Hagin settles in to new surroundings

ST. LOUIS -- Long before he uttered his first words in the Cardinals' broadcast booth, Wayne Hagin knew the challenge.

It's not just a job. I'm replacing Jack Buck.

In January, when he was part of the Cardinal Caravan visiting area cities, that point was driven home time and time again.

"The obvious question was the same question every day," Hagin said. "Big shoes to fill? How do you feel about that?"

It could have been a ticklish situation, especially for a broadcaster so well-established in the business. He was the voice of the Colorado Rockies for 10 years before agreeing to come to St. Louis, and before that had worked for the Athletics, Giants and White Sox.

He was secure in Denver.

But the fans heard nothing of that. Instead, over and over, he told them how honored he was to follow in the footsteps of a broadcasting giant.

"What I told them was how I felt about Jack," Hagin said. "I understood his importance."

That attitude has helped Hagin, 47, quietly make the job his own. Midway through his first season with the team, and at the one-year anniversary of Buck's death, he has become the consistent voice the team has lacked since Buck fell ill two years ago.

"I hope that every day people listen and they know A) the guy knows the game and B) the guy loves the game," Hagin said.

There's one more thing in his favor: the Buck family approves. Joe Buck, the national broadcaster for Fox, gives Hagin a solid thumbs-up.

"I think it would be against everything that is Buck to not be anything but welcoming to a nice guy who's trying to fit in," Buck said. "I think everybody in the whole family is rooting for him.

"We all have a vested interest in whoever it is being comfortable and doing a good job because I listen to the Cardinals' games on the radio now more than I ever did. I'm thrilled that he's doing great, and good for him."

Jack Buck will forever be remembered for "Go crazy folks, go crazy!" Hagin doesn't yet have any memorable calls, although he'd like "Kiss it good-bye" to become a local watchword in time.

A snug fit

Mostly, he fits like a comfortable pair of sneakers with a smooth, conversational style that doesn't strain for glitz.

"I'm not Hollywood; I'm not trying to be too cute," Hagin said. "I care about the game. I care about you seeing the game. I constantly give the score, and I constantly describe action."

Hagin also has instantly meshed with the brash Mike Shannon, Buck's longtime broadcaster. Shannon is in his 32nd year with the Cardinals.

"If the guys are butting heads, I think eventually that comes out on the air," Joe Buck said. "That was the thing with me and Mike, we got along as well as I got along with my dad.

"That's what you need, and that's what I hear, and that's what I know is going on, talking to them off the air."

Hagin refers to Shannon as the "anti-Hagin," and the two don't always agree.

"He totally the opposite of me, and I think that's why we work," Hagin said. "We complement each other, and we contrast."

When the news came out that Sammy Sosa had corked his bat, Shannon, a former player, defended Sosa saying that they were only allegations and then tried to cut off discussion.

Hagin responded that the bat had been confiscated and Sosa ejected.

Shannon is happy to be settling in. After Jack Buck cut back his duties to home games several years ago, he had to constantly adapt to a mish-mash of broadcasters.

"This is easier because now I only have one partner," Shannon said. "There's always an adjustment period, but I think it's going very well. We're a good fit."

Shannon went out of his way to make Hagin comfortable, making it a point on opening day when he stood at home plate and introduced his new broadcast partner. Hagin calls it his "greatest day in baseball."

There have been few, if any, detractors. Hagin feels he's found a home.

"The feet are implanted, they're in cement," Hagin said. "I'd like to be here the remainder of my career. This job has been great."