PHIL RIZZUTO (WPIX)
1994 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM CAPTAIN
JUSTICE IS SERVED ... PHIL RIZZUTO ENTERS THE HALL
"Equal and exact justice to all men ... "
-Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, 1801
"Yankee fans, you of the great legion of Rizzuto admirers, raise the flag of Justice Triumphant.
Let it wave over kids in sandlots, rookie hopefuls in rinkydink ballparks, opulent major leaguers in massive stadiums, downy-cheeked Little Leaguers dreaming of the bigs.
In one voice sing out the good news that our Scooter,
Our Yankee legend and poet of the airwaves,
Our acrobatic, sure-handed shortstop from those shining days when it was great to be young and a Yankee,
The incomparable, the one and only Phillip Francis Rizzuto has made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame!
They gave Phil Rizzuto a 'Day,' at Yankee Stadium back on September 15, 1955, a happy occasion abounding with gifts from Phil's cherishing fans, speeches by dignitaries, and, to top it off, an exemplary gesture from Phil himself. When he accepted a check intended from his fans, he immediately signed it over to his hometown Hillside High School to establish the Phil Rizzuto Scholarship Fund (it still exists and grows) for deserving students.
A class act from a class guy and a great ballplayer during every moment of his wonderful Yankee years.
New York Times writer Joseph Sheehan wrote that day, 'Stadium fans have come to appreciate that Phil Rizzuto is a Yankee of heroic stature, destined for future enshrinement in Baseball's Hall of Fame.' Sheehan had the right idea, as no doubt did Phil's appreciative teammates and millions of fans. But who in his right mind would have thought it would take 38 long and frustrating years before the Scooter was enshrined in the Cooperstown Pantheon?
Whatever Phil thought of the years of stinging rejection, he never let it show. He was too big in heart to complain; too much a gentleman to grumble about the serial dismissal of his wonderful talents, his stats, his contributions to Yankee history and the lore of baseball. And too busy adding to his reputation as a winner by establishing himself as a unique personality in the broadcasting booth.
Still, despite his years of glory as the best Yankee shortstop ever, there was that unaccountable failure to vote Rizzuto into the exclusive company of baseball's immortals. When Pee Wee Reese, the great Dodger shortstop and Phil's contemporary, was voted into the Hall in 1984, Phil applauded the choice even as his supporters pointed out that Phil's stats and value to his club certainly matched Pee Wee's. As for Reese, though gratified when told he'd been chosen to the Hall, he was also puzzled by Phil's rejection. 'He called me to tell me how sorry he was,' Phil told Times writer Dave Anderson.
But rejection was nothing new to Phil; indeed, his pro ball career began with rebuffs that might have disheartened a lesser man. Like the immortal Lou Gehrig, Phil is one of New York City's gifts to the Yankees: his road to the Hall of Fame began on the streets and sandlots of New York. Born September 25, 1917 to immigrant parents, he grew up in Brooklyn.
Recalling his childhood he said, 'When I was a kid we used to choose up sides,' to play in the streets and local Brooklyn and Queens leagues. 'I got experience playing on those bad fields with rocks all over the infield,' experience that helped him snare erratic big league baseballs when they were rapped his way.
From rock-strewn sandlots he moved to Richmond Hills High School where he came under the aegis of coach Al Kunitz, a man Rizzuto still speaks of with esteem and gratitude.
'He's the one man who taught me how to bunt,' Phil explained (Phil is an acknowledged master of bunting). 'Kunitz would say, 'You're not going to hit home runs.' But he knew I was a pretty good fielder, and could run, and could steal bases. 'Your value will be getting on base so somebody can drive you in.' He gave me a lot of little things that helped me. Like never swearing, and never to get thrown out of a ball game.'
The astute Kunitz asked his prize pupil what he said when getting mad or excited. 'I usually say 'Holy Cow,'' answered Phil. 'Well, use that if you have an argument with an umpire,' advised Kunitz. 'They can't throw you out for saying that.' So Phil took his 'Holy Cow' with him throughout his major league career, into the broadcast booth- and into the American language.
Phil was only 4-11 when he played at Richmond Hill, hardly the typical image of the strapping ballplayer, but he wouldn't let his small size keep him out of pro ball. Not even when confronted by two dopey rejections from a couple of baseball eminences. With his trusty glove under his arm, and courage in his heart, the diminutive 18-year-old presented himself for a tryout at Ebbets Field.
Casey Stengel, then managing the Dodgers from the purgatory of the second division, looked at the youngster and snidely dismissed him with, 'Get yourself a shoe shine box, kid. You're too small.'
'I'd remind Casey when he managed the Yankees,' said the Scooter years later (of the shoe shine crack). 'He didn't like it because he was supposed to be such a great judge of talent. At the Polo Grounds, Giant manager Bill Terry matched Casey's bad judgment, though not his sarcasm. Though friendly, Terry didn't even let Phil try out. But across the river at Yankee Stadium, the Bombers were more hospitable and certainly smarter.
In his autobiography, My Fifty Years in Baseball, Yankee business manager Ed Barrow writes, 'In the very first group of youngsters who showed up, Phil Rizzuto was among them.' To fortify them for the ordeal, Barrow ordered that each kid be given two sandwiches and a bottle of milk while waiting to demonstrate his skills. 'Rizzuto was signed after that first turnout,' related Barrow, 'and since he had only one sandwich and a bottle of milk, we always figured we had got him for twenty cents.'
The mind reels and the cash register breaks down at the thought of what clubs would be offering Phil today.
Rizzuto's father pinned a $20 bill to his undershirt, told him to watch out for thieves and sent him south with misgiving and, finally, his blessing. 'He said he was going to let my try,' recalls Phil, 'and if I didn't make it right away, 'You've got to go to work.' He thought it was a little kids' game.'
The train ride south to play a kid's game was an obscure, lonely beginning, but the start of a journey to fame and fortune for Papa Rizzuto's son.
Through Barrow was generous with milk and sandwiches, he was sparing with hard cash. Phil spent 1937 in Bassett, hit .310 and played a spectacular short to help the club to a pennant- all for a paltry $75 a month. 1938 saw him in Norfolk, VA where he whacked the ball for a .336 batting average and swept up grounders like a famished bobcat going after prey. Naturally, Norfolk won the pennant.
In 1939 and 1940 the lucky citizens of Triple-A Kansas City watched Phil- by now all of 5-6- continue his outstanding fielding and hit .316 and .347. And did Kansas City win pennants in the Rizzuto years? Of course they did. It was in KC that teammate Billy Hitchcock nicknamed Phil 'The Scooter.' The name was appropriate and it stuck. A scooter might be a wheeled contraption for kids, but everybody, in and out of baseball, knows it really means a great shortstop named Rizzuto.
