Hundreds of fans, students, and baseball figures gathered at Rowan University on Tuesday to honor legendary Philadelphia Phillies public address announcer and alumnus Dan Baker (’68). The celebration coincided with Baker’s 80th birthday and featured the grand unveiling of a permanent sports memorabilia collection donated by Baker himself.
The new exhibit, housed on the ground floor of Rowan’s Chamberlain Student Center, showcases more than 75 rare items gathered over Baker’s historic 54-year career as the voice of the Phillies.
A storied career rooted in Glassboro State
A junior high school education major and basketball player during his undergraduate years, Baker graduated from then-Glassboro State College in 1968 before launching his career in education and later stepping behind the microphone for the Phillies in 1972. Today, he holds the title of the longest-serving active public address announcer in Major League Baseball history.
“When I first arrived at Glassboro State College, I could not have imagined where life would take me,” Baker said during the ceremony. “I certainly could not have known that the education, friendships and experiences I found would provide the foundation for a career that would allow me to participate in so many memorable moments in Philadelphia sports history.”
Discussions for the collection began four years ago alongside Neil Hartman, Senior Director of Rowan’s Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact and a former Philadelphia sports broadcaster.
Inside the permanent collection
The curated exhibit features an impressive array of baseball history, carefully designed and housed in custom display cases donated by Mullica Hill-based Hall of Fame Sports Memorabilia. Highlights include:
- Game-used and Hall of Fame Jerseys: Authentic jerseys from legends like Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Steve Carlton, and 2008 World Series champion Ryan Howard.
- Championship Memorabilia: Replica World Series rings from 1980 and 2008, alongside Baker’s personal Phillies watch.
- Signed Artifacts: Autographed bats and balls from baseball greats including Joe DiMaggio, Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Jim Bunning and Jim Thome.
“What a wonderful opportunity for our students to enjoy all this Phillies memorabilia that Dan has gathered the past 54 years,” Hartman said. “Dan’s voice has been a part of some of the city’s most unforgettable moments, and it all started here in Glassboro, New Jersey.”
Birthday tributes and community legacy
The celebration featured remarks from Rowan University President Ali Houshmand, former Phillies relief pitcher and radio color commentator Larry Anderson, and members of the campus community. During the event, the Rowan University baseball team surprised Baker with a team uniform and a birthday cake.
“Dan’s heart for people is his greatest legacy,” Houshmand said. “Everyone who visits this exhibit and learns about his life will be inspired to kindness and perseverance, to how one person can make a difference for so many.”
Baker closed out the unveiling by addressing the students and fans in attendance, encouraging them to view the display not just as a record of one career, but as a testament to what is possible when following a unique path.
