Chicago Cubs: Getting to know Tennessee Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie

The voice of the Tennessee Smokies since 2007, Mick Gillispie displays a passion for the game as he calls the action for the Chicago Cubs Double-A club.

For more than a decade, Mick Gillispie has graced the airwaves in Tennessee, calling games for the Tennessee Smokies. This club has seen countless stars come and go in that time – even several current Chicago Cubs standouts.

When you tune in to a Smokies broadcast, two things really stand out: his passion and knowledge for the game of baseball. In 2017, that combination helped Gillispie earn Ballpark Digest‘s Minor League Broadcaster of the Year.

This week I was able to talk with Mick Gillispie about his experiences working in Minor League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate, Tennessee Smokies. He found a passion for the game at a young age, growing up in Baltimore before moving to New Jersey before fulfilling his lifelong dream to call the game.

A real talent, Gillispie discussed his love for the game, where his career began, and the best parts of being in the booth.

Baseball is a game of passionate and profoundly rooted fandom. It carries from generation to generation, not slowing down in its wake to bring out the best in its admirers. What is beautiful about the game is how those same fans grew up with it, their experiences and unbridled passion.