PawSox name Will Flemming as a Radio Broadcaster for 2015
The Pawtucket Red Sox have named Will Flemming as a new radio broadcaster for the 2015 season. Will joins Josh Maurer, who returns for his second season, as the duo will broadcast all 144 PawSox games on 920 WHJJ and the 12-station PawSox Radio Network. Flemming was chosen among more than 100 nationwide applicants to replace Jeff Levering who left the PawSox in February to become a radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Will Flemming, 35, has nearly a decade of play-by-play experience in a broad range of sports. He has spent the past three baseball seasons as a play-by-play voice of the Indianapolis Indians (the Triple-A International League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates). Flemming has also called a host of NCAA Championships for Turner Sports over the last three years. Will has broadcast NCAA finals in baseball, hockey, basketball, track and field, soccer and swimming.
During the baseball off-season, Flemming has been the voice of IUPUI men's basketball on television and radio. In addition he has worked as a host and anchor for CBS Radio 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.
After graduating from Stanford - where he was the play-by-play voice for baseball, football, and basketball - Flemming launched his professional career with one season in the California League with the Lancaster JetHawks (the Houston Astros' Single-A affiliate). He then spent two years as a radio broadcaster for the Potomac Nationals (the Washington Nationals Single-A affiliate) before earning the promotion to Triple-A with the Indians in 2012.
Will lives in Washington, D.C. during the baseball off-season with his wife Jennifer. His brother, Dave, is a radio and television broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants and does play-by-play for ESPN College Football and College Basketball. Dave spent three seasons as a radio voice of the PawSox from 2001-2003 before joining the Giants.
While he will be on the air for all 144 PawSox games this season, Will Flemming will also continue the strong tradition of the PawSox blog, PawSox podcast, social media presence, and provide new content to pawsox.com.
"I am truly honored to join the PawSox organization," he said. "From the day I started broadcasting baseball, I dreamed of the day I could become a part of what everyone recognizes as an incredible broadcasting legacy in Pawtucket. I eagerly accept the responsibility that comes with working for such a storied franchise and its loyal fan base, and I'm excited to work alongside my friend Josh Maurer."
"I am deeply indebted to the Indianapolis Indians for the three wonderful years I spent there," Flemming added. "The Schumacher family and the entire organization welcomed me and offered me a life-changing opportunity. Lastly, I owe a particular gratitude to (longtime Indians voice) Howard Kellman; no one could have possibly taught me more about broadcasting and about the wonderful game of baseball than he. He has been a great friend and mentor, and I will be forever thankful for all that he gave me."
The illustrious group of former PawSox broadcasters in the "big leagues" - all of whom have gone directly from Pawtucket to the major leagues - include: Gary Cohen (PawSox radio in 1987 & '88) who has been with the New York Mets ever since leaving the PawSox, Don Orsillo (1997-2000) who will begin his 15th season with the Boston Red Sox on NESN this season, Dave Flemming (2001-2003) who has been a radio voice of the San Francisco Giants for the past 11 years, Andy Freed (2001-2004) who has called Tampa Bay Rays games since leaving Pawtucket, Dave Jageler (2005) who was with the PawSox for just one season before he took over as the Washington Nationals radio voice where he has remained since, Dan Hoard (2006-2011) who earned the call to the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals in the fall of 2011, Aaron Goldsmith (2012) who was one year and done with the PawSox before heading to Seattle where he has been a radio play-by-play man for the Mariners, Bob Socci (2013) who departed from the PawSox in July of 2013 to become the play-by-play voice of the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots (had to throw the Super Bowl part in there), and most recently Jeff Levering (PawSox radio in 2013 & 2014) who earned a radio job with the Milwaukee Brewers this off-season.