In 1941 Phil came to St. Petersburg, FL, then the Bomber training camp, and showed he was ready for the bigs. Frank Crosetti had masterfully covered short for the great 1930's Yankees but was slowing down. 'I was coming to take Crosetti's job,' recalled Phil. 'I wasn't exactly ostracized, but wasn't accepted. I was having big trouble getting into the batter's cage.'
The freeze-out didn't last. 'After four or five days DiMaggio came over and said, 'Look, let the kid in there to take his turn.' That broke the ice; Joe took me under his wing,' Rizzuto explains. So did Crosetti.
A no-nonsense guy and a superb future Yankee coach, the 'Crow' taught Phil how to hit and run, tricky plays with the bunt, how to position himself for major league hitters, even how to get hit with the ball without getting hurt. Employing Crosetti's baseball savvy, Phil said, '(I got) a lot of extra base hits I'd never have gotten.'
Those extra hits added up to a .307 batting average in 1941 and a .284 BA in 1942. Estimable as those averages were, it was Phil's fielding that triggered the fans cheering him and writers depicting him an infield marvel. That the Bombers won pennants in '41 and '42 was in great measure due to Phil's performance. In the 4-1 Yankee victory over the Dodgers in the 1941 Series, he continued his great play by handling 30 out of 31 chances. And although the Yankees dropped the 1942 Series to the Cards, Phil led the club with a hefty .381 batting average.
The day after the 1942 Series, Phil enlisted in the Navy. He served until the end of 1945, getting malaria in a jungle hell-hole, and came home to play 126 games in 1946 while hitting a malaria-weakened sub-par .257. But in 1947 the pre-war Scooter revived and once more cavorted at short for a Yankee championship club, as his exceptional numbers accumulated towards Hall of Fame levels.
In the '47 Series he hit .308 and was a key player in the Yankees' memorable seven-game World Series win over Brooklyn. From 1949 to 1952, Phil led the league in sacrifice hits. 1949 saw him hit a neat .275, field at a .971 clip and lead the Yankees in games played, hits, runs, doubles and total bases- and he was named Player of the Year by the baseball writers. And his manager from 1949 until Phil was released in 1956 was Casey Stengel.
In 1950 Phil was named the AL's Most Valuable Player and got the first Hickok Belt Award for Best Professional Athlete. He also garnered 200 hits and batted a rousing .324 that banner year. In the 1951 Series against the Giants, Phil accepted a record 40 chances, hit .320, was chosen Outstanding Series Player and given the Babe Ruth Award.
Phil appeared in five All-Star Games and starred on ten pennant winners and nine World Series winners. By the time he hung up the spikes in 1956, he was acknowledged as one of a select group of baseball's great shortstops.
No wonder manager Stengel gladly ate a plate of crow when he called Phil 'the greatest shortstop I have seen in my entire baseball career.' A judgment concurred by Pee Wee Reese when he said in 1972, 'Phil is the greatest shortstop I have ever seen.' High praise, indeed. Praise concurred by those who recall Phil's exceptional Yankee career, and by the millions of knowledgeable fans who have always felt that Phil belongs in the company of baseball's highest achievers.
Now that our inimitable Scooter, a Yankee natural, a man whose name has become a household word, will stand before an audience of notables at the Baseball Hall of Fame and accept an honor long overdue. He'll be enshrined with Pee Wee, Boudreau, Tinker and other great shortstops. And whatever he says on that great occasion when he takes his place alongside DiMaggio, Mickey, Yogi and other great Yankees will surely reflect the man and his estimable character.
But somehow the eight lines he spoke when covering a game on June 27, 1991, a spontaneous poem now immortalized in Phil's book of verse, Oh Holy Cow! also seems appropriate:
'Never!
That-
Never!
I shouldn't say 'Never.'
Even James Bond said
'Never say never.'
That was a hit.
Right?'
Right, Phil. And never turned out to be now.
Gentlemen of the Veterans Committee, you've not only honored Phillip Francis Rizzuto, but also served the cause of Justice. And all of baseball is in your debt."
-Leo Trachtenberg, The New York Yankees Official 1994 Yearbook
"Yankee baseball in 1994 will be broadcast for the 56th consecutive season. Madison Square Garden Network is beginning its sixth season as the team's television outlet, and WABC Radio (770 AM) for the 14th straight year is leading the Yanks' radio network as the flagship station. A network covering 12 states also participates in the Yankees' television and radio coverage. For the 25th straight season, Yankee games will be broadcast in Spanish to Latin America.
Leon Schweir will produce MSG broadcasts for the sixth season and WABC producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 14th season."
-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide
DEWAYNE STAATS (MSG)
"Staats returns for his fifth season on MSG. He previously had served as the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs and for the Houston Astros."
-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide
TONY KUBEK (MSG)
"Kubek returns for his fifth season on MSG. He spent 24 years working for NBC and the Game of the Week alongside Curt Gowdy, Joe Garagiola and Jim Simpson. He also spent 13 seasons as a broadcaster for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Kubek played shortstop for the Yankees from 1957-65 and participated in six World Series [including three Yankee World Championships]."
-1994 New York Yankees Information Guide
No information about the WPIX-TV broadcast team was given in either the New York Yankees Official 1994 Yearbook or the 1994 New York Yankees Information Guide.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
1995 New York Yankees Broadcasters
"Yankees baseball in 1995 will be broadcast for the 57th consecutive season. WPIX-TV (Channel 11) will broadcast games locally for the 45th straight season, and Madison Square Garden Network is beginning its seventh season in a row as the team's cable TV outlet. WABC Radio (770 AM) for the 15th consecutive year is leading the Yankees' radio network as the flagship station.
