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WBZ-TV's David Wade Gets Turn As Red Sox PA Announcer Friday Night

BOSTON (CBS) – With the tragic passing of Fenway Park public address announcer Carl Beane in May, the Boston Red Sox have been bringing in different personalities to fill the void.

On Friday night, when fans took their seats for a crucial four-game series against the New York Yankees, those that wake up early with WBZ-TV heard a familiar voice utter those famous words:  "Now batting...."

That's because David Wade got his turn in the PA booth.

"Pinch me,  it's great," Wade told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens Friday, shortly after finishing up the morning news on WBZ-TV. "This is something I grew up doing; announcing myself, pretending I was at Fenway Park."

Listen: Carl Stevens With David Wade: 

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Much like most young boys growing up in Massachusetts, Wade wanted to don the uniform some day and take the field for the Sox.

He even got a chance to take some batting practice at Fenway last season. As good as he looked, the team did not call with a contract offer.

But getting his turn in the booth Friday night was just as memorable.

"It's just such a cool thing to have the opportunity," said Wade. "Growing up in Somerville and then Tewksbury, I wanted to play for the Red Sox. This is close enough."

Read: Do Or Die Series For Red Sox

While Wade admitted he was nervous, his 17 years of on-air experience helped when he took a seat in the booth high above home plate.

"I think the concern is the moment might suddenly feel too big for me and that I might make me panic a little bit," he said before the game.

"Suddenly, it's n-n-n-n-ow ba-ba-ba-batting… and sound like 'Porky Pig' a bit."

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