Adrienne Roberson enjoys the view, whether it’s driving into downtown Baltimore or sitting at her perch in the press box at Camden Yards.
Last year, the Orioles hired Roberson as their new public address announcer, the first female voice in franchise history. Roberson immediately felt right at home.
“It’s been incredible,” Roberson said. “The employees of the Orioles have been so welcoming and made me feel a part of the crew/family. It’s certainly unique being the first woman and I am happy we are finding our way into these positions but truly – man or woman – it just is so exciting to be in this role. I enjoy the drive into the city looking at the beautiful skyline and coming to work in one of the most beautiful stadiums in our country.”
Roberson has worked in professional baseball for more than two decades. She spent 17 years as the PA announcer for the Bowie Baysox, the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate. Roberson also made several appearances as a guest public address announcer for the Orioles during her time in Bowie.
As a result, it was a natural fit. When Roberson was hired by the Orioles, she became just the fourth active female PA announcer in Major League Baseball, joining Renel Brooks-Moon (San Francisco Giants), Marysol Castro (New York Mets), and Amelia Schimmel (Oakland Athletics).
“The fans have been very welcoming,” Roberson said. “As always there is an adjustment period and one cannot possibly make everyone happy, because it’s art and it’s an opinion. But I always try my hardest and try to be soothing and part of the ambiance but not distracting or piercing. I want our fans to feel the excitement of the favorite player walking to the batter’s box and drive the name deep and get the fans excited for the player to hit it out of the ballpark.
“A lot of fans took the time to welcome me and congratulate me and that meant so much. Some fans came by the front of the press box and welcomed me. A few even wrote letters and that was so thoughtful.”
Roberson has also spent the last 10 years as a public address announcer for men’s lacrosse, softball, soccer, and volleyball at Georgetown University. She began her career with the Knoxville Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, where she spent two seasons.
She also works for Archbishop Spalding in Severn as the attendance coordinator. She has a Jim Palmer Bobblehead, of course, and an orange lamp at her desk.
“Students at Spalding who are aware are very excited and super supportive,” Roberson said. “One of our graduating seniors last year was a grounds crew member and his family was so excited. We have so many Orioles fans. … I also announce a lot of the kids to come to the office for early dismissals and my colleagues joke that it feels like they are at the ballpark and makes them think of spring.”
Roberson, a native of Philadelphia, received her bachelor’s degree in communication, broadcasting and sports management from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1997.
She was baptized at St. Martin in Northeast Philadelphia and confirmed at a Catholic school, St. Jude in Monroe, Conn., where she attended until eighth grade. She attends St. Joseph in Odenton and wants to join a parish in Baltimore because she is moving there in the fall.
“Congregations are teams with individuals who step up,” Roberson said. “But we all work together … every time you step up to the plate, it’s new. Every spring, just like Lent, we start anew – every team on an equal level.”
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