Show us your Mike-Men!

[Oldtix]

I'm one of those old souls who would rather hear a game on radio than watch it on television. Since 1978, the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award has honored radio/tv broadcasters. It's time to pay some attention to the voices of summer here on the board...so let's see what you have in your collection!

I'll kick it off with this 1932 postcard of longtime Chicago announcer BOB ELSON, including a handwritten plea for votes in a Sporting News ranking of baseball broadcasters. Elson won the Frick Award in 1979 for his 41 years behind the microphone. He conducted the first on-field interview in 1931 (with CONNIE MACK) and did play-by-play for nine All-Star Games and 12 World Series.

[thekingofclout]

The legendary Harry Carey leading the crowd during the seventh inning stretch in Wrigley Field's historic first night game, for the rendition of "Take me out to the Ball Game"

harrycaray.jpg

harrycarayverso.jpg

[mr2686]

A couple of HOF Mike-Men...Red Barber and Mel Allen.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here's my contribution to this thread, I don't get to show these too often........

[Kawika]

Ol' Diz and Pee Wee

[slidekellyslide]

My Mike Man is more famous as a boxing announcer, but he was also the man behind the mike for Los Angeles and Vernon in the PCL.

Dan Tobey

[gashouse34]

One of my favorite items...

[Oldtix]

Keep 'em coming, folks!

Here's a mid-1930s General Mills premium photo featuring WLW (Cincinnati) Radio's "Toy Band". Did you recognize young "Uncle Red" Barber, who didn't see a major league baseball game until he broadcast it for the Reds on Opening Day 1934?




You old-timers will also remember Durward Kirby, longtime sidekick of Garry Moore on his CBS television program.

[RichardSimon]

Could not get it all on the scanner, but here is the Chesterfield give away record album cover of Russ Hodges' most famous call from the greatest game in baseball history. I bought it signed by Bobby Thomson and added Willie Mays' autograph.
Record is a 78 rpm though and I can't play it
--

[Oldtix]

Never one to let the truth get in the way of a good story, Bill Stern was one of the most popular sportscasters of the 1940s. His radio program, "THE BILL STERN SPORTS NEWSREEL", was an NBC fixture for many years under the sponsorship of Colgate Brushless Shave Cream. You Woody Allen fans will remember his parody of Stern's improbable tales in "RADIO DAYS".

[JLange]

Nifty 1955 Schedule with Jimmy Dudley and Ed Edwards, announcers for the Cleveland Indians

[sayhey24]

Old Houston Buffs pamphlet featuring a young Dan Rather as one of the team's broadcasters.

Greg

[sayhey24]

A few pinbacks.

H&B game bat made for Jocko Maxwell, the first African-American baseball radio broadcaster -- he should really be in the Hall of Fame.

Greg

[Griffins]

Might be the only one with an entire set named after him



And the best of all time, about to wrap up his 60th season for the Dodgers.

[Jay Wolt]

After Harry Heilmann's career ended he became a Tigers announcer from 1934-1950.
He died at age 56 in 1951, and was inducted the following year to Cooperstown.
A shame he didn't live to see that honor, he had a .342 career average & should have been inducted sooner.

Picked up this neat piece on the B/S/T board and had it matted & framed.
It sits above my bar.

[RichardSimon]

Knickerbocker Beer Ad with Russ Hodges, again too big for the scanner, but a very colorful and neat advertising piece. Heavy duty cardboard.
--

[whiteymet]

Hi All: Here is front and back of a KYW Philly radio station oversized Postcard from 1951. One HOF'er included!

[whiteymet]

Ballentine Beer Posters on Heavy board. TWO HOF'ers!!

[Oldtix]

[andypcl]

Thought I'd add this framed Pureta Sausage Solons counter display.

[Den*nis O*Brien]

I do not know if this version pre dates or post dates Kawika's example at the front end of this thread. The duo's "Game Of The Week" was a high point of summer vacations to N. Wisconsin.

[Oldtix]

One for the Tigers fans...sometime in the 1940s.

[Kawika]

Couple more just in.
Yet another of Dizzy Dean, icon of my youth, from 1951, and an oddball I received in a packet of 1933 Minneapolis Miller team postcards.

[GoldenAge50s]

In early 1953 I dropped Mel Allen a letter indicating my business wanted to sell White Owl cigars--never mind I was only 12 at the time!

I recvd this letter & order card & the next yr got a White Owl Almanac booklet from him.

The last pic is an auto from 1957 as I walked to Municipal Stadium from the Hotel Cleveland w/ Mel on his way to do a Sat doubleheader.

[Oldtix]

We can't forget Jack Brickhouse...

[JLange]

1957 Jimmy Dudley Scorebook for the Cleveland Indians

[D. Broughman]

Ernie Harwell

[ecRich]

Cubs announcer, only photo in this tough premium set that lists Blue Ribbon Malt as issuer.

[abroome]

[sayhey24]

A late add -- 1950s Joe Garagiola game bat.

Greg

Much more memorabilia at:
http://www.baseballbasement.com

[3and2]

Harry Caray Original Photo 1991...ya gotta love those glasses!

[mighty bombjack]

Here's a ticket to a radio broadcast signed by the aforementioned HOFer Hiellmann as well as Ty Tyson, who has been called the first ever play-by-play baseball announcer.

[Exhibitman]

Bill Stern was at the mike for the first televised baseball game. Here is his one of H815 Adam Hats cards that he shares with IBHOFer Sam Taub, in whose honor the IBHOF equivalent of the Ford Frick Award is named:



And the still wonderful Vin Scully



Almost makes the Dodgers tolerable...

[D. Broughman]

Nat Albright did radio broadcast in the 50's here is a clip of how it was done. He wasn't at the game. Go to vimeo.com/10597357

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by Griffins

Might be the only one with an entire set named after him



And the best of all time, about to wrap up his 60th season for the Dodgers.

Mr. Scully is THE BEST !!!!