When you think of baseball broadcasting, few voices are as instantly recognizable—or as entertaining—as Jon "Boog" Sciambi. Whether he's calling games for the Chicago Cubs on Marquee Sports Network or providing national coverage for ESPN, Sciambi brings a rare blend of sharp analytics and genuine humor to the booth. Alongside analyst Jim Deshaies and reporter Taylor McGregor, he’s become a fan favorite for good reason.
We recently sat down with Sciambi to talk about the Cubs, the surprises of the season, and a cause that hits close to home. Here's what he had to say.
On the NL Central’s unexpected strength:
"I’m surprised the NL Central’s been this good. It’s been the best division in baseball. I didn’t think it would be quite so potent top to bottom. I’m not going to sit here and say I think it’ll necessarily stay at this level, but yeah, that probably surprised me a bit."
On the Cubs’ hot streak and early-season narrative:
"Everybody talks about how early it is, and what happened to us is a perfect example. We were just plodding along and then ripped off 10 in a row. That changes the dynamic of everything, and suddenly everyone’s talking about how good your team is."
On the team’s pitching woes:
"Pitching and injuries are a huge part of the story for us. We just lost so many guys. I think we currently have 11 or 10 pitchers on the IL, and it’s still not even May. On the opening-day roster for the Iowa Cubs, our Triple-A team, they had 15 pitchers, and already nine of them have pitched for the Chicago Cubs this year."
On young talent making an impact:
"Moises Ballesteros has been excellent. I think we knew he could hit, but he has been absolutely raking. Most of the time, when a team does something special, you get performances that you may have expected at some point, but not immediately from young guys. He’s been wonderful so far."
On Pete Crow-Armstrong’s defense:
"(Pete Crow-Armstrong) is off to a slow start with the bat, but he continues to play, I think, the best defense of any player at any position in baseball. Our manager, Craig Counsell, says he’s the best defensive center fielder he’s ever seen. When you hear that from a guy who managed prime Lorenzo Cain, that carries weight."
On why ALS fundraising means so much to him:
"ALS is a cause that’s personal to me. I’ve seen what it does to families, to the people you love. When you have a platform like this, you have a responsibility to use it for something bigger than baseball. Every game I call, I think about how lucky I am to be doing what I love—and I want to help make sure others get that same chance, no matter what they’re facing."
From the booth to the community, Sciambi continues to prove that baseball is more than just a game. It’s a way to connect, to inspire, and to make a real difference.