Longtime Angels Minor League Broadcaster Dies

J.P. Hoornstra | Jun 11, 2024

Jul 17, 2019; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detailed view of a memorial for Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Skaggs, 27, died at a hotel in Southlake, Texas, July 1, 2019, where he was found unresponsive prior to a game against the Texas Rangers. Steve Klauke, the longtime voice of the Angels' Triple-A affiliate Salt Lake Bees, died on Tuesday. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels' longtime Triple-A broadcaster Steve Klauke, who retired last year after 29 years calling minor league games in Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away Tuesday. The Salt Lake Bees announced the news on their Twitter/X account Tuesday. Klauke was 69.

We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved former broadcaster Steve Klauke passed away this morning.
Steve was an incredible broadcaster, amazing friend and devoted husband and father. He will forever be "the voice of the Bees." pic.twitter.com/zpWOWwqnaJ

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) June 11, 2024

"The Angels Organization is saddened at the passing of longtime Salt Lake Bees broadcaster Steve Klauke," the team announced in a statement. "Steve’s voice served as the perfect backdrop to the start of numerous future Angels careers during his nearly 30 years of broadcasting. He approached each game with passion and dedication that was felt by his listeners and players on the field alike. We send our deepest condolences to Steve’s wife Sue, his two children and our entire Bees family.”

Klauke won the Utah Sportscaster of the Year Award three times, winning in 1995, 2014 and 2016. He was also named Ballpark Digest Broadcaster of the Year in 2014.

An Illinois native, Klauke came to Utah in 1991 as a pre-game, halftime and post-game show host for the Utah Jazz. In addition to his work with the Bees and Weber State, Klauke broadcasted games for the Jazz, Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, University of Utah, Utah Grizzlies and Utah Flash.