Hazel Mae
Hazel Mae is a prominent Filipino-Canadian sportscaster recognized for her extensive work across major North American sports networks. Her career includes significant roles as a lead anchor for Sportsnet in Canada, NESN's SportsDesk in Boston, and as a host and reporter for MLB Network. Mae is a familiar face to Canadian sports fans, particularly through her long-standing coverage of the Toronto Blue Jays as a field-level reporter. In 2026, her contributions to sports broadcasting were honoured with the Gordon Sinclair Award for lifetime achievement at the Canadian Screen Awards, cementing her status in the industry.
Early life and education
Hazel Mae was born on April 7, 1970, and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. Her father, a lawyer, immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 1973, establishing the family's Canadian roots. Mae completed her secondary education at St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in the Toronto area. She pursued higher education at York University, where her initial foray into sports broadcasting began. While on campus, she gained her first professional experience by hosting a sports update show, laying the foundation for her future career in sports media. This early role provided practical training in compiling and delivering sports news, a skill she would refine throughout her career.
Broadcast career in Canada
Hazel Mae's professional broadcasting career in Canada was primarily with Rogers Sportsnet, one of the country's national all-sports networks. She initially provided sports updates for the network's radio affiliates across Ontario, a role that required concise and accurate reporting for a broad audience. Mae later anchored the morning edition of Sportsnetnews, bringing daily sports highlights to a national audience and establishing her as a reliable morning presence. Her deep connection with Toronto sports was further solidified when she hosted JZone, a weekly magazine show dedicated entirely to the Toronto Blue Jays, a team also owned by Rogers at the time. Mae's tenure at Sportsnet established her as a trusted voice in Canadian sports journalism before her move to the United States in 2004, a transition that marked a significant step in her career.
Tenure at NESN in Boston
In December 2004, Hazel Mae relocated to Boston to become the lead anchor for the New England Sports Network's flagship news program, SportsDesk. She held this prominent position until June 2008, becoming a familiar presence in New England sports media and delivering nightly sports news to a passionate regional audience. Beyond the nightly news, Mae hosted The Ultimate Red Sox Show, a weekly review program for the Boston Red Sox, and The Buzz, a top-ten style show for the Boston Bruins during the NHL season. Her popularity in the region was evident when she was nominated for consideration to be the first president of the fan organization Red Sox Nation, a position that ultimately went to the late broadcaster Jerry Remy. Mae made her final SportsDesk broadcast on June 28, 2008, after NESN announced her departure on June 2 of that year, concluding a nearly four-year run that significantly raised her profile.
Work with MLB Network
Following her departure from NESN, Hazel Mae joined the newly launched MLB Network in August 2008 as a host and reporter. From 2009 onward, she became a regular contributor to several of the network's key programs, leveraging her baseball knowledge for a national audience. Her assignments included appearing on the offseason discussion show Hot Stove, the nightly highlights and analysis program MLB Tonight, and the spring training series 30 Clubs in 30 Days. Mae also hosted the re-airing of Mark Buehrle's perfect game and contributed to the daily highlights show Quick Pitch, providing comprehensive coverage of the baseball calendar. In 2011, she took on a co-hosting role for a new program called The Rundown alongside Matt Yallof, further expanding her portfolio at the national baseball network before her return to Canada later that year.
Return to Sportsnet and recent roles
Hazel Mae's return to Canadian broadcasting was announced on September 19, 2011, marking a homecoming after seven years in the United States. She left MLB Network and officially rejoined Sportsnet, with her on-air debut confirmed during a Toronto Maple Leafs broadcast on November 3. Mae began anchoring the 6 p.m. edition of Sportsnet Connected on November 14, 2011, taking over a prime-time sports news slot. She served as the anchor for this program until July 1, 2015, when it was replaced by the talk show Tim & Sid, concluding a successful second stint as a flagship news anchor. Since then, Mae has continued her work with Sportsnet primarily as a field-level reporter for Toronto Blue Jays game broadcasts, providing live reports and interviews from the field and dugout. Her responsibilities expanded in 2022 when she also began working as a Field Level Reporter for TBS MLB Tuesday broadcasts, adding a U.S. national television role to her ongoing work in Canada.
Since her return to Sportsnet in 2011, Hazel Mae debuted as the anchor of the 6pm edition of Sportsnet Connected on November 14. She anchored that show until July 1, 2015, when it was replaced by Tim & Sid. She currently works on Sportsnet broadcasts of Toronto Blue Jays games as their field-level reporter. In 2022, she also began working as a Field Level Reporter for TBS MLB Tuesday.
- Anchor of Sportsnet Connected (6 p.m. edition) from November 14, 2011 to July 1, 2015.
- Field-level reporter for Sportsnet's Toronto Blue Jays game broadcasts (2011 to present).
- Field Level Reporter for TBS MLB Tuesday broadcasts starting in 2022.
Honours and recognition
Hazel Mae's career achievements were formally recognized with one of Canadian broadcasting's highest honours. In 2026, she was named the recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Award at the 14th Canadian Screen Awards. This award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, is a lifetime achievement award specifically for broadcast journalists. It acknowledges her decades of work and significant impact on sports journalism in Canada and beyond, from her early radio updates to national television hosting. The award solidified her status as one of the most respected and enduring figures in the industry, highlighting a career that has spanned multiple networks and roles.
