Mike Antonellis, Play-by-Play, Portland Sea Dogs

Mike Antonellis is the radio play-by-play voice for the Portland Sea Dogs, the AA affiliate of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.


Baseball-Rumors: Got to start here, Mike. Memorial Day 2007, you receive a phone call from the Red Sox asking you to be a part of a TV broadcast for the Portland Sea Dogs for NESN. What was that like and how much different is it from radio?

Mike Antonellis: The Red Sox actually called our office with the idea, saying they wanted to change this up a little bit and give the fans a chance to see the Sea Dogs play. Chris Cameron, our Media Relations Director actually suggested me, so, yeah it was a big day for me for sure.

It worked out really well, it was a great time. The biggest change is, as far as radio goes, in the opening moments of the game, you're describing the scene so you're constantly talking. In TV, it's very quiet. I was doing color of the game, there's a big mis-conception that you can't be as creative on TV than you can in radio, but I found out you actually paint a big picture with every change in camera shots. I really enjoyed the live part of it all.


Baseball-Rumors: The pitcher on the mound for that game, Clay Buchholz, in just his 2nd or 3rd start Major League start, goes out and throws a no-hitter. Did you get to see it as it happened and what was your reaction?

Mike Antonellis: I didn't get to see the entire game until the following morning when I got to sit down and watch the replay of the game. I'm not surprised at all because of his stuff. He's got 4 pitches that he has great command of, but that curve ball is the most devastating pitch, it's paralyzing, it really is.

My opinion, Clay is the best pitcher I've seen come through here in my 11 years of doing this. He's far and away better than anyone I've ever seen.

You really root for players like him because you get to know them as they come up through the system.

Baseball-Rumors: July 12th, 2006, a young player by the name of Jacoby Ellsbury steps on the scene. How much had you known about him and did you expect him to become the player he has?

Mike Antonellis: In this area, you know the players coming up before they do, you know a little about them already, so yes I knew of him before he came up.

Jacoby was drafted right around the time of Johnny Damon's departure from the Red Sox. When he was drafted out of college, a lot of scouts said he could play the outfield in the big leagues right now. He's a confident kid, but not so much that he's cocky. The one thing I like so much about Ellsbury is, he's got great speed, game changing speed.


Baseball-Rumors: How much fun do you have watching these young players coming up, not necessarily the aforementioned Buchholz and Ellsbury, but all of them?

Mike Antonellis: It's a lot of fun. I grew up in an area where noone liked minor league baseball, but now this is a big deal.

The first player to come through the Sox system, Jonathan Papelbon, was really the first young player to make an impact with Boston and show teams that this is what a good farm system can do for your organization.


Baseball-Rumors: If there are 1 or 2 players that you would want Red Sox fans to keep their eye on or watch for, who are those players and why?

Mike Antonellis: As far as a pitcher goes, I'd say Justin Masterson. He's got a great sinker, he has natural sink on that pitch and he can throw it anywhere from 85-95 MPH.

The other player would be Bubba Bell, he put up rediculous numbers in the California League. There was a lot of pressure on him when he was called up, but he held himself really well.


Baseball-Rumors: Do you see both players being called up next season or do you expect them to be back with Portland?

Mike Antonellis: I think both will be back in Portland in 2008. The Red Sox organization isn't into rushing players up, they take their time, especially with pitchers.