The list of sports media personalities that have used Pawtucket R.I., as a stepping stone is a long one. That list is about to get a little bit longer.
Dan Hoard, the current radio voice of the PawSox, will be leaving Rhode Island at season's end to take over as the radio voice of the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced on Tuesday. Hoard has been the voice of the PawSox since 2006.
"I am proud to continue the tradition of broadcasters who move from McCoy Stadium to the majors — or in this case the NFL," he said. "I'd like to express my sincere thanks to everyone with the PawSox for allowing to be a part of a wonderful organization for the past six seasons. This opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals is a dream come true. I look forward to finishing a great season with the PawSox first before the excitement of football season begins."
As Hoard referenced himself, he becomes the latest in long line of broadcasters who called Pawtucket home before making it big.
Hoard joins the likes of play-by-play announcers such as Gary Cohen, Dave Flemming and Dave Shea who have all made the jump from the minors to the bigs. That list, of course, also includes NESN's Red Sox play-by-play broadcaster Don Orsillo, who made the move from Pawtucket to Boston before the 2001 season.