Director/producer John Moore begins his 16th season at WPIX, Leon Schweir will produce MSG broadcasts for the seventh season and WABC producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 15th season."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
PHIL RIZZUTO (WPIX)
"The one and only Scooter, the greatest shortstop in Yankees history, is in his 39th year of giving viewers the inside word on the Bronx Bombers. The 1994 Hall of Famer moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). His dedication to the Yankees overflows during broadcasts, which always translates into fun for fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Rizzuto begins his 55th season with the Yankees, including his 39th as a broadcaster. The 1950 American League MVP moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). He hit .273 with 149 stolen bases in 1,661 major league games and at shortstop anchored the Yankees infield during their record five consecutive World Championships from 1949-53. The Scooter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in February 1994."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOBBY MURCER (WPIX)
"Murcer, one of the most popular Yankees of his era, returns for his seventh season and sixth consecutive as a Yankees broadcaster on WPIX. Murcer has found much success working in the broadcast booth since completing his playing career, and fans are always excited to see this familiar face talking Yankees baseball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Murcer, the most popular Yankee of his era (1969-83), is in his seventh season overall in the WPIX booth. He also has broadcast experience with WABC Radio, Sportschannel and Madison Square Garden Network. In 17 major league seasons, hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI in 1,908 games for the Yankees, Giants and Cubs. Murcer ranks 13th on the team's all-time home run list. He retired in 1983, clearing a roster spot for Don Mattingly."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
PAUL OLDEN (WPIX)
"Olden is in his second season in the WPIX broadcast booth with partners Rizzuto and Murcer. He has also been heard for the past two seasons as the play-by-play voice of the New York Jets. Olden's smooth delivery and deep baseball knowledge were welcomed by fans in 1994 as they will be this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Olden has also been the play-by-play voice of the New York Jets the past two seasons and has anchored SportsDesk on MSG. He has worked at ESPN and CBS Sports in addition to calling games for the Indians, Angels, Los Angeles Rams and UCLA basketball and football."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
DAVE COHEN (MSG)
"Cohen, most recently the radio man for the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Triple-A club, embarks on his first season as an announcer for MSG Network. A graduate of Brooklyn's Stuyvesant High School [and of Syracuse University], he has also served as the play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Cohen graduated from Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School [and from Syracuse University] and has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams and as the radio man for the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Class-AAA club. He worked briefly at Channel 7 in 1980, and in 1982 was a Washington Bullets television announcer."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"Kaat, like Cohen entering his rookie season at MSG, has served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS, and as a team announcer for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93).
Kaat went 283-237 with a 3.45 ERA in 898 games (ninth all-time) covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals (1959-83)."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Kaat went 283-237 with a 3.45 ERA in 898 appearances (ninth all-time) covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals (1959-83). From 1962-77 the left-hander won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves as the league's best fielding pitcher.
He has served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS and as a team broadcaster for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93). Kaat spent the 1994 season as an analyst for ESPN, and from 1984-93 worked the College World Series for ESPN and CBS. He was Cincinnati's pitching coach in 1985."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE PALERMO (MSG)
"A former American League umpire and a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Steve brings his articulate insight to MSG's 'Yankees Scorecard,' providing periodic feature reports. He will also serve as a backup color analyst.
Steve began his broadcasting career in 1992 calling Seattle Mariners games, and in 1994 he was named one of the analysts for The Baseball Network."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Former American League umpire Steve Palermo will join the MSG Network broadcast team. He was an umpire from 1977-91.
On July 7, 1991 Steve was helping two waitresses who were being mugged outside a Dallas restaurant when he was shot in the back and partially paralyzed. He has broadcast Mariners and Baseball Network games."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
BEAT REPORTERS COVERING THE YANKEES (from 1995 New York Yankees Information Guide)
Jeff Bradley (New York Daily News)
Don Burke (Newark Star-Ledger)
Jack Curry (New York Times)
Bob Hertzel (Bergen Record)
Dave Lennon (New York Newsday)
Jack O'Connell (Hartford Courant)
Tom Pedulla (Gannett Suburban Newspapers)
Director/producer John Moore begins his 16th season at WPIX, Leon Schweir will produce MSG broadcasts for the seventh season and WABC producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 15th season."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
PHIL RIZZUTO (WPIX)
"The one and only Scooter, the greatest shortstop in Yankees history, is in his 39th year of giving viewers the inside word on the Bronx Bombers. The 1994 Hall of Famer moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). His dedication to the Yankees overflows during broadcasts, which always translates into fun for fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Rizzuto begins his 55th season with the Yankees, including his 39th as a broadcaster. The 1950 American League MVP moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). He hit .273 with 149 stolen bases in 1,661 major league games and at shortstop anchored the Yankees infield during their record five consecutive World Championships from 1949-53. The Scooter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in February 1994."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOBBY MURCER (WPIX)
"Murcer, one of the most popular Yankees of his era, returns for his seventh season and sixth consecutive as a Yankees broadcaster on WPIX. Murcer has found much success working in the broadcast booth since completing his playing career, and fans are always excited to see this familiar face talking Yankees baseball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Murcer, the most popular Yankee of his era (1969-83), is in his seventh season overall in the WPIX booth. He also has broadcast experience with WABC Radio, Sportschannel and Madison Square Garden Network. In 17 major league seasons, hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI in 1,908 games for the Yankees, Giants and Cubs. Murcer ranks 13th on the team's all-time home run list. He retired in 1983, clearing a roster spot for Don Mattingly."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
PAUL OLDEN (WPIX)
"Olden is in his second season in the WPIX broadcast booth with partners Rizzuto and Murcer. He has also been heard for the past two seasons as the play-by-play voice of the New York Jets. Olden's smooth delivery and deep baseball knowledge were welcomed by fans in 1994 as they will be this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Olden has also been the play-by-play voice of the New York Jets the past two seasons and has anchored SportsDesk on MSG. He has worked at ESPN and CBS Sports in addition to calling games for the Indians, Angels, Los Angeles Rams and UCLA basketball and football."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
DAVE COHEN (MSG)
"Cohen, most recently the radio man for the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Triple-A club, embarks on his first season as an announcer for MSG Network. A graduate of Brooklyn's Stuyvesant High School [and of Syracuse University], he has also served as the play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Cohen graduated from Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School [and from Syracuse University] and has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams and as the radio man for the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Class-AAA club. He worked briefly at Channel 7 in 1980, and in 1982 was a Washington Bullets television announcer."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"Kaat, like Cohen entering his rookie season at MSG, has served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS, and as a team announcer for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93).
Kaat went 283-237 with a 3.45 ERA in 898 games (ninth all-time) covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals (1959-83)."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Kaat went 283-237 with a 3.45 ERA in 898 appearances (ninth all-time) covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals (1959-83). From 1962-77 the left-hander won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves as the league's best fielding pitcher.
He has served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS and as a team broadcaster for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93). Kaat spent the 1994 season as an analyst for ESPN, and from 1984-93 worked the College World Series for ESPN and CBS. He was Cincinnati's pitching coach in 1985."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE PALERMO (MSG)
"A former American League umpire and a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Steve brings his articulate insight to MSG's 'Yankees Scorecard,' providing periodic feature reports. He will also serve as a backup color analyst.
Steve began his broadcasting career in 1992 calling Seattle Mariners games, and in 1994 he was named one of the analysts for The Baseball Network."
