Toronto, Canada
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Bohol-born daughter of a sports fan rose to fame as a baseball on-field reporter
In what is described as one of the most exciting times for sports fans and for Canadian baseball fans specifically, a familiar voice has been adding to the excitement during every game.
To her fans, she is simply Hazel Mae, the veteran on-field reporter for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Born Hazel Mae Cagulada in Tagbilaran City, Philippines, her family immigrated to Canada in the 1970s.
Her father, Tito, gave up his law practice to bring the family to a new country and with his daughter’s success, all the sacrifices had paid off.
Hazel Mae has been delivering the latest sports news and updates to Canadians across the country since 2001.
Her passion for sports was influenced by her father who watched with her the Toronto Maple Leafs since she was younger.
She began by anchoring the morning edition of Sportsnet News while simultaneously hosting the weekly Toronto Blue Jays magazine show – Jzone.
In 2004, Mae’s career took her across the border to become the lead anchor on Sportsdesk for the New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, Massachusetts, before heading to New York in 2008 to help launch the MLB network, where she was part of the ensemble on the Emmy Award-winning signature studio show MLB tonight, host of the highlight program Quick Pitch, and worked as a sideline reporter for Thursday Night Baseball, according to her biography.
Hazel Mae returned home to Toronto in 2011 and resumed her role with Sportsnet behind the desk of Connected, as well as appearing on Blue Jays Central – Canada’s live studio pre-game show for all Toronto Blue Jays broadcasts.
A true sports fan, Hazel Mae’s career highlights include covering and reporting on the NHL, MLB – including two World Series titles for the Boston Red Sox – NBA, NFL, Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and more, her bio added.
Known for her engaging style and baseball expertise, she became a fan favourite among the Red Sox Nation.
In the MLB Network, she was an analyst and host who appeared on multiple flagship programs including Hot Stove and MLB Tonight.
But with most of her family being based in Toronto, Hazel Mae decided to move back to Canada.
She returned to Rogers Sportsnet in 2011 has since been providing pre-game, in-game, and post-game coverage, and giving viewers expert analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
With her wealth of broadcasting experience and a career that spans Canada and the U.S., Hazel Mae remains a trusted and respected voice in sports media, inspiring audiences with her passion for the game and dedication to excellence, according to Prospeakers.com.
Despite offers for hosting jobs in the U.S. for doing other broadcast work, she chose to continue doing what she loves.
Her career began with campus radio sports updates at York University.
In a field dominated by men, Hazel Mae’s passion for sports pushed her to audition for Sportsnet radio and the rest, they say, is history.
She also ended up marrying former Major League Baseball first baseman Kevin Barker. They have a son named Chase.
Off-cam, Hazel Mae said she enjoys watching sports programs with her husband.