For many attending an Angels game in Anaheim, the voice announcing each batter and encouraging fans has become a familiar, if often unnoticed, part of the experience. That voice belongs to Michael Araujo, who this Sunday will wrap up his 14th season as the Angels’ public address announcer, a role he considers his "dream job."
Araujo has started more home games than Mike Trout in his tenure and last month, he passed 1,000 games behind the mic. Despite his consistent presence, his voice often blends into the background for most fans, only becoming noticeable if a mistake occurs. However, Davin Maske, the Angels’ director of entertainment and production, stated he doesn't recall any major errors from Araujo since he's been in his position.
Araujo, 54, also serves as the stadium voice for the LA Galaxy and has worked numerous major soccer events, including eight World Cup games and the 2003 Women’s World Cup final. Yet, his connection to the Angels runs deep, as he was a season-ticket holder for the team growing up. His wife, Kathryn Casey, confirmed his passion, noting, “He really does enjoy being there and being part of it because he’s a huge fan. It’s not just a job.”
The role of a public address announcer carries high expectations in Southern California, particularly when measured against the legacy of the late John Ramsey. Ramsey, who died in 1990, was the original PA voice for numerous local teams including the Angels, Dodgers, Lakers, and Raiders, known for his calm, authoritative delivery. Araujo, however, said that distinctive style is "not me," and he aims not to emulate it.
Araujo's delivery is characterized by an enthusiastic lilt, a balance he maintains even during the team’s challenging seasons. Maske commented on Araujo's ability to find "that balance of excitement and traditionalism" in baseball, a sport Maske described as often "very boring." Unlike some broadcast booths, Araujo’s perch on the club level behind home plate is open to the crowd, allowing him to feed off the energy of the fans.
Earning between $100-$500 a game, PA announcing isn't a lucrative career, but Araujo described it as "fun money" that he and his wife, a fellow teacher and clock operator for Galaxy games, use for travel. Araujo himself teaches at an alternative-education high school in La Puente.
His path to PA announcing was somewhat accidental. He started working for the Galaxy in 1996, eventually filling in when their regular announcer, Victor Villalba, departed mid-season in 2002. Araujo has been with the Galaxy ever since, now in his 25th season. He secured the Angels gig in 2013 after the team’s longtime announcer, David Courtney, died. Araujo was invited to spring training to audition and ultimately won the job over two other candidates.
On game days, Araujo arrives about 2½ hours before the first pitch, often wearing an Angels jersey. He keeps a variety of jerseys to rotate, reusing one from a winning game. His tools are simple: a microphone and a laptop equipped with custom software he created to track lineups and provide pronunciation guides for players. While he carries cough drops, he maintains few other vocal rituals, though he avoids carbonated drinks before games.
Araujo is one of only three Latino public address announcers in Major League Baseball. He notes that while 30% of big-league players are from Latin America, only 10% of PA announcers are Latino. Raised middle-class in La Verne by a sheriff’s deputy father and nurse mother, who often spoke Spanish, Araujo believes his role can show students and other young people "that bigger things are possible."
For the unseen voice of the stadium, there are times when being heard, and eventually seen, matters.