-The New York Yankees Official 1995 Yearbook
"Former American League umpire Steve Palermo will join the MSG Network broadcast team. He was an umpire from 1977-91.
On July 7, 1991 Steve was helping two waitresses who were being mugged outside a Dallas restaurant when he was shot in the back and partially paralyzed. He has broadcast Mariners and Baseball Network games."
-1995 New York Yankees Information Guide
BEAT REPORTERS COVERING THE YANKEES (from 1995 New York Yankees Information Guide)
Jeff Bradley (New York Daily News)
Don Burke (Newark Star-Ledger)
Jack Curry (New York Times)
Bob Hertzel (Bergen Record)
Dave Lennon (New York Newsday)
Jack O'Connell (Hartford Courant)
Tom Pedulla (Gannett Suburban Newspapers)
Monday, April 18, 2016
1996 New York Yankees Broadcasters
"Yankees baseball in 1996 will be broadcast for the 58th consecutive season. WPIX-TV (Channel 11) will broadcast games locally for the 46th straight season, and Madison Square Garden Network is beginning its eighth season in a row as the team's cable TV outlet. WABC Radio (770 AM) for the 16th consecutive year is leading the Yankees' radio network as the flagship station.
Director/producer John Moore begins his 17th season at WPIX, Leon Schweir will produce MSG broadcasts for the eighth season and WABC producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 16th season."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"Embarking on his second season with Dave Cohen at MSG, Kaat, a former major league pitcher, has also served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS. His broadcasting includes stints as an announcer for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93).
Kaat retired in 1983 with a 283-237 record and a 3.45 ERA in 898 games (fifth all-time) covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Kaat went 283-237 with a 3.45 ERA in 898 appearances covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals (1959-83). From 1962-77 the left-hander won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves as the league's best fielding pitcher.
He has served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS and as a team broadcaster for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93). Kaat spent the 1994 season as an analyst for ESPN, and from 1984-93 worked the College World Series for ESPN and CBS. He was Cincinnati's pitching coach in 1985."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
DAVE COHEN (MSG)
"Nicknamed 'Coney Island Dave' after growing up in Brooklyn, Cohen enters his second season as an announcer for MSG. Prior to joining MSG, Cohen spent 12 seasons, from 1982 to 1994, as the television play-by-play voice of the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Triple-A affiliate.
A graduate of Stuyvesant High School in NYC [and of Syracuse University], he also served as the play-by-play voice for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Cohen graduated from Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School [and from Syracuse University] and has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams and as the radio man for the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Class-AAA club. He worked briefly at Channel 7 in 1980, and in 1982 was a Washington Bullets television announcer."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE PALERMO
"The former 15-year American League umpire starts his second year with MSG's 'Yankees Scorecard.' The native of Worcester, Massachusetts shares his insight in providing periodic feature reports including game regulations and rulings from the umpire's point of view. Palermo will also continue to serve as a backup color analyst.
Palermo began his broadcasting career in 1992 as a periodic analyst calling Seattle Mariners games, and in 1994 he was named one of the color analysts for The Baseball Network."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
PHIL RIZZUTO (WPIX)
"The one and only Scooter, the greatest shortstop in Yankees history, is in his 40th year of giving viewers the inside word on the Bronx Bombers. The 1994 Hall of Famer moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). His dedication to the Yankees manifests itself during broadcasts, which always translates into fun for fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Rizzuto begins his 56th season with the Yankees, including his 40th as a broadcaster. The 1950 American League MVP moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). He hit .273 with 149 stolen bases in 1,661 major league games and at shortstop anchored the Yankees infield during their record five consecutive World Championships from 1949-53. The Scooter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOBBY MURCER (WPIX)
"Murcer, one of the most popular Yankees of his era, returns for his eighth season and seventh consecutive as a Yankees broadcaster on WPIX. Murcer has found much success working in the broadcast booth since completing his playing career, and fans are always excited to see this familiar face talking Yankees baseball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Murcer, the most popular Yankee of his era (1969-83), is in his eighth season overall in the WPIX booth. He also has broadcast experience with WABC Radio, Sportschannel and Madison Square Garden Network. In 17 major league seasons, hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI in 1,908 games for the Yankees, Giants and Cubs. Murcer ranks 13th on the team's all-time home run list. He retired in 1983, clearing a roster spot for Don Mattingly."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
RICK CERONE (WPIX)
"The former Yankees All-Star catcher has traded in his bat for the microphone as he makes his WPIX broadcasting debut. Cerone joins former teammate Bobby Murcer (1980-83) in relaying all the action on the field.
He has co-hosted 'Inside Pitch' with Jim Hunter for CBS Radio and has served as an announcer on The Baseball Network and on Empire Sports Network. In addition, he has worked as a color commentator for the Arizona Fall League."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
PAUL OLDEN (WPIX)
"Olden is in his third season in the WPIX broadcast booth and will announce approximately eight games during the 1996 season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Olden has also been the play-by-play voice of the New York Jets the past three seasons and has anchored SportsDesk on MSG. He has worked at ESPN and CBS Sports in addition to calling games for the Indians, Angels, Los Angeles Rams and UCLA basketball and football."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
Director/producer John Moore begins his 17th season at WPIX, Leon Schweir will produce MSG broadcasts for the eighth season and WABC producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 16th season."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"Embarking on his second season with Dave Cohen at MSG, Kaat, a former major league pitcher, has also served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS. His broadcasting includes stints as an announcer for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93).
Kaat retired in 1983 with a 283-237 record and a 3.45 ERA in 898 games (fifth all-time) covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Kaat went 283-237 with a 3.45 ERA in 898 appearances covering 25 seasons with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals (1959-83). From 1962-77 the left-hander won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves as the league's best fielding pitcher.
He has served nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN and CBS and as a team broadcaster for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93). Kaat spent the 1994 season as an analyst for ESPN, and from 1984-93 worked the College World Series for ESPN and CBS. He was Cincinnati's pitching coach in 1985."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
DAVE COHEN (MSG)
"Nicknamed 'Coney Island Dave' after growing up in Brooklyn, Cohen enters his second season as an announcer for MSG. Prior to joining MSG, Cohen spent 12 seasons, from 1982 to 1994, as the television play-by-play voice of the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Triple-A affiliate.
A graduate of Stuyvesant High School in NYC [and of Syracuse University], he also served as the play-by-play voice for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Cohen graduated from Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School [and from Syracuse University] and has served as the play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams and as the radio man for the Syracuse Chiefs, Toronto's Class-AAA club. He worked briefly at Channel 7 in 1980, and in 1982 was a Washington Bullets television announcer."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
STEVE PALERMO
"The former 15-year American League umpire starts his second year with MSG's 'Yankees Scorecard.' The native of Worcester, Massachusetts shares his insight in providing periodic feature reports including game regulations and rulings from the umpire's point of view. Palermo will also continue to serve as a backup color analyst.
