999-2001, I filled in on Brewers TV. From 2002-04, I was the TV play-by-play announcer for the Florida Marlins.
People who influenced you the most: It's a pretty long list, but just a few would be my parents, my sister, my wife and son, Bill Baxter (MU professor), Steve Wexler (my first PD at WTMJ), Tim Van Wagoner (former Brewers director of broadcasting), Ernie Harwell (Hall of Fame baseball announcer).
People you admire in the business: Too many to name, but keeping it specifically to broadcasters: Jon Sciambi (current baseball announcer and longtime friend). All my broadcast partners — Bill Schroeder (Milw.), Tommy Hutton (Fla.), Bob Brenly (Cubs).
Again, Ernie Harwell is the reason I wanted to get into this business in the first place, so he'd be at the top of the list. Pat Hughes (maybe the best radio play-by-play announcer in the business today and a good friend), Ron Santo (the most inspirational person I know).
Most memorable day you have had in the profession: Tough answer because there have been many, but it's tough to top your first big league game: 1999, Brewers at Pirates. I don't actually remember much about that day other than a Jeff Cirillo home run and I'm pretty sure I dropped a "LOOOONG gone!" as an homage to Ernie.
At that point, I had no idea where the major league journey would take me or how long it would last, but after that game, nobody could ever take that experience away from me. It was definitely a watershed moment. But the funny thing is, instead of feeling like I had accomplished what I had long wanted to do, it simply made me that much hungrier for more. It's an intoxicating feeling being able to call a major league baseball game.
Things you value in a business relationship: I think anybody would start this answer with the word "honesty." You always want to know where you stand and I also believe it's critical that you are upfront with your employer about your goals. I think the word "professionalism" is a big one I always come back to as well.
In this business, it's a thing that can sometimes get lost, but I always strive to work as hard as I can to do the best job I can, to treat co-workers with respect and to always do right by my company. I'm not saying others don't do those things, but there are occasions when I see people not taking their job seriously and it's disappointing.
I really believe your work life in this particular business is an open book and by that I mean, there are no secrets - it's high-profile and everyone inside the business sees how you work, how you treat people and how you go about your job, and the public hears and sees the results of your work every day. Those facts alone require a level of discipline that I think keeps people grounded - or at least it does for me.
Biggest challenge you face these days: I would say being the best husband and dad I can be with the incredible amount of travel involved with this job. It's the greatest job in the world, but the only downside is being away from my family for 7-10 days at a time.
What would be the perfect day for you outside of your job: Being at home would be the first place to start. Getting in a couple hours of tennis in the morning and then a couple crossword puzzles. Hanging out with my wife and son and our dogs. Maybe a nice dinner and then an early evening movie with my wife. I know, sounds boring, but that's what I enjoy to do.
Favorite sports movies: "This Old Cub," "The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg," "The Wrestler."
Love to trade places for a day with this person (inside the sports business): Maybe Vin Scully for a day just to feel what it would be like to be that brilliant on the air. He's the standard by whom we all measure ourselves and fail miserably. He's the best sports announcer in the history of the occupation.
White Sox fan or Cubs?: I would hope the answer is pretty obvious!
Favorite athletes to watch: Derrek Lee playing first base. Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano pitching. Manny Ramirez hitting. And I love to watch hockey. I think NHL players are the greatest athletes in the world.
Your dream foursome: Since I'm a tennis player, I'll go with John McEnroe, Gabriella Sabatini and Anna Kournikova (mixed doubles of course).
Bucket list (things you always wanted to do): Travel to Europe.
Your motto (something that you live by in business): Oh gosh, I can't think of a motto, but I guess I would just say work hard, treat others well and try not to worry about those things you can't control.