Chicago Radio: Cubs On WBBM "Surreal"

At this time last spring, according to The Chicago Tribune, the chances of News WBBM 780 AM / 105.9 FM and ABC-7 becoming broadcast outlets for the Cubs were about as unlikely as the team being able to sign Jon Lester for $155 million. A year later, both stations are preparing to air games featuring the new Cubs ace.

Note the lineup changes, as the 2015 season officially brings a dramatic shift in the broadcast landscape for the Cubs. WBBM takes over as the new flagship radio station, ending WGN-AM 720's run with the team, which seemed destined to go on forever.

"It does seem a bit surreal," Ron Gleason, WBBM's director of news and programming, said of the swirl of Cubs-related activity at the station.

Gleason said WBBM isn't breaking the mold.

"The production elements may sound a little bit different (than WGN's), but it's still Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer calling the games," Gleason said. "It's Cubs baseball on the radio. That hasn't changed."
However, there are a few alterations. Mark Grote has been brought in to host the pre- and postgame shows. Coomer also will handle the play-by-play in the fifth inning with Hughes remaining in the booth. Previously at WGN, Hughes took a complete inning off during a game with Judd Sirott doing the play-by-play.

"Ron is putting in the work (to do play-by-play)," Gleason said. "He's good."

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