Palermo began his broadcasting career in 1992 as a periodic analyst calling Seattle Mariners games, and in 1994 he was named one of the color analysts for The Baseball Network."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
PHIL RIZZUTO (WPIX)
"The one and only Scooter, the greatest shortstop in Yankees history, is in his 40th year of giving viewers the inside word on the Bronx Bombers. The 1994 Hall of Famer moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). His dedication to the Yankees manifests itself during broadcasts, which always translates into fun for fans."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Rizzuto begins his 56th season with the Yankees, including his 40th as a broadcaster. The 1950 American League MVP moved into the broadcast booth immediately following his playing career (1941-56). He hit .273 with 149 stolen bases in 1,661 major league games and at shortstop anchored the Yankees infield during their record five consecutive World Championships from 1949-53. The Scooter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
BOBBY MURCER (WPIX)
"Murcer, one of the most popular Yankees of his era, returns for his eighth season and seventh consecutive as a Yankees broadcaster on WPIX. Murcer has found much success working in the broadcast booth since completing his playing career, and fans are always excited to see this familiar face talking Yankees baseball."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Murcer, the most popular Yankee of his era (1969-83), is in his eighth season overall in the WPIX booth. He also has broadcast experience with WABC Radio, Sportschannel and Madison Square Garden Network. In 17 major league seasons, hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI in 1,908 games for the Yankees, Giants and Cubs. Murcer ranks 13th on the team's all-time home run list. He retired in 1983, clearing a roster spot for Don Mattingly."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
RICK CERONE (WPIX)
"The former Yankees All-Star catcher has traded in his bat for the microphone as he makes his WPIX broadcasting debut. Cerone joins former teammate Bobby Murcer (1980-83) in relaying all the action on the field.
He has co-hosted 'Inside Pitch' with Jim Hunter for CBS Radio and has served as an announcer on The Baseball Network and on Empire Sports Network. In addition, he has worked as a color commentator for the Arizona Fall League."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
PAUL OLDEN (WPIX)
"Olden is in his third season in the WPIX broadcast booth and will announce approximately eight games during the 1996 season."
-The New York Yankees Official 1996 Yearbook
"Olden has also been the play-by-play voice of the New York Jets the past three seasons and has anchored SportsDesk on MSG. He has worked at ESPN and CBS Sports in addition to calling games for the Indians, Angels, Los Angeles Rams and UCLA basketball and football."
-1996 New York Yankees Information Guide
Monday, April 4, 2016
1997 New York Yankees Broadcasters
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NETWORK
"Madison Square Garden Network is beginning its ninth consecutive season as the team's cable TV outlet. In 1997, MSG Network acquired the rights to the Yankees' radio broadcasts, which will air on WABC Radio, 770 AM (the 17th consecutive year as the flagship station).
MSG Radio producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 17th season."
-1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"One of the most respected and talented analysts in the game, former major league pitcher Jim Kaat has quickly established himself as MSG's baseball expert. While Kaat primarily served as color analyst in his first two seasons with MSG, this season he will split his duties between color commentary and play-by-play.
Remarkably, after only one season in the MSG Network booth, he was nominated for a New York Emmy in the 'On-Camera-Achievement' category. His broadcasting includes stints as an announcer for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93)."
-1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook
BOBBY MURCER (MSG and WPIX)
"Longtime Yankees outfielder Bobby Murcer will join the MSG Network television booth this season after calling Yankees games on WPIX for the last seven years. Murcer will serve as a color analyst and will also call play-by-play.
He will contribute the viewpoint of a former left-handed hitter who not only followed in Mantle's footsteps, but also helped perpetuate the strength of the Yankees tradition in his 13 seasons with the team. Murcer has found much success working in the broadcast booth upon completion of his playing career, and fans are always excited to see this familiar face talking Yankee baseball."
-1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook
KEN SINGLETON (MSG)
"Entering his first year with the MSG Network, Ken Singleton will divide his time between calling play-by-play and providing color commentary.
Throughout his 15-year major league career as an outfielder and DH, Singleton established himself as a consistent power hitter. He will team with Kaat and Murcer to provide Yankees viewers with analysis from the standpoint of both a hitter and a fielder.
Singleton joins MSG from The Sports Network (TSN), where he served as color analyst for the Montreal Expos from 1985-96. For the past six years, he also called play-by-play and served as color analyst for CIQC-TV, the Expos' flagship radio network."
-1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook
RICK CERONE
"The former [Sporting News] All-Star Yankees catcher embarks on his first season in the MSG booth, coming from WPIX where he called 50 Yankees games last season. Cerone will serve as color analyst for 25 select games this season.
Cerone has been an occasional analyst for MSG SportsDesk in addition to co-hosting Inside Pitch with Jim Hunter for CBS Radio, and has also served as an announcer for The Baseball Network and Empire Sports Network."
-1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
STEVE PALERMO
"The native of Worcester, Massachusetts enters his third season as a contributor to 'Yankees Scorecard', providing periodic feature reports for MSG Network. The former 15-year American League umpire will provide analysis of the middle innings for select games, including game regulations and rulings from the umpire's point of view. Palermo will also serve as a backup color analyst and contribute to the Post-Game Report."
-1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
The Yankees Spanish language broadcasters were not listed in either the 1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook or the 1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide.
"Madison Square Garden Network is beginning its ninth consecutive season as the team's cable TV outlet. In 1997, MSG Network acquired the rights to the Yankees' radio broadcasts, which will air on WABC Radio, 770 AM (the 17th consecutive year as the flagship station).
MSG Radio producer/engineer Brian Fergenson is in his 17th season."
-1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"One of the most respected and talented analysts in the game, former major league pitcher Jim Kaat has quickly established himself as MSG's baseball expert. While Kaat primarily served as color analyst in his first two seasons with MSG, this season he will split his duties between color commentary and play-by-play.
Remarkably, after only one season in the MSG Network booth, he was nominated for a New York Emmy in the 'On-Camera-Achievement' category. His broadcasting includes stints as an announcer for the Yankees on WPIX (1986), Atlanta on WTBS (1987) and Minnesota on WCCO (1988-93)."
-1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook
BOBBY MURCER (MSG and WPIX)
"Longtime Yankees outfielder Bobby Murcer will join the MSG Network television booth this season after calling Yankees games on WPIX for the last seven years. Murcer will serve as a color analyst and will also call play-by-play.
