Dan Kolko Takes Helm as Nats' New Play-by-Play Announcer

On March 25, the Washington Nationals are entering 2026 with fresh faces across the board, from the front office to the field and even.

The broadcast booth. After saying goodbye to longtime play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter, the team has turned to Dan Coco for the top spot.

Coco, a familiar presence from his sideline reporting days, steps into one of just 30 such jobs in Major League Baseball.

Coco grew up in the DMV area, right in Silver Spring, and went to Albert Einstein High School.

He dreamed of playing ball, but realized early on he was not cut out for it, so he studied broadcasting at the University of Delaware.

From there, he joined Mass Anne and covered the Natsbeat, building his career close to home.

Fans and players alike are watching closely, as Coco settles in, knowing the big shoes he has to fill.

He has strong ties and that's veterans from the 2010s teams, like Jason Worth and Ryan Zimmerman, and credits mentors such as Kevin Burkhardt for, guidance.

Carpenter himself encouraged him to make the role his own.

Coco admits the jump feels daunting at first, but years of reps have made him more comfortable on air.

He plans to lean on his player relationships for lively game stories and quick insights that keep listeners hooked.

As Spring training ramps up, Coco is focused on sounding natural while honoring the booth's legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of,

Nationals broadcasts.

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