Page 426 - 2021 ATL Media Guide

2021 BRAVES BROADCASTERS
FRONT OFFICE JIM POWELL Braves Radio Network

• The 2021 Major League Baseball season marks
Powell’s 28th as a Major League broadcaster and • While in Columbia he
worked extensively for
his 13th year in the Atlanta Braves radio booth. the University of South
Carolina Gamecocks
• He spent the previous 13 seasons as a member of
MANAGERS & COACHES • In January of 2020, Powell was inducted into the contributor to football,
and was an integral
the Milwaukee Brewers broadcast team, teaming
up with Hall-of-Famer Bob Uecker longer than any
basketball, and
other broadcaster in Uecker’s illustrious career.
baseball broadcasts..Powell was named the NSMA
South Carolina Sportscaster of the Year in 1990,
Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame,
1991, and 1995.
joining former Braves’ broadcasters Ernie Johnson,
Pete Van Wieren, and Skip Caray in achieving that • In 1991, Powell was hired by WSB-AM to work
honor. weekends, where he covered the Braves, Georgia
Bulldogs, and Atlanta Falcons for two years...He
PLAYER BIOS • Powell joined the Brewers and WTMJ Radio in also worked for CBS Radio, including calling the
1996 and was named the 1998 NSMA (National
Sun Bowl, and called numerous college football
Sports Media Association) Wisconsin Sportscaster
of the Year...In addition to his radio duties, he spent games on television for Host Communications.
time as a member of the Brewers television team • He and his wife Emmy, who have been married for
during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. 33 years, are active members of their community,
supporting numerous charities such as the
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT with the Minnesota Twins and WCCO Radio in (CAP) Fund, Jungle Kids for Christ, the Dunamis
• He began his Major League broadcasting career
Rally Foundation, the Child Abuse Prevention
a reserve role in 1993 and 1994...Prior to this, he
Foundation, Camp Kudzu, UGA Miracle, Make a
accumulated extensive experience at the minor-
Miracle, and local youth athletic programs. He
league level, serving as play-by-play announcer
for the Charlotte Knights (1990-91, 1995) and the
is also an avid tennis player.
Columbia Mets (1987-89, 1993-94). spends his winters coaching youth basketball and
• A native of Roswell, Ga., Powell attended the
• Powell started his broadcasting career with an
2017 SEASON REVIEW WGST-AM while he was in high school..He then He and Emmy have three daughters, Allie, Sabrina,
University of Georgia as a National Merit Scholar.
internship in the newsroom and sports office at
and Julia.
worked at WRFC and WUOG in Athens while
attending the University of Georgia, followed
by positions in Columbia, South Carolina, with
WOLO-TV and then WVOC radio.
BRAVES HISTORY joe simpson Braves Radio Network • He had his best season
• Simpson is in his 30th season as a Braves
broadcaster...He was inducted into the Atlanta
Braves Hall of Fame on January 27, 2018. in 1979, when he hit
.283 in 120 games for
• The 2021 season will see Simpson continue his the Mariners.
role as an analyst on radio broadcasts this season, • Simpson worked as an
analyst on Seattle Mariners telecasts for five years
and he also spent 15 campaigns calling games on
OPPONENTS • He played professionally for 11 seasons, beginning • Named “Georgia Sports Broadcaster of the Year”
Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast.
before joining Turner Sports in 1992.
in 1973 when he was drafted by the Los Angeles in 1995.
Dodgers in the third round. • A native of Norman, Okla., he was an All-American
• Simpson joined the Seattle Mariners in 1979 before outfielder and first baseman at the University of
being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1983... Oklahoma.
MISCELLANEOUS 426 2021 ATLANTA BRAVES MEDIA GUIDE • Joe and his wife Kathy live in Marietta, Ga...
An outfielder and first baseman throughout his
professional career, he retired from the California
They have two children, Meg and Gabe, and one
Angels organization following the 1984 season.
grandson.