Ron Coomer is never one to hold back when it comes to his love for Lockport.
Coomer, a 1984 Lockport graduate, went on to play for nine years in the major leagues, including one season with the Chicago Cubs in 2001. Now a broadcaster on the Cubs radio network, Coomer more than occasionally gives a nod to the Porters.
“Every fan that listens to Cubs radio for the last 12 years knows Lockport is my hometown,” Coomer said. “I make no secret about it. This is home.”
Coomer was recently honored by his alma mater as part of the second class of Lockport Legends, who were recognized in a ceremony at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.
Amber Podlesny, Haley Augello, Brad Johnson, Liz Phillips, Richaun Holmes, Courtney Pope, Kyle Anderson, Larry Thompson, Denise Hadley and Bob Allen were also honored, while Dick Dystrup, Rollie Bolattino and Bill Haller were recognized posthumously.
Coomer is in his 12th season broadcasting for the Cubs, partnering with longtime play-by-play man Pat Hughes, who was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame as a broadcaster in 2023.
“I would say I’m very fortunate,” Coomer said. “I’m with a Hall of Fame broadcaster and I’m with my hometown team where I grew up going to games. My first game at Wrigley Field was when I was 4 years old. This is my 38th year in professional baseball and my 22nd year as a broadcaster in the big leagues, so it’s very special just to be a part of the game for so long.”
After spending his final season as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, Coomer considered going into coaching. Instead, a TV offer from Fox won him over.
“I interviewed with the Twins and Yankees to manage in the minor leagues and they both offered me a job but it just wasn’t working out at that moment,” Coomer said. “I had only stopped playing a few months earlier. A week later I got a call from Fox, asking me if I wanted to come back to Chicago and do the Saturday game of the week, either Cubs or Sox every week. I said ‘heck yeah’ to that.
“I thought I’d broadcast for a year or two, and 22 years later, here we are.”
Chicago Cubs radio broadcasters Ron Coomer, left, and Pat Hughes during a game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Coomer spent 10 seasons broadcasting for the Minnesota Twins — the team he spent five seasons with as a player — before the Cubs came calling in 2013.
“I never thought I’d leave Minnesota,” Coomer said. “Then I got a call from Pat Hughes, and 24 hours later, I was a Cubs broadcaster.”
Taking a job with the Cubs allowed Coomer the opportunity to establish a presence as well in Lockport. He owns Coom’s Corner, a restaurant and bar he opened in 2018.
“When I come home, I’m excited,” Coomer told the crowd during his induction speech. “I don’t care about going to New York or LA. I want to come home. That’s why I built the restaurant in my hometown so I have a place to go.”
Coomer led the Porters to the program’s second appearance in the state finals as a senior in 1984. Lockport lost to Oak Park-River Forest 6-4 in a Class AA quarterfinal.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Cubs radio announcers Ron Coomer, left, and Pat Hughes embrace on stage during the opening ceremony of the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
His impact in Lockport has gone well beyond his high school accomplishments, according to Lockport athletic director Mike Dwyer, who praised Coomer for continuing to represent the Porters.
“His bat made some noise in high school, but his voice has become the soundtrack of the Cubs and his heart never truly left Lockport,” Dwyer said.
Of course, Coomer’s other home is also special.
“It’s incredible going to Wrigley Field every day,” he said. “You can’t really ask for much more. It’s a great place to call your office.
“Just to be a part of Cubs baseball, at the end of the day, is what I wanted to do, and it’s just about as cool as it gets.”
Originally Published: August 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM CDT