BREAKING: John Rooney of the St. Louis Cardinals and Brian Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers have been officially added to the ballot for the prestigious 2026 Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting. This announcement comes as the countdown begins to the winner’s reveal on December 10, 2025, during the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida.
The addition of Rooney and Anderson marks an exciting moment for baseball fans as they join returning candidates including Skip Caray, Rene Cardenas, and John Sterling. Notably, Joe Buck makes his return to the ballot after being dropped last year, while Dan Shulman appears for the third time in four years.
This year’s ballot continues the trend of recognizing broadcasters whose careers have spanned the wild card era, which began in 1995. The voting process is particularly significant as it is the last of four consecutive elections focusing on this era. In 2026, the evaluation will shift to pre-wild card broadcasters.
The award ceremony for the winner will take place during the Hall of Fame’s awards presentation on July 25, 2026, one day before the induction ceremonies. A broadcaster must have a minimum of ten continuous years of experience with a network or team to qualify for consideration.
The ballot was meticulously curated by a subcommittee of past winners, including legendary figures like Marty Brennaman and Bob Costas, alongside broadcast historians David J. Halberstam and Curt Smith. Importantly, at least one candidate must be a foreign-language broadcaster, enriching the diversity of the nominees.
Voting will be conducted by a panel of 13 past award winners, ensuring that the selection process reflects the high standards of baseball broadcasting excellence. The anticipation surrounding this announcement is palpable, as fans eagerly await to see who will take home the honor.
Stay tuned for more updates on the 2026 Ford C. Frick Award as the date approaches, and prepare to celebrate the remarkable careers of these dedicated broadcasters who bring the game to life for millions.
