Royals announce radio team

Kansas City -- The Kansas City Royals today announced their broadcasters for the 2008 season headlined by Denny Matthews returning for his 40th season as the Royals play-by-play announcer. The 2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner will be joined by 11-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year, Bob Davis, who will make a full-time move to the radio booth after 11 seasons as the television voice of Royals baseball.

The duo will be joined in 2008 by veteran play-by-play announcer Steve Stewart, who will host the pre and post-game shows on the Royals Radio Network, as well as call the action on selected games throughout the year. Ryan Lefebvre, who was announced earlier today as the lead voice for Fox Sports Net telecasts of Royals baseball, will also provide the play-by-play call on radio when he is not on television.

"We feel extremely fortunate to be able to deliver to Royals fans a Hall of Fame announcer in Denny Matthews, and one of the most highly decorated announcers in the region in Bob Davis," said Mike Swanson, Royals' Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting. "We are also thrilled that Steve Stewart has joined us, providing play-by-play as well as anchoring the pre and post-game portions of our broadcasts."

Stewart joins the Royals broadcast team from Cincinnati, where he partnered with another Ford C. Frick Award winner, Marty Brennaman from 2004-2006. Prior to Cincinnati, Steve spent parts of four seasons describing the action of the Baltimore Orioles. A St. Louis native, Stewart also provided play-by-play for the Cardinals during a portion of the 2002 season. His broadcasting career began in 1981 calling SMU football and basketball on KSMU in Dallas. He also has four seasons of minor league play-by-play experience (Calgary and Richmond).

"The hiring of Steve completed an extensive search in which we targeted a talent who not only brought Major League play-by-play experience, but is also a student of the game and provides terrific insight to the history of baseball," added Swanson. "Our plan is to add the dynamic of more pre and post-game interviews, and Steve will be a huge asset in those aspects of the broadcast."

2008 marks the first of a five-year agreement with Entercom-Kansas City, with the majority of the broadcasts to be heard on 610 Sports (KCSP-AM), while Sunday games will be available on News Radio 980 (KMBZ-AM).