LOS ANGELES (KABC) – The success of the Dodgers’ title run goes beyond just players and coaches. Today, we’re highlighting the man who gets the crowd going at Dodger Stadium, ensuring any opponent feels L.A.’s electric home field advantage.
Baseball fans recognize his deep, commanding voice. Todd Leitz is the man behind the microphone at Dodgers home games. One of his favorite parts of the job is introducing the players. Leitz has served as the team’s public address announcer for eleven seasons.
One of the first people Leitz met after being hired by the Dodgers in 2015 was the legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. “First day, I walked into the press box, first guy I ran into was Vin Scully. I mean, almost bumped right into him, literally,” Leitz recalled.
He says he’ll never forget that day. “I’m like, ‘Well, if you have any tips for me.’ He said, ‘Nonsense, you’re going to be fine.’ Within two sentences, he made me feel recognized, welcomed, encouraged and acknowledged, all in just five or six words,” Leitz said.
Leitz’s primary focus is keeping the crowd’s energy high during games. Some of his favorite memories have come during World Series games, including last year’s championship season.
“Obviously, Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam—I’ve never heard the stadium erupt like that. I’ve never heard our booth and our crew erupt with such glee,” Leitz said. “Just the other day, watching Shohei Ohtani strike out ten batters over six innings and hit three home runs, including one that went practically out of the stadium. I mean, you just don’t see that kind of stuff.”
Leitz also has a large collection of Dodgers memorabilia, including championship rings. He hopes to be adding another one to the collection this year.
“I want to see the Dodgers clinch the World Series title at Dodger Stadium for the first time since 1963,” he said.
https://abc7.com/post/fan-favorite-public-address-announcer-brings-energy-dodger-stadium/18075582/