Photo: NBC Sports Washington

Every Capitals fan has likely heard the spectacular and captivating play-by-play commentary of NBC Sports Washington broadcaster Joe Beninati, who along with color analyst Craig Laughlin, has been calling Capitals’ TV broadcasts for nearly 25 years. Today, the National Sports Media Association named Joe the D.C. Sportscaster of the Year for 2017.The award, which is given to the best sports broadcaster in a particular region of the country is given by the National Sports Media Association, which is a non-profit organization that has honored excellence in sports media since 1959.

Shortly after the award was announced, Joe’s coworkers and colleagues tweeted their congratulations to the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, including Laughlin, who has been working with Joe since 1994, and Al Koken, who has been covering the Capitals for over 30 years, among others. Joe himself also tweeted his appreciation for receiving the award. Joe has won the D.C. Sportscaster of the Year Award before (2015) from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, as well as eight Emmy Awards, among many other honors and awards.

This is a special honor for a special person! The best in the biz and I am very fortunate to work with him .Congrats @JoeBpXp @NBCSWashington @MonSportsNet https://t.co/yRyDRjO00E

— Craig Laughlin (@Laughlin18) January 16, 2018

Way to go @JoeBpXp and @MarkZuckerman. Well deserved, gentlemen! https://t.co/PaKh3Gt01A

— Al Koken (@RealSmokinAl) January 16, 2018

I’m extremely honored by this award and appreciate it very much! Many thanks go out to @NSMASportsMedia and all those who voted. Congratulations to all the state, national, and Hall of Fame selections!! https://t.co/JUWRXGE7sD

— Joe Beninati (@JoeBpXp) January 16, 2018

It is certainly a well-deserved honor for the game’s best (in my and many other Caps faithful opinion) play-by-play announcer and NoVa Caps congratulates Joe on receiving the honor!

By Michael Fleetwood