I'm pissed. I just learned that Paul Godfrey fired long time public address announcer Murray Eldon.
I've never attended a Blue Jays game without hearing Eldon's sweet voice announcing the batters. If I close my eyes I can still hear his signature deliveries for Damaso Garcia, Willie Upshaw, Alfredo Griffin, Tony Fernandez and Jesse Barfield. In the 90s, you knew you were home when he announced Roberto Alomar, Paul Molitor and John Olerud. As much as Tom Cheek and Jerry Howarth represent the sound of Blue Jays baseball on the radio, Eldon is the sound of Blue Jays baseball at the old Exhibition Stadium and Skydome. Now, he's been told his services are no longer required.
First, they took the "blue" out of the Blue Jays by redesigning the uniform so there's no sign of the word "Toronto", no maple leaf and no "blue". Then, they renamed Skydome, another sure sign that they care very little for the history of this franchise. And now, they've done away with their excellent public address announcer of 27 years to move in a different direction. I'm sure the new voice will be edgy and hip and awful.
We need Murray Eldon now more than ever. We need to retain a semblance of our glorious past, years when we were annual contenders, winning pennants and filling the dome. We must not alienate the die hard fans, those who have loved Blue Jays baseball for years.
I already miss Eldon, but I have 27 years of memories to get me through many a future summer. Now batting for your Toronto Blue Jays, #1, Murray Eldon.
