For Baker, Eagles-Phillies doubleheader no big deal

With a long night still ahead of him, Dan Baker knew he had to pace himself.

Baker, the veteran public address announcer for the Eagles and Phillies, worked the Birds' 40-17 thumping of the New York Giants game yesterday afternoon.

Then, after taking the short walk from Lincoln Financial Field to Citizens Bank Park, Baker, 63, began to prepare for Game 4 of last night's World Series between the Phils and Yankees.

"My style of public address announcing isn't screaming and shouting," said Baker, who has been with the Phillies since 1972 and the Eagles since 1985.

"I do try to talk with enthusiasm, but not to the point of screaming and shouting all types of things that can take a toll on my voice."

Baker said he has done two games on the same day on many occasions. On Oct. 26 of last year he worked the Eagles' 27-14 win over the Falcons in the afternoon followed by the Phillies' 10-2 win over Tampa Bay in Game 4 of the World Series that night.

"I try not to talk when I don't have to talk," said Baker, who said he woke up at 9 a.m. yesterday and didn't expect to leave the Bank until about 3 a.m.

"My voice is very resilient.

"I think I've lost only one Phillies game [about 20 years ago] to laryngitis."

Baker said he doesn't worry about eating any particular foods between games, but mentioned that he likes to have a couple of cups of coffee and a Diet Coke to keep his throat from getting dry.

After all, on a day like yesterday, he can't afford to lose his most vital instrument: his voice.