CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Major League Baseball Opening Day was on Thursday and the Corpus Christi Hooks are just one week away from the start of their season.
If you have been to a Hooks game, you will recognize the voice of Amy Montez Frye. She is the first female PA announcer for the Hooks and entire Houston Astros organization.
Getting the job was not easy. She beat out about 94 other applicants to become the voice of the Hooks at Whataburger Field.
"It's a blessing that I'm just thankful for every day," Montez Frye said. "Every day that I can get behind the mic, I'm just excited and loving every minute of it."
Montez Frye originally auditioned for the Hooks PA announcer job in 2014 but did not get it. She said she knew she had to bring it all the next time she auditioned in 2020 and her first official season in her dream role was in 2021. She is now the voice that people hear during Hooks games.
"They think this is the norm," Montez Frye said. "My daughter said when we went to an Astros game, 'Oh, boys do that, too.' That was a big moment for me."
She worked at a Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelinas Softball game on Thursday, which is one of multiple sports she announces. She also announces games at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
She had many women to look up to in sports broadcasting when she decided this was the career for her. She mentioned Patti Smith with Fox Sports Houston, Julia Morales with Space City Home Network and Renel Brooks-Moon, a female PA announcer for the San Francisco Giants.
"When I heard about her getting that position, that was an eye-opener for me and I was in elementary school at the time," Montez Frye said.
Montez Frye said she loves seeing fans coming to games and the role she has when they experience them.
"I love that so many of their favorite memories, their summer memories, are at Whataburger Field and that I get to have a part in that," Montez Frye said.
The Hooks will start the season on April 5 and Montez Frye said their opening day is her favorite. She said there will be a t-shirt giveaway and fireworks for fans to look forward to.