Blue Jays: Joe Siddall drawing rave reviews for his broadcast booth work

The Blue Jays have been must-watch TV over the past week. But not just because of the tremendous run of five wins in six games, including the recently-concluded three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox.

It's the work of Joe Siddall as the analyst in the broadcast booth next to Dan Shulman that's also drawing rave reviews from fans and media alike watching on the tube this past week.

The 55-year-old Siddall was first employed by the Blue Jays in 2014, when he joined the radio booth, at the urging of Jays radio legend Jerry Howarth. Jack Morris had just quit his job on the radio team with Howarth after one season, but Jerry knew of Siddall's desire to get into the broadcast business.

The Windsor, Ontario-born Siddall spent parts of four seasons catching in the big leagues, with the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers. The background was there, the Canadiana was a checkmark, and then hearing Siddall's smooth and informative delivery convinced the powers-that-be to give him a chance.

After four years in the radio booth, he was shifted to the TV broadcast, replacing Gregg Zaun at the desk on Blue Jays Central. His abilities in that role have been lauded as well, as he won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Sports Analysis or Commentary in 2022. He still serves in those duties, but when Buck Martinez went on vacation this past week, Siddall was summoned to the seat in the broadcast booth next to legendary play-by-play man Dan Shulman. And to say he's been a good fit would be an understatement.

Siddall immediately captivated audiences with his ability to provide insightful, engaging commentary, while doing it with a smooth, friendly, pleasing-to-the-ear conversational voice.

As is so often the case with former catchers, Siddall has a keen eye for strategy. What also makes him special is his knack for explaining the thought processes behind what's happening on the field—for example, what's going on in a batter's head during an at-bat, or why a fielder is reacting in a certain way.

Seated next to Shulman, a multi-time award-winner himself, it's obvious why this broadcasting double-play has Jays' fans all abuzz.