McCarthy takes the next step in broadcasting
By: Bob Nuse
Tom McCarthy is living proof that good things happen to good people.
McCarthy, the play-by-play voice of the Princeton University football and men’s basketball programs for the past six years, is heading to the big-time. And in doing so, he’s getting a chance to live out his dream.
They don’t come much nicer than Tom McCarthy in the sports journalism business. He got his start as a reporter with the Trenton Times before landing a job with the Trenton Thunder when the team began operating in 1994.
Being part of the Thunder front office seemed to be the ideal job for McCarthy, but deep down the passion for radio and television ran deep. He started as the play-by-play voice of the Thunder, then moved on to include Princeton University. He left the Thunder front office a year and a half ago to add the duties of hosting his own show on ESPN Radio (1680-AM) to his duties.
As he made his gradual climb towards the big-time, it was always neat to see where you’d see or hear Tom next. One night it would be hosting the nightly sports show on CN8, the next it might be hosting a Game Night segment on ESPN Radio from the home office in Bristol. With that, he was going national.
But now, the Trenton State College graduate has landed the next dream job. Beginning this season, he will host the pre-game and post-game shows for the Philadelphia Phillies on WPHT 1210-AM. Tom McCarthy has landed himself a spot in the majors.
"It’s very exciting," said McCarthy, who will be at Yale tonight broadcasting the Princeton men’s basketball game. "I filled in some last September when Scott Graham was out and Harry Kalas was on another assignment. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. Leaving the Thunder was tough when I did that, but I felt like it was the right thing to do."
It looks like each move McCarthy has made has paid off. In his new role with the Phillies he’ll be at Veterans Stadium for all the home games, where he’ll host the pre-game and post-game shows. When the Phils are on the road, he’ll do his job from the studio. He is basically taking over the role of Graham, who has taken on more play-by-play responsibilities this season.
"I’m really looking forward to it," McCarthy said. "With the off chance that someone can’t be there, there might also be the opportunity to do some play-by-play. They’re such a great group of guys to work with. I’m looking forward to learning from Harry Kalas and the rest of those guys. The Phillies are such a great organization. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with Harry and Scott. And Andy Musser and Chris Wheeler are such great guys.
"This is like a dream come true for me."
Actually, it’s a step closer to the ultimate dream of doing Major League play-by-play. And with each step he takes, McCarthy gets a little closer to that dream.