Longtime Cardinals and Bally Sports Midwest play-by-play broadcaster Dan McLaughlin resigned from his television position Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in suburban St. Louis on Dec. 4.
McLaughlin, a St. Louis native, has been behind the microphone calling big moments for the Cardinals for the past 24 years. He got his start while working alongside and later replacing Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck, and has repeatedly said that calling Cardinals games was the job he always dreamed of landing. McLaughlin's departure was described as a mutual decision in prepared statements distributed by the Cardinals, Bally Sports and McLaughlin on Thursday.
“Dan McLaughlin will not be returning as the Cardinals' television play-by-play announcer at Bally Sports Midwest,” a joint statement from the Cardinals and Bally Sports said. “Dan has been the voice of memorable Cardinals moments for 24 years. We thank him for his contributions to Cardinals baseball, Cardinals fans and his many philanthropic endeavors.”
“I have spent the last few days thinking about my next steps toward my health and the well-being of my family and myself,” McLaughlin said in his statement. “I have come to the conclusion that my only focus should be my recovery, which I have started, and my wife and children. As a result, I am stepping down from my duties at Bally's Sports Midwest. Thanks to all the people at Bally's for their support over the years and I wish them the best. As I proceed, I ask for your patience and your privacy. Thanks. God bless.”
Neither the Cardinals nor Bally Sports have provided any timelines or details on the process that will take place in finding a replacement at the play-by-play position. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 12, while position players must arrive by Feb. 15.
McLaughlin, 48, was convicted of drunken driving in 2010 and '11. A potential third conviction could trigger a “persistent offender” order that would make the charged offense a Class E felony, punishable by a maximum of four years in prison.
