Controversy at Coors Field?

The Colorado Rockies recently announced Ryan Saunders as their new Public Address Announcer for Coors Field. But it appears the Rockies knew they were going to hire Saunders before they even put the ad on their website or planned their media-frenzied contest. So why did the Rockies spend all the time and effort with their contest when it had no bearing on whom they were going to hire?

It started out a simple "submit your CD and resume to become the next 'Voice of Coors Field.'" That seems normal for any hiring process. But here's where it gets interesting and, yes, controversial. After reviewing the 300-plus submissions, they whittled it down to the best 19 and had them come to a sports bar to audition in front of a crowd and a panel of judges. The best three were to be put on the Rockies' website to let the fans decide the "next Voice of Coors Field." As a big-time Rockies fan, I had to come watch! After the first round at it was down to 10 contestants. After the next round, it was pretty obvious who the best three to go to the fans' vote should be. And, yes, Saunders was probably in that group. But was he the best? Not even close. There were a couple of guys who really stood out but didn't make the cut. Instead, Jim Hudson and Conor McGahey joined Saunders (who didn't even have the best audition!). Hudson is a local TV personality who fumbled through his auditions and McGahey is a 22-year old D.U. student who dropped down his voice two octaves and was barely coherent in half of what he was saying.

So why weren't the best three in the final group? The group that was to be judged by the Rockies' fans on the website? And why instead were they replaced with two that were obviously less impressive than Saunders? Because the Rockies wanted to hire Saunders all along. Ryan Saunders works in sales for Coors Brewing Company and is the son of Steve Saunders who is The Sponsorship Director and Event Marketing Director for Coors. His father probably helped him get his first job at Coors Brewing and certainly influenced him getting his first job at Coors Field. The Rockies knew if Saunders were put on the Internet along side some real competitors, it would be too obvious that something was fishy. So they found a couple of guys that would make the contest's winner seem more believable.

I'm sure the Rockies will be happy with their "New Voice of Coors Field." After all, he was already in the family. And I did find it odd when I walked around and viewed all the nervous contestants adorned with their purple audition passes, that Saunders seemed by far the most relaxed. Even doing shots with his friends before going up for his audition. He seemed to know something we didn't. I'm sure he's a nice kid and does have experience stadium announcing. But the truth be told, there are a couple of guys in Denver right now who certainly deserve more to be sitting in that booth come April 2nd. I guess the Rockies got the media attention they wanted and got Denver once again talking about the team. But the fans probably didn't get what they really deserved.

Leo Leyden Denver, CO

To the budding conspiracy-theorist,

Aw jesus, guy, cry me a river. While your response is moderately well-worded, you seem to have trouble gaining credibility in the reader's eye. Allow me to demonstrate.

When publicly criticizing someone, be they journalist, celebrity, politician or otherwise, it is always good to have your facts in line. A good place to start, perhaps, would be the name of the criticizee in question. If you can't get that right, well, you might just suck. At life.

The guy who won is one "Reed" Saunders. Ryan Saunders was not available for comment, as he is still clinging to life having only eaten some stale chee-tos and half a ball-gag since his internment in your clown-themed basement dungeon six weeks ago.

Reed Saunders may work for Coors, but it's not like Coors owns the Rockies, or makes any decisions for them. They are a sponsor, just like coke, just like king soopers, just like some guy's smelly fertilizer company. To think that a mid-level marketing guy within the huge infrastructure of coors could pull those kind of strings within a big MLB organization, well, that's the stuff of science fiction, buddy. Watch out for his green diamond-laser eyes, Captain Leydenwalker!

I saw a Colorado Eagles game not too far back and their announcer had the crowd going nuts. Also the Eagles were stomping the crap out of the competition. Either way, the guy has a solid voice, and it's not his fault that whoever you liked didn't even make the final cut, let alone win.

Hey! did you hear how Cayton-Holland got that job as the funnyman at Westword? His mom worked as a cafeteria lunchlady, at the school where Westword's publisher's kid goes! Bitch is dishin' out extra chicken nuggets! Get 'em, Leo!

Speaking of needing to get your facts straight, Karl!

Coors does own the Rockies...hence the name on the door...Coors Field! DUH!

from the Rockies wesite....

Ownership Group
Linda G. Alvarado
Clear Channel Communications
Lee Larson
Coors Brewing Co.
Peter Coors
Denver Newspaper Agency
Beverage Distributors Corp.
Marne Obernauer Sr.
Marne Obernauer Jr.

So before you berate, get YOUR shit straight!!