Check out the finalists in MLB Network Radio’s second ‘Fan Call of the Month’ contest

SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio launched the second installment of its three-part series of ‘Fan Call of the Month’ contests — and now we’re down to five finalists.

by:
Matt Simeone
September 24, 2020

In search of America’s best up-and-coming sports broadcasting talent, SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio (Ch. 89 on XM/Ch. 209 on Sirius) launched the second installment of its three-part series of Fan Call of the Month contests earlier this month — and now we’re down to five finalists (each profiled further below).

To enter this contest, participants were tasked with recording and submitting their own original play-by-play in sync with the below MLB highlight from September 3 through September 10 (visit SiriusXM.com/MLBFanCall for full entry details).

After reviewing each contest entry, the MLB Network Radio team selected five applicants to advance to a finalist round that will be judged by a panel of current MLB Network Radio hosts – Casey Stern, Mike Ferrin, and CJ Nitkowski – plus newly added guest judge, Cliff Floyd, a former MLB player and MLB Network Radio host and current MLB Network TV personality.

Tune in to MLB Network Radio on Monday, September 28, at 9am ET to hear the play-by-play calls submitted by each finalist, followed by critiques from the judges and the reveal of September’s Fan Call of the Month winner.

In addition to other prizing involved, this first place winner will earn the opportunity to compete against last month’s Fan Call of the Month winner – Sam Jellinek – as well as October’s eventual Fan Call of the Month winner, in a live/virtual “Fan Call of the Year” competition for a grand prize that includes a trip for two (2), including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, two tickets to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game®, AND the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to call a half-inning of the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game™, plus one additional year of free SiriusXM along with an echo dot!

If you missed out on entering Fan Call of the Month in August or September, and think you’ve got the chops for a career in play-by-play, then be sure to enter next month’s contest between October 1 and October 8 at SiriusXM.com/MLBFanCall!

Without further ado, see below for a quick profile on each of September’s Fan Call of the Month finalists to be judged on Monday.

Aiden Blanc

Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut

Favorite MLB Team: New York Yankees

Fun Facts: Last summer, Aiden was part of the Little League World Series Kidcast on ESPN, calling play-by-play for a game between Virginia and Hawaii. At age 18, Aiden is our youngest Fan Call of the Month finalist yet, and currently attends Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

Twitter handle: @aiden_blanc10

Instagram handle: @aiden_blanc


Brian Brownfield

Hometown: Salinas, California

Favorite MLB team: Oakland Athletics

Fun Facts: Brian is a graduate of Menlo College with a degree in Sports Management, and currently serves as Director of Communications at Saint Mary’s College of California.

Twitter handle: @smoothbutter95

Instagram handle: @smoothbutter95


Joe Vasile

Hometown: Paramus, New Jersey

Favorite MLB Team: New York Mets

Fun Facts: Joe graduated from the College of New Jersey with a degree in Communication Studies, and is currently broadcasting for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders and the Bucknell University women’s basketball team.

Twitter handle: @JoeVasilePBP

Instagram handle: @joevasile


Jonah Karp

Hometown: Syosset, New York

Favorite MLB Team: New York Mets

Fun Facts: Jonah graduated from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University in May 2020 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. He was named an All-American for the Jim Nantz Award by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America each of the last two years.

Twitter handle: @jonahkarp82

Instagram handle: @jonahkarp82


Paul Fritschner

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Favorite MLB Team: Washington Nationals

Fun Facts: Paul graduated from Xavier University and is currently the number two broadcaster for the Bowie Baysox. He also does play-by-play across several Big East sports, as well as high school football and basketball programs in his local area.

Twitter handle: @PaulFritschner

Instagram handle: @paul_fritschner


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