By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The entire Philadelphia sports fanbase was in a state of shock and concern this past weekend when Dan Baker, the stadium public address announcer of the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971, missed his first games at Citizens Bank Park due to health-related issues.
Wednesday morning on SportsRadio 94 WIP, Baker said he is feeling "much better," and that he opted to miss the games as a "precautionary step, rather than take any chances."
"I felt lousy Saturday afternoon after doing a Woodstown-Salem high school game. After having lunch, then I was going to head to the Phillies game," Baker said. "I'm pretty durable. These were the first two games I missed at Citizens Bank Park after about 1,250 since the park opened in 2004."
Baker said that he went into an emergency room on Saturday for tests and observation, and was released the next day in the afternoon; he still has a few tests to take. "Whatever we find, we'll address. I think I'm not going to miss many more, if any games," Baker said. "I'll try to plan around the Phillies schedule, of course, if there's anything more I need to do."
While out, Baker still tuned in, saying he "absolutely" kept track and missed being at the action. In his absence, Scott Palmer, Phillies Director of Public Affairs, filled in, and according to Baker did a "great job." "We're lucky to have somebody as versatile as Scott, to be able to 'pinch-hit' like that," Baker said.
"So many people have been so nice and sending along best wishes, and stuff like that. I appreciate those sentiments and I feel terrible that I caused concern to anybody."
Baker said he is "so honored" to be the Phillies' public address announcer; he returned to action Tuesday evening in Phillies' two-game interleague series opener against the Detroit Tigers, missing only the two weekend games.
"Growing up in Philadelphia as a kid and going to Connie Mack Stadium, and falling in love with the team. Of course, way back in those days I had dreams of being a Phillies player myself, or for that matter an Eagles player; in the 1950s, of course, we had the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA," Baker said. "So, I rooted for all the Philadelphia teams, I still do and always will – high school, college and pro."
"It's a great sports city, it's just a great city period."
