Kent Westling announces resignation
Westling broadcast the very first Red Barons game on April 6, 1989 in Rochester, NY and has since been behind the microphone for more than 2,600 games.
"After 19 years as the play-by-play broadcaster for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, I've accomplished all I set out originally to do." Westling said. "Now, I would like to focus on a new professional challenge; one that allows me to spend more time with my wife and daughter. Therefore, I've decided the 2007 season will be my final one."
"It has been a privilege for me to represent our area in the International League since 1989, and hopefully I have done so with dignity, class and respect our franchise and our fans deserve."
'We wish Kent all the best in his life after baseball," said Yankees Executive VP/COO Jeremy Ruby. "Kent has been an important part of the success of this franchise. His wonderful ability to call a game and his in depth knowledge of baseball made listening to games a joy to countless numbers of fans. He will surely be missed and a hard person to replace."
Prior to joining the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he held a variety of positions in the sports and media world. From 1978-1980 he was a sports and news broadcaster for KDNL TV in St. Louis, MO. Some of his duties included play-by-play for the St. Louis Blues hockey team.
In 1980 he moved to northeastern Pennsylvania, landing a job as the Sports Director for WDAU channel 22. In 1984 he was selected the favorite local sportscaster by a Scranton Times reader's poll.
From 1987 until joining the Red Barons in 1989, he was a sports announcer for WARM radio.
While in NEPA, Kent also found time to call the action for the University of Scranton Men's Basketball team (1990-1995), Wilkes University Basketball (1996-2004) and Wilkes Football (1994-1998).
He is married (Debbie) and has one daughter (Kendra) and currently resides in Olyphant, PA.