He will contribute the viewpoint of a former left-handed hitter who not only followed in Mantle's footsteps, but also helped perpetuate the strength of the Yankees tradition in his 13 seasons with the team. Murcer has found much success working in the broadcast booth upon completion of his playing career, and fans are always excited to see this familiar face talking Yankee baseball."
-1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook
KEN SINGLETON (MSG)
"Entering his first year with the MSG Network, Ken Singleton will divide his time between calling play-by-play and providing color commentary.
Throughout his 15-year major league career as an outfielder and DH, Singleton established himself as a consistent power hitter. He will team with Kaat and Murcer to provide Yankees viewers with analysis from the standpoint of both a hitter and a fielder.
Singleton joins MSG from The Sports Network (TSN), where he served as color analyst for the Montreal Expos from 1985-96. For the past six years, he also called play-by-play and served as color analyst for CIQC-TV, the Expos' flagship radio network."
-1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook
RICK CERONE
"The former [Sporting News] All-Star Yankees catcher embarks on his first season in the MSG booth, coming from WPIX where he called 50 Yankees games last season. Cerone will serve as color analyst for 25 select games this season.
Cerone has been an occasional analyst for MSG SportsDesk in addition to co-hosting Inside Pitch with Jim Hunter for CBS Radio, and has also served as an announcer for The Baseball Network and Empire Sports Network."
-1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
STEVE PALERMO
"The native of Worcester, Massachusetts enters his third season as a contributor to 'Yankees Scorecard', providing periodic feature reports for MSG Network. The former 15-year American League umpire will provide analysis of the middle innings for select games, including game regulations and rulings from the umpire's point of view. Palermo will also serve as a backup color analyst and contribute to the Post-Game Report."
-1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
The Yankees Spanish language broadcasters were not listed in either the 1997 New York Yankees Official Team Yearbook or the 1997 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
1998 New York Yankees Broadcasters
JIM KAAT (MSG)
"A highly respected and knowledgeable analyst, Jim Kaat begins his fourth year calling games for MSG. As a player, Kaat won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, but as a broadcaster he's just plain golden.
Last year, he was both a color analyst and a play-by-play announcer, as he split the two duties with Ken Singleton. He has established himself as MSG's resident expert on baseball and has garnered critical acclaim for his work.
His jobs in the broadcast booth have ranged from the chief analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight to calling games for CBS-TV, ABC Sports, The Baseball Network, WPIX-TV (1986), WTBS in Atlanta (1987) and WCCO in Minnesota (1988-93)."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"In his playing days, Kaat won 283 games in his 25-year playing career, posting a 3.45 ERA, and earned a record 16 Gold Gloves from 1962-77, a feat matched only by Brooks Robinson. His 898 appearances, covering four decades, places him 11th all-time.
He has worked nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN, CBS-TV, The Baseball Network and NBC Sports. Prior to joining MSG in 1995, Kaat spent a year as chief analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight as well as covering Yankee baseball for WPIX-TV in 1986, the Atlanta Braves on TBS in 1987 and the Minnesota Twins on WCCO from 1988-93."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
KEN SINGLETON (MSG)
"After a successful debut season as both a play-by-play announcer and a color analyst, Ken Singleton is back for his second year on MSG. He came to the Yankees from 'North of the Border' where he called games for the Montreal Expos on both the Sports Network and CIQC. In 1996, Singleton worked as the lead analyst for FOX Sports Saturday afternoon broadcasts.
With a deep baritone and expert insight, Singleton has quickly proven to be an important part of MSG's broadcast team."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"Singleton begins his second season behind the microphone for MSG calling Yankee games. He joined MSG from The Sports Network, where he served as color analyst for the Montreal Expos from 1985-96. Prior to that, he called play-by-play for six years on the Expos' flagship radio network, CIQC. He worked as the lead analyst for FOX Sports Saturday afternoon broadcasts in 1996.
In a 15-year career, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles, Singleton played in 2,082 games and batted .282 with 246 home runs and 1,065 RBI. In 1977 he set Oriole records by hitting .328 and accumulating a .438 on-base percentage."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
TOMMY JOHN (WPIX)
"The man who enjoyed two stints with the Yankees as a pitcher (1979-82 and 1986-89) is back in the Bronx as part of WPIX's broadcast team. John announced Minnesota Twins games from 1991-96 and coached high school baseball in Florida. The former pitcher will be reunited with his Yankee teammate Bobby Murcer on WPIX in 1998."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
BOBBY MURCER (MSG and WPIX)
"Former Yankees outfielder Bobby Murcer will bring his insight to both MSG and WPIX broadcasts in his 10th season as a color analyst.
He joined the broadcast booth after his retirement in 1983, and except for a one-year stint as Assistant General Manager for the Yankees, his slight southern drawl has been a popular fixture ever since. Murcer has called games on SportsChannel New York, MSG and WPIX, and was a broadcast partner of the late Phil Rizzuto. In 1989, the first year MSG carried Yankee games, Murcer was the first color commentator to call games on the network."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"Murcer once again will share the booth with Kaat and Singleton, contributing insight and commentary on both MSG and WPIX broadcasts. Murcer joined the Yankees broadcast booth after his retirement from the game in 1983, serving as color analyst for WABC-Radio from 1983-85. After serving a season as Assistant General Manager for the Yankees, he returned to the booth as color analyst for Yankees games on SportsChannel New York. In 1989, the first year of Yankees games on MSG, Murcer served as color commentator alongside Tommy Hutton. In 1990, he joined the WPIX broadcast team and continues to serve in that capacity.
Over a 17-year career, he played in 1,908 games, hitting .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI. He joined Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats [in one day]."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
LEON SCHWEIR and BILL WEBB (MSG Television)
"Leon Schweir is in his 10th season producing Yankees games on MSG Network and Bill Webb is in his seventh year as director of Yankees telecasts for MSG."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
MSG Spanish
"In August of 1996, MSG Network, in conjunction with the New York Yankees and Cablevision Systems of New York City, made all Yankees games on MSG available with Spanish audio. This service, called Secondary Audio Programming (SAP), made the Yankees the first franchise in New York sports history to offer such a service. This season, Beto Villa, Roberto Clemente, Jr. and Armando Talavera will once again call the action for Los Yankees En Espanol."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
ARMANDO TALAVERA (MSG Spanish)
"Talavera is the color commentator for the Spanish broadcasts and has been calling games since the 1975 World Series. He has also covered such events as the NBA finals and the Super Bowl."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
ROBERTO CLEMENTE, JR. (MSG Spanish)
"In his second year as a broadcaster, the son of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente brings his first-hand knowledge and experience from his baseball background to the broadcasts."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
BETO VILLA (MSG Spanish)
"A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Villa brings his vast knowledge of statistics to his role as the play-by-play announcer of the broadcasting trio. He has also worked as a co-producer and announcer for CBS Radio."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"A highly respected and knowledgeable analyst, Jim Kaat begins his fourth year calling games for MSG. As a player, Kaat won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, but as a broadcaster he's just plain golden.
