You might remember, not long after the Ricketts family bought the Cubs, then-PA announcer Paul Friedman departed the scene.
The Cubs held an open-audition contest to fill the spot, and Andrew Belleson, then 24 years old, won the position. He’s done a good job over the past decade, and now he’s moving on:
Thank you, @Cubs fans!!!! pic.twitter.com/IQotzp93Zf
— Andrew Belleson (@ChicagoCubsPA) March 9, 2021
We are just 23 days until Opening Day. Here are the Cubs’ current plans for the spot:
Just mentioned on ESPN 1000. Cubs looking for a new PA announcer. Might have celebrities do it in April. They are taking suggestions. Bill Murray anyone? Andrew Belleson, great kid, leaving to pursue some broadcast opportunities. They'll look for a full time replacement soon
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 9, 2021
Now, Bill Murray would be hilarious, but would he give all the information fans need? I guess perhaps we’ll find out!
I suspect the Cubs might wind up having another open competition for the PA position; I have no inside knowledge about this, just my speculation. I suppose perhaps they could get Wayne Messmer, who did the job for many years, to fill in from time to time.
In any case, thanks to Andrew Belleson for a decade in this spot (where did that time go?) and I wish him well in his endeavors going forward.