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Orioles Seeking A New Voice For Their Team

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- It's been said: Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

Keep that in mind as we join Mike Schuh at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with a once in a lifetime job opportunity.

An entire generation only knew Rex Barney as the voice at Camden Yards. After his death in 1997, Dave McGowan won an open audition 14 years ago. But unlike what you might think.

For most folks, being the P.A. Announcer doesn't pay enough for it to be their only job.

"It is an hourly position, so it's not something you're going to retire off of," explained Monica Barlow, director of Public Relations for the Baltimore Orioles.

Recently, McGowan changed jobs from being a salesman with very flexible hours to a 9 to 5 job. And reluctantly, he resigned the coveted post. Now, the best seat in the house is empty.

"We need a public address announcer," Barlow said.

But funny men, clowns, cheerleaders might want to pass on this opportunity.

"This is a traditional ball park and we want to keep that atmosphere and we want someone who will compliment the atmosphere rather than someone who is trying to set the tone," Barlow said.

If you want to be heard here, you have to log on. The first cut comes after an audition at the Orioles website.

"And ultimately the applicants will be called in for a try out here at Camden Yards," Barlow said.

Fewer than 10 finalists will make it here to the actual audition.

"It's a tough job," Barlow said.

The Orioles stress the most important thing, the most important thing is availability. There are 81 home games, makeups and doubleheaders and you have to be here for ever single one of them, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The audition script can be found on the Orioles website. They stop listening to auditions on January 25.

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