Minnesota Twins hire Cory Provus as new TV play-by-play voice

But once the shock wore off, Dick’s replacement seemed as obvious as what was for dinner at the beef lady’s house, back in the 80’s. The Twins needed to hire Cory Provus, who has done radio play-by-play for the club since 2011, when John Gordon retired.

Carlos Correa had his biggest game as a Twin. Pablo Lopez pitched like an ace, and we have a series. Plus, I had a hunch that Correa would make the game ending play, so I hit record. @TwinsRadio #WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/gKAdjpbXno

— Cory Provus (@CoryProvus) October 9, 2023

Related: Twins and Bally Sports North are Done; Wolves and Wild are Next

And this time, decision makers didn’t overthink or hire for any reason other than finding the best voice for the job. On Friday morning, the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller got the exclusive scoop that Provus has been chosen as the new TV voice of the Minnesota Twins.

Cory Provus, who has called Twins games on radio since 2012, will inherit Bremer’s spot in the TV booth next season, multiple sources have confirmed. And the Twins will stay in-house to replace Provus on radio as well, by promoting studio host and fill-in play-by-play voice Kris Atteberry to the everyday job.

Phil Miller – Star Tribune

Kris Atteberry takes over radio play-by-play

Longtime radio voice, Kris Atteberry will take over play-by-play calling duties on Twins radio calls. Atteberry has been a part of Twins radio broadcasts since 2007, working pre and post-games and filling in when needed. Another good decision.

Related: Derek Falvey Admits Twins Plan to Cut Payroll Next Season

Provus isn’t hamstrung to baseball broadcasting. He is one of Big Ten Network’s premier play-by-play voices for both football and basketball. He’s one of the best young voices in the business and the Twins are very lucky to have him around.

Had they not promoted Provus, I can’t imagine he would have stuck around tag-teaming radio calls with Dan Gladden for much longer.

What other attributes were the Wolves looking for in their next PBP voice? They specifically told media that they wanted somebody whose skin color isn’t white. Well, they checked one of those boxes today when they announced the hiring of YES Network’s sideline reporter and part-time play-by-play commentator, Michael Grady.

YES Network (New York) is, undoubtedly, a larger and better funded local network than Bally Sports North, but Michael Grady isn’t a well-known voice, like some of those who have been floated.

Michael Grady has been named our TV play-by-play announcer with @BallySportsNOR!

Welcome to MN, @Grady! pic.twitter.com/on0jS8GntU

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 18, 2022

Grady has spent the last five seasons with the YES Network, working sideline duty with the Brooklyn Nets. There’s a funny video of an interview he did with D’Angelo Russell in 2019, where he informs DLo after a win that they clinched a playoff spot.

There’s no doubt Grady has a bright future in broadcasting. He has a great voice and, for a youngster, he has really good flow in his commentating. All and all, fans will be happy with Grady as the new voice of the Wolves. Here he is calling the Nets @ Magic last season, when Kyrie Irving went off for 60 points.

Questionable Hiring Practices

But this hire has to call into question the firing of Dave Benz. Not only did the Timberwolves fail in their search for a well-known basketball voice, like Gus Johnson or Kevin Harlan. But they ended up hiring a young sideline reporter who has very little experience announcing NBA games.

In other words, the Wolves fired a 10-year veteran, who NOBODY was complaining about. A guy who the fans loved and had grown with. Afterward, the team told reporters that being a different color than Benz was an important part of the search criteria, when finding his replacement.

As Jon said, this is very much a Wolves decision. I’ve heard aim is someone who also does national work — like Mark Jones with SAC and Mike Breen with NYK. Have also heard they’d like to hire a person of color. Haven’t heard anything on Gus Johnson specifically, but makes sense.

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) August 1, 2022

If hiring a Minnesota Timberwolves play-by-play voice and you compared the resumes and fan excitement for Dave Benz vs Michael Grady, Benz would get the job in a landslide. Unless, of course, you’re making the decision strictly based on a candidate’s skin color. Which, I’m pretty sure is illegal.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan