If you’ve watched a Peabody High sports game on Peabody TV, chances are you’ve heard Joel Saslaw’s voice.
Saslaw, a former Peabody Ward 5 City Councilor, first shared his voice as the public address announcer for Peabody youth football more than a dozen years ago.
“When my son started Peabody youth football, all the parents would show up at the high school and I realized that no one was giving information about the plays and what was going on,” Saslaw said. “I just went into the booth and started calling the plays and doing the PA system for Peabody youth football.”
When Saslaw’s kids got to high school, he found himself next to Louis Cersosimo. Saslaw was the color commentator with Cersosimo doing play-by-play. As Cersosimo got older, the positions switched, making Saslaw the play-by-play commentator.
“We had a great working relationship,” Saslaw said. “He [Cersosimo] welcomed me into the booth. We had a great time and a great run. That’s how it started.”
Naturally, Saslaw went from broadcasting football games to other sporting events, including basketball.
“It kind of was a natural progression. Lou used to broadcast the basketball games so he would bring me in the booth with him,” Saslaw said.
Recently, Saslaw broadcasted a girls basketball game against Bishop Fenwick, but with a twist.
Saslaw had a guest in the booth with him as former Tanner and current Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning-Martin joined as the color commentator.
Martin was a three-sport athlete and captain for the Tanners (basketball, softball, and field hockey).
Saslaw said it was “great” to work with Martin.
“Councilor Manning-Martin has been a Councilor-at-Large for a number of years, but she was also a three-sport captain out of Peabody High School,” Saslaw said. “To be able to bring someone in like that to assist in the broadcast is really a fun opportunity for me and for the listeners.”
Martin was full of praise when asked about her broadcast buddy.
“[Saslaw] loves his Tanners and does a great job following and announcing several different sporting events,” Martin said. “He voluntarily pours over the teams’ and players’ stats to provide an in-depth analysis for the viewers.”
Saslaw admits it’s not easy for people to come into the booth, and tries to reach out to people who he believes will “enjoy it” and “add to the broadcast.” Martin fit that criteria perfectly.
“Anne had some good historical knowledge and had a very successful playing career in high school,” Saslaw said. “I know she’s a big supporter of women’s athletics so I figured it was a great opportunity. It was a fun and enjoyable night.”
“[Saslaw] really enjoys promoting youth sports, and I had a blast covering games with him,” Martin said.
No matter the sport, Saslaw’s voice makes every broadcast a better one – here’s to many more.