Last year, he was both a color analyst and a play-by-play announcer, as he split the two duties with Ken Singleton. He has established himself as MSG's resident expert on baseball and has garnered critical acclaim for his work.
His jobs in the broadcast booth have ranged from the chief analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight to calling games for CBS-TV, ABC Sports, The Baseball Network, WPIX-TV (1986), WTBS in Atlanta (1987) and WCCO in Minnesota (1988-93)."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"In his playing days, Kaat won 283 games in his 25-year playing career, posting a 3.45 ERA, and earned a record 16 Gold Gloves from 1962-77, a feat matched only by Brooks Robinson. His 898 appearances, covering four decades, places him 11th all-time.
He has worked nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN, CBS-TV, The Baseball Network and NBC Sports. Prior to joining MSG in 1995, Kaat spent a year as chief analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight as well as covering Yankee baseball for WPIX-TV in 1986, the Atlanta Braves on TBS in 1987 and the Minnesota Twins on WCCO from 1988-93."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
KEN SINGLETON (MSG)
"After a successful debut season as both a play-by-play announcer and a color analyst, Ken Singleton is back for his second year on MSG. He came to the Yankees from 'North of the Border' where he called games for the Montreal Expos on both the Sports Network and CIQC. In 1996, Singleton worked as the lead analyst for FOX Sports Saturday afternoon broadcasts.
With a deep baritone and expert insight, Singleton has quickly proven to be an important part of MSG's broadcast team."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"Singleton begins his second season behind the microphone for MSG calling Yankee games. He joined MSG from The Sports Network, where he served as color analyst for the Montreal Expos from 1985-96. Prior to that, he called play-by-play for six years on the Expos' flagship radio network, CIQC. He worked as the lead analyst for FOX Sports Saturday afternoon broadcasts in 1996.
In a 15-year career, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles, Singleton played in 2,082 games and batted .282 with 246 home runs and 1,065 RBI. In 1977 he set Oriole records by hitting .328 and accumulating a .438 on-base percentage."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
TOMMY JOHN (WPIX)
"The man who enjoyed two stints with the Yankees as a pitcher (1979-82 and 1986-89) is back in the Bronx as part of WPIX's broadcast team. John announced Minnesota Twins games from 1991-96 and coached high school baseball in Florida. The former pitcher will be reunited with his Yankee teammate Bobby Murcer on WPIX in 1998."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
BOBBY MURCER (MSG and WPIX)
"Former Yankees outfielder Bobby Murcer will bring his insight to both MSG and WPIX broadcasts in his 10th season as a color analyst.
He joined the broadcast booth after his retirement in 1983, and except for a one-year stint as Assistant General Manager for the Yankees, his slight southern drawl has been a popular fixture ever since. Murcer has called games on SportsChannel New York, MSG and WPIX, and was a broadcast partner of the late Phil Rizzuto. In 1989, the first year MSG carried Yankee games, Murcer was the first color commentator to call games on the network."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
"Murcer once again will share the booth with Kaat and Singleton, contributing insight and commentary on both MSG and WPIX broadcasts. Murcer joined the Yankees broadcast booth after his retirement from the game in 1983, serving as color analyst for WABC-Radio from 1983-85. After serving a season as Assistant General Manager for the Yankees, he returned to the booth as color analyst for Yankees games on SportsChannel New York. In 1989, the first year of Yankees games on MSG, Murcer served as color commentator alongside Tommy Hutton. In 1990, he joined the WPIX broadcast team and continues to serve in that capacity.
Over a 17-year career, he played in 1,908 games, hitting .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI. He joined Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats [in one day]."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
LEON SCHWEIR and BILL WEBB (MSG Television)
"Leon Schweir is in his 10th season producing Yankees games on MSG Network and Bill Webb is in his seventh year as director of Yankees telecasts for MSG."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
MSG Spanish
"In August of 1996, MSG Network, in conjunction with the New York Yankees and Cablevision Systems of New York City, made all Yankees games on MSG available with Spanish audio. This service, called Secondary Audio Programming (SAP), made the Yankees the first franchise in New York sports history to offer such a service. This season, Beto Villa, Roberto Clemente, Jr. and Armando Talavera will once again call the action for Los Yankees En Espanol."
-1998 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
ARMANDO TALAVERA (MSG Spanish)
"Talavera is the color commentator for the Spanish broadcasts and has been calling games since the 1975 World Series. He has also covered such events as the NBA finals and the Super Bowl."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
ROBERTO CLEMENTE, JR. (MSG Spanish)
"In his second year as a broadcaster, the son of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente brings his first-hand knowledge and experience from his baseball background to the broadcasts."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
BETO VILLA (MSG Spanish)
"A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Villa brings his vast knowledge of statistics to his role as the play-by-play announcer of the broadcasting trio. He has also worked as a co-producer and announcer for CBS Radio."
-The Official 1998 New York Yankees Team Yearbook
Friday, March 4, 2016
1999 New York Yankees Broadcasters
BOBBY MURCER
"Murcer began as a Yankees announcer after he retired from the game in 1983, serving as color analyst for WABC-Radio from 1983-85. After serving a season as Assistant General Manager for the Yankees, he returned to the booth as color analyst for Yankees games on Sportschannel New York. In 1989, the first year of Yankees games on MSG, Murcer served as color commentator alongside Tommy Hutton. In 1990, he joined the WPIX broadcast team and served in that capacity through the end of the 1998 season.
Over a 17-year career, he played in 1,908 games, hitting .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI. He joined Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats [in one day].
Murcer resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the town he grew up in with his wife Kay. They have a daughter, Tori, and a son, Todd."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
TIM MCCARVER
"McCarver begins his groundbreaking season in the Yankees broadcast booth after spending the last 16 seasons announcing Mets games. He will continue in his role as lead analyst for the FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week, a position he has held since joining FOX Sports in April 1996.
He is the only network television baseball analyst to broadcast the last eight regular seasons and postseasons, including 10 out of the last 12 World Series. He has also received 10 Emmy Award nominations during his 14 seasons as a network analyst for ABC, CBS and FOX, and was an anchor for both the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.
