Wrigley Field is rocking, summer is around the corner and Len Kasper commands the best seat in the house. Yep, life as the TV voice of the Chicago Cubs is sweet.
“I take it very seriously, but I don’t take myself very seriously,” Kasper, 37, who is in his fourth season in the booth, told RedEye this week. “Cubs fans take the wins and losses very, very seriously, but in the end, it is just a game, and we always try to keep that in mind.”
Kasper shares his thoughts with RedEye about the team, “Dancing With the Stars” and why he never could get a hit off of Carlos Zambrano.
How often are you reminded that you’re occupying Harry Caray’s old booth?
Just about every day, and I tell myself the same thing every time I walk in that booth. I think of all the great broadcasters who have worked in there. It’s a huge responsibility, a huge honor.
Are you living the dream?
No question. No question about it.
Which member of the Cubs would be most likely to turn up on “Dancing With the Stars”?
Ryan Dempster would be the obvious choice because I think he would try just about anything. Derrek Lee would be good at it. He’s good on his feet. Kosuke Fukudome would be excellent. I think most of the Cubs players could do it.
Who’s going to win the World Series?
I’m not in the prediction-making business. I know how random it can be once you get to the playoffs. I think the Cubs have a great opportunity to win this division again, and hopefully if and when that happens they’ll be the team that sweeps the opponent in the first round.
Who would you like to see as a guest conductor for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”?
You played high school baseball. If you were to step into the batter’s box against Carlos Zambrano, could you make contact?
Probably not. That would be a tough at-bat because his fastball moves all over the place. I’d rather face a guy who throws about 84 and throws nothing but straight fastballs. At that point, maybe after an hour of swinging, I might be able to make contact once.
