Q & A with Paul Olden—the Voice of Yankee Stadium

Deal with the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. Survive an epic tirade from Tommy Lasorda. Replace the ‘Voice of God’. It’s all in a day’s work for Paul Olden.

The former Spokane Indians radio broadcaster has crafted an unforgettable career highlighted by a dozen consecutive Super Bowls, Wade Boggs’ 3,000^th career hit, a World Series title, and stops in Las Vegas, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, New York, and of course, the Inland Northwest.

Born in Chicago but raised in L.A., Olden always wanted to be involved in the world of sports. Like so many though, he quickly realized that it would not be his athletic talents that would take him to the big leagues. Instead, a resilient Paul pivoted to broadcasting, acquiring a small tape recorder and honing his craft at USC baseball games.

It wasn’t long after graduating from Los Angeles City College with a degree in Broadcast Journalism that Olden had his famous encounter with another Indians alum – Tommy Lasorda. Olden, then a reporter at Los Angeles radio station KLAC, asked Lasorda for his thoughts on the three-homer performance of Chicago’s Dave Kingman in the Cubs’ 10-7 win that day (May 14, 1978).

Just looking for a short quote to wrap up his reporting, what Olden received from Lasorda instead was a profanity-laced outburst that has earned a spot among the all-time greats (we can’t reprint the tirade here, but curious ears can track it down on YouTube). The two eventually made up, with Lasorda sending Olden an autographed photo on his birthday with the inscription, “What’s my opinion of you turning 50? What do you think is my opinion of it?”.

Following his time in Los Angeles, Olden was hired by Spokane Indians owner Larry Koentopp to announce games with Jim Price and serve in a public relations role with the team. He ended up spending three memorable seasons (1980-82) with the Indians – no small feat considering he had the team’s uniforms stolen from his rental car the day after Mount St. Helens erupted just months into his new job.

After wrapping up his tenure in the Inland Northwest, Paul followed the franchise to Las Vegas (where they would become the Stars) before eventually reaching the big leagues and working for the California Angels, Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay Rays, and most famously, the New York Yankees. The versatile broadcaster also sprinkled in stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and New Jersey Nets.

We recently caught up with Paul to discuss his memories from Spokane, career highlights, and what it’s like replacing ‘The Voice of God’:

Did you grow up a Yankees fan or were you a Dodgers diehard spending your childhood in Los Angeles?

I grew up an L.A. sports fan of all the teams. But I also for some unknown reason rooted for the Jets, Knicks, and Yankees. I guess New York teams had an aura I thought was cool and they always seemed to be on TV ... especially the Yankees being depicted in so many movies that were always on.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in broadcasting?

When I was 15 - a washout on playing team sports for lack of talent - I decided to be an announcer so I could be involved that way. So, I bought a small tape recorder and started practicing play by play off TV games and going to USC baseball games (years later became the PA announcer for Trojans' baseball) and sitting in the stands "broadcasting" the game into my tape recorder.

How did you wind up working for the Spokane Indians?

I was sending tapes to various teams who were looking for announcers and the Spokane owner and President, Larry Koentopp got my tape in the mail. But I accidentally put the Portland GM's name (David Hersch) on the envelope (and Larry's name on the Portland package). Larry's wondered who would make such a mistake and opened the parcel containing my tape and resume. The cover letter was addressed correctly. Apparently, he was so impressed with my tape, he hired me in 1980 at age 26 to announce games with Jim Price and do PR work (it probably helped that I had an on-the-air audition with the Chicago White Sox when I was 21. I had responded to a newspaper item saying the team was looking for "a qualified Black announcer.”)

You were born in Chicago and grew up in Los Angeles. What were your impressions of Spokane and the Northwest when you arrived?

I didn't know what to expect when I got to Spokane. Of course, I was well aware of the city connections to many of my favorite Dodgers since they all came through there. It was my first time away from home. I warmed to Spokane immediately since that was the place where I got my big break to announce baseball on a regular basis. The winter weather took some getting used to, however!

You spent three seasons in Spokane with the Indians - what are some of the best memories from your time here? Have you been back to Spokane since? Do you keep in touch with anyone from your time here?