He starred behind the plate for 21 major league seasons. Tim began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 and is one of seven modern-day players to play in four decades. He participated in two All-Star Games (1966-67), three League Championship Series (1976-78), was a member of two World Championship teams in St. Louis (1964, 1967) and was the hottest hitter in the 1964 World Series against the Yankees when he led all regulars with a .478 batting average.
Tim and his wife Anne have two daughters, Kathy and Kelly."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG Television)
"In his playing days, Kaat won 283 games in his 25-year playing career, posting a 3.45 ERA, and earned a record 16 Gold Gloves from 1962-77, a feat matched only by Brooks Robinson. His 898 appearances, covering four decades, places him 11th all-time.
He has worked nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN, CBS-TV, The Baseball Network and NBC Sports. Prior to joining MSG in 1995, Kaat spent one year as chief analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight and was the primary analyst for CBS Sports baseball coverage from 1990-93. He also covered Yankee baseball for WPIX-TV in 1986, the Atlanta Braves on TBS in 1987 and the Minnesota Twins on WCCO from 1988-93.
Kaat lives with his wife MaryAnn in Stuart, Florida and has four children, Jim Jr., Jill, Stacey and Drew."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
KEN SINGLETON (MSG Television)
"Singleton begins his third season behind the microphone for MSG calling Yankee games. He joined MSG in 1997 from The Sports Network, where he served as an analyst for the Montreal Expos from 1985-96. Prior to that, he also called play-by-play for six years on the Expos' flagship radio network, CIQC. He worked as the lead analyst for FOX Sports Saturday afternoon broadcasts in 1996.
In a 15-year career, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles, Singleton played in 2,082 games and batted .282 with 246 home runs and 1,065 RBI. In 1977 he set Oriole records by hitting .328 and accumulating a .438 on-base percentage.
Born in Manhattan and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, he played baseball in the Bronx Federation League at Macombs Dam Park, only feet from Yankee Stadium. Singleton lives in Sparks, Maryland with his wife Suzanne. They have four children."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
LEON SCHWEIR and BILL WEBB (MSG Television)
"Leon Schweir is in his 11th season producing Yankees games on MSG Network and Bill Webb is in his eighth year as director of Yankees telecasts for MSG."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
ARMANDO TALAVERA, BETO VILLA and ROBERTO CLEMENTE, JR. (MSG Spanish)
"In August of 1996, MSG Network, in conjunction with the New York Yankees and Cablevision Systems of New York City, made all Yankees games on MSG available with Spanish audio. This service, called Secondary Audio Programming (SAP), made the Yankees the first franchise in New York sports history to offer such a service. This season, Beto Villa, Roberto Clemente, Jr. and Armando Talavera will once again call the action for Los Yankees En Espanol."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
"Murcer began as a Yankees announcer after he retired from the game in 1983, serving as color analyst for WABC-Radio from 1983-85. After serving a season as Assistant General Manager for the Yankees, he returned to the booth as color analyst for Yankees games on Sportschannel New York. In 1989, the first year of Yankees games on MSG, Murcer served as color commentator alongside Tommy Hutton. In 1990, he joined the WPIX broadcast team and served in that capacity through the end of the 1998 season.
Over a 17-year career, he played in 1,908 games, hitting .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI. He joined Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats [in one day].
Murcer resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the town he grew up in with his wife Kay. They have a daughter, Tori, and a son, Todd."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
TIM MCCARVER
"McCarver begins his groundbreaking season in the Yankees broadcast booth after spending the last 16 seasons announcing Mets games. He will continue in his role as lead analyst for the FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week, a position he has held since joining FOX Sports in April 1996.
He is the only network television baseball analyst to broadcast the last eight regular seasons and postseasons, including 10 out of the last 12 World Series. He has also received 10 Emmy Award nominations during his 14 seasons as a network analyst for ABC, CBS and FOX, and was an anchor for both the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.
He starred behind the plate for 21 major league seasons. Tim began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 and is one of seven modern-day players to play in four decades. He participated in two All-Star Games (1966-67), three League Championship Series (1976-78), was a member of two World Championship teams in St. Louis (1964, 1967) and was the hottest hitter in the 1964 World Series against the Yankees when he led all regulars with a .478 batting average.
Tim and his wife Anne have two daughters, Kathy and Kelly."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
JIM KAAT (MSG Television)
"In his playing days, Kaat won 283 games in his 25-year playing career, posting a 3.45 ERA, and earned a record 16 Gold Gloves from 1962-77, a feat matched only by Brooks Robinson. His 898 appearances, covering four decades, places him 11th all-time.
He has worked nationally as a broadcaster for ESPN, CBS-TV, The Baseball Network and NBC Sports. Prior to joining MSG in 1995, Kaat spent one year as chief analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight and was the primary analyst for CBS Sports baseball coverage from 1990-93. He also covered Yankee baseball for WPIX-TV in 1986, the Atlanta Braves on TBS in 1987 and the Minnesota Twins on WCCO from 1988-93.
Kaat lives with his wife MaryAnn in Stuart, Florida and has four children, Jim Jr., Jill, Stacey and Drew."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
KEN SINGLETON (MSG Television)
"Singleton begins his third season behind the microphone for MSG calling Yankee games. He joined MSG in 1997 from The Sports Network, where he served as an analyst for the Montreal Expos from 1985-96. Prior to that, he also called play-by-play for six years on the Expos' flagship radio network, CIQC. He worked as the lead analyst for FOX Sports Saturday afternoon broadcasts in 1996.
In a 15-year career, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles, Singleton played in 2,082 games and batted .282 with 246 home runs and 1,065 RBI. In 1977 he set Oriole records by hitting .328 and accumulating a .438 on-base percentage.
Born in Manhattan and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, he played baseball in the Bronx Federation League at Macombs Dam Park, only feet from Yankee Stadium. Singleton lives in Sparks, Maryland with his wife Suzanne. They have four children."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
LEON SCHWEIR and BILL WEBB (MSG Television)
"Leon Schweir is in his 11th season producing Yankees games on MSG Network and Bill Webb is in his eighth year as director of Yankees telecasts for MSG."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
ARMANDO TALAVERA, BETO VILLA and ROBERTO CLEMENTE, JR. (MSG Spanish)
"In August of 1996, MSG Network, in conjunction with the New York Yankees and Cablevision Systems of New York City, made all Yankees games on MSG available with Spanish audio. This service, called Secondary Audio Programming (SAP), made the Yankees the first franchise in New York sports history to offer such a service. This season, Beto Villa, Roberto Clemente, Jr. and Armando Talavera will once again call the action for Los Yankees En Espanol."
-1999 New York Yankees Information & Record Guide
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