It’s one thing to be a TV sportscaster working late nights and sometimes not getting to bed until 2am. It’s another to be a morning news show host and get up at 2am! Such is the life of Ryan Baker, a very popular Chicago sportscaster who made the switch to news host at the CBS affiliate in “the Windy City” in 2019.
So why did he name the move?
“It was a challenge that was presented and a gut thing.” The gut thing was seeing what was happening to sports segments on TV newscasts.
“Nothing’s promised, nothing’s secured.” Baker saw longtime competitor, FOX 32’s Corey McPherrin make the same move. Baker admitted the obvious after making the transition. “The biggest one was waking up when I used to go to bed!”
But Baker, who worked in markets such as Champaign, San Diego and Orlando before landing back in his hometown, remains and avid sports fan, particularly of the University of Illinois where he not only went to school but was the basketball manager.
And he doesn’t mince words when it comes to the transfer portal. When I suggested college basketball is now pro basketball with free agency, Baker readily agreed. “It’s absolutely free agency. You can’t count on a team you can develop. These coaches recruit 12 months out of the year. There’s no off season and that’s ridiculous!”
What isn’t ridiculous is how Baker won over viewers of sports news on TV with his witty writing and enthusiastic delivery. A native of suburban Chicago, Baker won numerous award while working in Orlando but returned home under unfortunate circumstances. He was hired by the NBC affiliate after its sportscaster, Darrian Chapman, died suddenly at the age of 37.
“It was heartbreaking. I had already inquired about working at channel 5 but I was told I wasn’t ready.” But he was eventually hired to replace the late Chapman in 2003 and this is where he met his wife and they now have two beautiful daughters.
Baker had the distinct pleasure of cover two World Series champions in the White Sox and the Cubs and three Stanley Cup champions in the Blackhawks. But he’s settled in nicely with his morning gig giving him more time to spend with family. That’s a trade you really can’t turn down.
“Tell me a story I don’t know” featuring Ryan Baker this week is proud to be part of Sports Events Guide Media Podcast feed And, it is presented by Mr.Duct. (Mr duct cleaning.com)
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