I was there in 1980, 81 and 82 doing the play by play on KHQ radio. After the team moved to Las Vegas in 1983, I stayed and continued doing sports and news at KXLY-TV4 until I was coaxed to rejoin the franchise in Vegas by Mr. Koentopp ("It doesn't snow here ... " was part of his pitch as I recall.) My best memories are connected to being with a team of - like me - aspiring Major Leaguers. Being on the field, or in the clubhouse and the bus/plane trips was so much fun. After I moved to Vegas in 1984

I still came back to Spokane to visit in the following years. I would train up from Vegas. But that eventually stopped. I did fly back in 2017 to have a reunion with the KXLY sports team of Bud Nameck, Rick Lukens and Dennis Patchin (who was hired to replace when I left Ch4 for Las Vegas.) Some of the few remaining 80's Ch4 alums joined us. The trip coincided with one of my favorite bands playing in Spokane, Alter Bridge, led by Spokane raised Myles Kennedy (who says he remembered me on TV when he was a kid.) So it was a fun trip. And thanks to Facebook, I'm still in touch with several former KXLY-TV4 colleagues. I have fond memories of the period of my life spent in Spokane.

You were in the area for the eruption of Mount St. Helens - what was that experience and the aftermath like?

The Mt St Helens eruption pretty much killed our season with low attendance and me almost getting fired in my first season when I had the team uniforms stolen from my rental car in Seattle the day after the eruption. We were due to come home after ending our road trip in Vancouver B.C. But since Spokane was closed due to volcanic dust, the Mariners - our parent team - put us up in a Tacoma hotel til further notice. The uniforms were washed at the Kingdome and since I had a car, I offered to take them back to the hotel (but that I might stop for a beer before I got there). I did stop - right up the street from the hotel at a joint called My Place. It was while I was occupied that the theft occurred. Meanwhile we were ordered to go to Odgen, Utah to continue the schedule of games and the Indians wore Ogden road uniforms. Luckily our gear was ditched in a Tacoma school yards on Thursday of eruption week and my job was safe.

You were also the victim of another eruption - former Spokane Indians manager Tommy Lasorda's famous tirade about Dave Kingman – when working as a reporter in Los Angeles. Did you and Tommy ever talk about it afterwards?

Lasorda and I remained pals after 'the tape' and it was business as usual for me in asking tough questions.

You worked a dozen consecutive Super Bowls as public address announcer - what was that experience like? Do you have one Super Bowl that stands out in your mind?

The Super Bowls (12 in a row starting in 1994) were great fun as I spent the whole week leading up to the game in the Super Bowl city. My favorite Super Bowl was 49ers QB Steve Young winning his first in 1995. 49 to 26 over the Chargers in Miami.

What was it like replacing someone known as 'The Voice of God'?

Following Bob Sheppard was a pleasure and less nerve-wracking since I knew him very well from my first stint as a TV announcer for the Yankees in the 90's. So the transition was smooth.

You won a World Series in your first full season with the Yankees - would you consider that the highlight of your professional career?

Anytime you can get a World Series ring is a professional highlight. My only other championship ring came with the 1986 Las Vegas Stars. And calling Wade Boggs 3,000th hit was another professional highlight in 1999.

How did you shift your style from play-by-play to working as the p.a. announcer? Do you feel like you are allowed to be more of a fan now?

Doing P.A. is so much easier than play by play as I just have to get the names pronounced right and pay attention to the changes thru out the game. I don't miss the traveling that play by play called for. Yes, it's much easier to root for the Yankees (as long as my mic is not on!)

You developed into an avid runner in your 60s - how did this develop and what has been the most satisfying part of your new hobby?

I've cut way back on my running due to some various leg injuries. But at my peak, being podium competitive in my 60's was very satisfying since I was always last or near it in the High School track years.

What's on your running playlist?

I still love 80's music as it reminds of my Spokane years.

Any other hobbies away from the ballpark? What keeps you busy during the off-season?

Photography is my passion these days. I have two IG scrolls: psopix and nyypaguy. One is for dogs and the other for everything else.

Favorite thing about living in New York? What is one thing you would recommend everyone do when they visit the Big Apple?

I live in Brooklyn when I am in NYC. Must take in a Broadway show when visiting. And Christmas time is another highlight. I go each December, otherwise I'm in St Petersburg, FL.

Any advice to someone that wants to pursue a career in broadcasting/announcing?

Just work hard, don't take no for an answer and learn to write. Oh, and practicing your craft is important. I still record myself for quality control purposes even after 50+ years in the game.

ABOUT THE SPOKANE INDIANS

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane Valley, Wash., and play at Avista Stadium home of the MultiCare Kids Bench Seat and Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Military & Veteran Ticket. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Office and Team Store hours are 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Fridays. On game days, the Office and Team Store are open from 10:00 a.m. through the end of the game.