Blue Jays radio broadcaster Ben Wagner let go after 6 seasons with the ballclub 

For those that have gotten used to the electric voice of Ben Wagner for Toronto Blue Jays games on the radio the past few seasons, it may be time to start preparing yourselves for a new voice in town for the upcoming 2024 MLB season. News broke out from Rogers Sportsnet on Wednesday that they have parted ways with Wagner after his six successful seasons at the helm of Jays’ radio broadcasting.

Prior to landing his everyday gig with the Jays big league squad, Wagner was the play-by-play voice of the Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons in parts of 11 seasons. When the long-time favourite voice of the Blue Jays Jerry Howarth officially announced his retirement from broadcasting, Wagner was hired to take over as the Jays’ full-time announcer starting the 2018 MLB season.

Throughout his tenure as the team’s main play-by-play man, Wagner encountered various challenges along the way. These included having to call some games remotely when the Jays played on the road, as well as being forced to work solo at times without a fellow colour commentator. Even when he was finally given partners to work with, they were constantly rotated in and out with no set partnership in sight to develop any form of chemistry between the two voices.

But some how and some way, the incumbent Wagner maintained his professionalism, motivation and optimism throughout the whole process, while providing years of joy and excitement to Jays’ radio fans everywhere. As a result, the sudden release of Wagner may have come as a surprise to many of the Jays’ faithful, given all the hard work and dedication he had put into his work despite the ever-changing circumstances in his working environment.

Details on who will become his potential replacement will be announced at a later date in early 2024. Nevertheless, we take this opportunity to wish Wagner all the best with his future endeavors as he will be sorely missed.