PRESS RELEASE – The Billings Mustangs have hired Joe Block — the current radio studio host of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets — to handle the play-by-play duties for the Mustangs in 2010.
Block takes over for Ed Cohen, who spent the last two seasons as the Mustangs broadcasting director.
“Joe is a talented young broadcaster and brings a wealth of baseball knowledge and play-by-play experience with him to Billings,” said Mustangs General Manager Gary Roller. “He a professional in every sense of the word and will represent not only the Billings Mustangs, but the city of Billings with the utmost class and integrity both on and off the radio. His broadcasts are insightful, informative and entertaining.
“We believe that Joe is an excellent fit for our organization and look forward to working with him on a daily basis this season,” Roller said.
Block anchors the pre-game, halftime and post-game studio shows for the New Orleans Hornets Radio Network. He also serves as the backup play-by-play voice and contributes to the TV pre-game show. In addition to his work with the Hornets, Block calls football, basketball and baseball play-by-play for regional TV networks Comcast Sports Southeast and Cox Sports Television.
“I’m thrilled to be coming to Billings. I really enjoy calling baseball – it’s a passion of mine, and I hope Mustangs fans hear that in my voice this summer,” Block said. “Gary Roller and I have been acquaintances for some time and I know he and his staff put on an entertaining show night in and night out and I hope to add to their terrific presentation.”
Block, 32, a native of Roseville, Mich., is a graduate of Michigan State University. Prior to his work in the NBA, Block hosted “The Block Party,” and other shows at 50,000-watt all-sports 1010XL in Jacksonville, Fla. He has called play-by-play for more than 800 professional baseball games, including stints with the Montreal Expos, Jacksonville Suns, St. Paul Saints and Great Falls White Sox.
The Billings Mustangs 2010 Pioneer League Season gets underway with a four-game homestand with the Great Falls Voyagers that starts on June 21 at Dehler Park.
The Mustangs are currently selling season tickets for the 2010 campaign. For more information call the Mustangs at 406-252-1241 or visit http://www.billingsmustangs.com.
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