MICK GILLISPIE NAMED MINOR LEAGUE BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR BY BALLPARK DIGEST

SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE - Ballpark Digest announced on Monday that Mick Gillispie of the Tennessee Smokies has been named the Minor League Broadcaster of the Year for the 2017 season. Gillispie is the 'Voice of the Smokies' and has assumed the role for 10 years, with his first year as the lead broadcaster of the club coming in 2007. Alongside Gillispie, Howard Kellman of the Indianapolis Indians is also a recipient of this year's Broadcaster of the Year Award. Ballpark Digest has selected the two broadcasters due to their importance for their franchise and community with their talent at sharing the call of the game with their faithful, avid listeners. 
Veteran broadcaster Mick Gillispie is renowned through his work with the Chicago Cubs. Since the 2011 season, Gillispie has handled play-by-play and produced Chicago Cubs' spring training games on MLB.com. Mick is also a contributor to CSN-Chicago where his interviews, play-by-play calls and packages have been routinely featured.
"There's no doubt Mick is deserving of this award," said Ballpark Digest Publisher Kevin Reichard. "He calls a great game, and he's also an excellent student of the game. He combines a passion for baseball history with a notable work ethic and a genuine talent for broadcasting."
Mick Gillispie provides Smokies fans with an in-depth and detailed play-by-play breakdown of the game, making the game come to life on-air. Gillispie has had the opportunity to make calls featuring many current Cubs greats who have come through the organization in recent years including Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Kyle Hendricks, Kyle Schwarber, and many more. 
"This is such an honor to receive this award," added Smokies Broadcaster Mick Gillispie. "I want to thank the Smokies front office and President Chris Allen, my 2017 broadcast partner Charlie Walter plus our entire Smokies Broadcast staff and Cubs Voice Len Kasper, the Ballpark Digest team and everyone involved with the entire Smokies organization. I wouldn't be receiving this award without Pat Hughes critiquing my work after each season, and leading me in the right direction. I would also like to remember Chuck Thompson, he was my mentor and friend. I grew up idolizing him and Jon Miller on Baltimore Orioles radio, plus watching the Cubs' Harry Caray and Steve Stone on WGN-TV and was truly Inspired by them all growing up listening to their amazing work. I would also like to congratulate Howard on receiving this award as well, as it is an honor to receive this honor alongside such a prestigious broadcaster. I am absolutely blown away as I believe this is the best honor you can receive as a Minor League broadcaster. Most importantly-Thank you to all of the Smokies and Cubs fans that have listened throughout the years, as this would not be possible without you! No question the best in baseball!"
Gillispie also played a big part in Bear Trax, a television show that focuses on an inside look of Smokies Baseball. Gillispie and Charlie Walter took fans on a journey through the Southern League with ballpark tours, exclusive player interviews, and special feature stories throughout the course of the 2017 season. 
"We are extremely excited that Mick has received the honor of 2017 Minor League Broadcaster of the Year" stated Smokies President and COO Chris Allen. "Mick shows up to the ballpark each and every day with an unbelievable amount of energy and determination. He takes his job very seriously, and this is why he is deserving of an award of this stature. We are extremely lucky to have somebody as talented as Mick as a part of our organization."
Gillispie is also a host of the very popular 'Tide Tailgate Show' and 'Tide Post Game Live'. The pre-game and post-game shows on Tide102.9 FM accompany Alabama Crimson Tide football on the official Flagship radio station.
Mick can be seen on the SEC Network an ESPN subsidiary broadcasting games. This includes covering a verity of sports and events such as Men's Basketball and Baseball.
This is Gillispie's first time receiving this prestigious award from Ballpark Digest. Gillispie was previously awarded with the Southern League Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2010.  
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.