Hazel Mae was the lead anchor for NESN's SportsDesk from December 2004 to June 2008. In August 2008, it was announced she would become a host and reporter on MLB Network. She returned to Sportsnet in November 2011 after leaving MLB Network. In 2026, she was named the recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Award, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's lifetime achievement award for broadcast journalists, at the 14th Canadian Screen Awards.
- Nomination for president of Red Sox Nation during her NESN tenure (2004 to 2008).
- Host of multiple flagship programs across Sportsnet, NESN, and MLB Network, including SportsDesk, JZone, and The Rundown.
- Recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Award for lifetime achievement in broadcast journalism in 2026.
- Long-serving field reporter for Toronto Blue Jays broadcasts on Sportsnet since 2011.
- Field reporter for TBS MLB Tuesday broadcasts beginning in 2022.
Personal life and family
Hazel Mae is married to Kevin Barker, a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for several teams including the Milwaukee Brewers and the Toronto Blue Jays. The couple has one son together named Chase, and their family life is connected to the baseball world through Kevin's professional career. Professionally, she uses the name Hazel Mae, while her legal surname is Barker, reflecting her married name. Her family background, with a Filipino father who immigrated to Canada, and her marriage to a former MLB player have kept her closely connected to both international and professional sports communities throughout her personal and professional life.
Career timeline and network affiliations
Hazel Mae began her sports broadcasting career hosting a sports update show on campus at York University. She started her tenure at Rogers Sportsnet providing sports updates to its radio affiliates throughout Ontario. She anchored the morning edition of Sportsnetnews and hosted the weekly Toronto Blue Jays magazine show JZone. She subsequently moved to Boston to become the lead anchor for NESN's SportsDesk and hosted other programs like The Ultimate Red Sox Show.
| Period | Network/Affiliation | Primary Role/Show |
|---|---|---|
| Early Career | York University / Sportsnet Radio | Campus Sports Show Host / Radio Updates |
| Until 2004 | Rogers Sportsnet | Sportsnetnews Anchor / JZone Host |
| Dec 2004, Jun 2008 | NESN (New England) | SportsDesk Lead Anchor / Red Sox & Bruins Show Host |
| Aug 2008, Sep 2011 | MLB Network | Host/Reporter for MLB Tonight, Hot Stove, The Rundown |
| Nov 2011, Jul 2015 | Sportsnet | Sportsnet Connected (6 p.m.) Anchor |
| 2011, Present | Sportsnet | Blue Jays Field-Level Reporter |
| 2022, Present | TBS | MLB Tuesday Field-Level Reporter |
Her career progressed to a national U.S. network when she joined MLB Network in 2008, appearing on shows like Hot Stove and MLB Tonight. She later returned to Canada to anchor Sportsnet Connected. She has worked in roles ranging from daily news anchor on SportsDesk and Sportsnet Connected to a specialized field-level reporter for Blue Jays games and TBS. This shows her work across major sports networks in both Canada and the United States.
Questions about Hazel Mae
Where did Hazel Mae go to university?
Hazel Mae attended York University in Toronto. It was during her time on campus at York that she began her sports broadcasting career by hosting a sports update show. This early experience provided the foundation for her professional work in sports media. She completed her secondary education at St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in the Toronto area before enrolling at York.
When did Hazel Mae return to Sportsnet from MLB Network?
Hazel Mae's return to Sportsnet was announced on September 19, 2011. Her official on-air return date was November 14, 2011, when she began anchoring the 6 p.m. edition of Sportsnet Connected. The announcement of her debut was made during a Toronto Maple Leafs game broadcast on November 3, 2011. She had previously left Sportsnet in 2004 to work for NESN in Boston before joining MLB Network.
What award did Hazel Mae win in 2026?
In 2026, Hazel Mae was awarded the Gordon Sinclair Award. This is a lifetime achievement award presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to broadcast journalists. She received the honour at the 14th Canadian Screen Awards. The award recognizes her decades-long career and significant contributions to sports broadcasting in Canada.
Who is Hazel Mae married to?
Hazel Mae is married to Kevin Barker, a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Kevin Barker played for several teams during his career, including the Milwaukee Brewers and the Toronto Blue Jays. The couple has one son together named Chase. Her legal surname is Barker, though she is known professionally as Hazel Mae.
What is Hazel Mae's role with the Toronto Blue Jays?
Hazel Mae currently works as a field-level reporter for Sportsnet's broadcasts of Toronto Blue Jays games. In this role, she provides live reports, interviews, and insights from the field and dugout during games. She has held this position since her return to Sportsnet in 2011, following her earlier tenure hosting the Blue Jays magazine show JZone. Her work brings viewers closer to the on-field action and player perspectives.
What shows did Hazel Mae host on NESN?
During her time at NESN in Boston from 2004 to 2008, Hazel Mae hosted several programs. She was the lead anchor for the network's flagship news program, SportsDesk. She hosted The Ultimate Red Sox Show, a weekly review program for the baseball team. She also presented The Buzz, which was a top-ten style show focusing on the Boston Bruins during the NHL season.
Sources and further reading
- Hazel Mae (Wikipedia)
- Hazel Mae (canadianimmigrant.ca)
- Hazel Mae (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
- Wordfest presents Hazel Mae (wordfest.com)
Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-22.
