By David Michonski
Spike Lipschutz opened the October 2nd meeting of the Retired Men’s Association by introducing Bob Heussler, who spoke on the subject “Ranking the Great Sportscasters: The Golden Age to the Digital Age.” Heussler began with the history of sports broadcasting and also talked about what he thought made for a good sportscaster, providing many visuals and audio clips and ending with his personal ranking of the top ten sports broadcasters of all time.
Heussler explained that before radio and TV broadcasting, fans would gather outside newspaper buildings to follow the game on what were called “Playographs.” Scores came in via telegraph and were reproduced by lights and simple graphics on boards outside the newspaper building. The first World Series radio broadcast was in 1921. The 1922 World Series broadcast was heard by millions, even though professional sportscasters did not yet exist.
Graham McNamee was the inventor of play-by-play sportscasting. There were several other pioneers such as Red Barber, Bill Stern, Marty Glickman, and Mel Allen, who became the enduring voice of the NY Yankees and “This Week in Baseball.” He was the first sports broadcaster to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (along with Red Barber). He lived in Greenwich.
According to Heussler, a great sportscaster has to master the following:
1. Pacing: the ability to capture the story as it unfolds and the tension builds.
2. Precision: not too fast, not too slow, and accurate, with a rhythm that matches the sport.
3. Power: a confident, strong voice, without screaming.
4. Enthusiasm: that means energy and the ability to capture the moment.
A common denominator, Heussler said, is genuine emotion. The criteria for his personal list of the top ten sportscasters of all time:
1. National reach: worked at a network level, known coast to coast.
2. Unique: distinct voice and style and instant recognizability that inspires imitators.
3. Versatility: excels in multiple sports, adapts style to the sport.
4. Impactful: leaves a lasting impression.
5. Inducted into a sport’s Hall of Fame, instantly recognizable name.
Heussler’s Top Ten – Countdown
10. Sean McDonough, the youngest person to ever announce a World Series on TV. He was ESPN’s announcer.
9. Curt Gowdy. His career spanned 1943 to 1988, including 13 World Series and 16 MLB playoffs. He was on microphone when Hank Aaron homered in 1974 to pass Babe Ruth’s most home runs in MLB history. Covered Joe Namath, who delivered on his guarantee that the Jets would beat the Colts 16-7.
8. Pat Summerall, who became John Madden’s NFL broadcast partner, beating out Vin Scully, who was so incensed by the decision that he left CBS for NBC and never again called an NFL game.
7. Bob Costas, whose career spans 1972 to the present. He claimed that one of the major reasons he and NBC parted ways in 2019 was his growing discomfort over the violent nature of football which could lead to brain diseases in later life.
6. Howard Cosell. Born in Winston-Salem NC and raised in Brooklyn. His career spanned 1953 to 1993 and he broke all the barriers of broadcasting. He called George Foreman’s fight against Joe Frazier, where Foreman stunned the undefeated heavyweight champion with a knockout and where Cosell screamed, “Down goes Frazier, Down goes Frazier!” Cosell broke the news of John Lennon’s death in 1980 during a Monday Night Football game. It was how much of the country learned of Lennon’s murder. Cosell was called arrogant, verbose, a show off, and he said he agreed that he was all of these.
5. Dick Enberg. Enberg was the host of a TV show called “Sports Challenge” and then went on to cover sports. He covered Cleveland’s Earnest Byner when he fumbled away the Browns’ chance to win the 1987 AFC championship game vs Denver.
4. Marv Albert, whose career spanned 1962 to 2021. His name was synonymous with New York Sports and his famous phrase was “Yes! And it counts!” He covered Michael Jordan switching hands in midair in the 1991 finals, Bulls vs. Lakers game.
3. Brent Musburger. His famous words were “You are Looking Live.” He covered Edgar Martinez’s two run double, in game 5 of the 1995 division series against the Yankees. He covered Doug Flutie connecting with Gerard Phelan on a 48-yard TD pass against Miami in 1985.
2. Al Michaels. He was 37 years with the NFL, and covered the 1989 World Series in San Francisco when the earthquake hit and he switched from sportscaster to reporting a huge news story. His famous phrase was “Do you believe in miracles, yes!”
1. Jim Nantz, 1980 to present. He has been the face of sports for 25 years on CBS, and is the network’s lead NFL voice. His phrase is “Hello, Friends.” He called Devin Hester’s returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI which was the first time a kickoff was returned for a touchdown. He also covered golf and Phil Mickelson’s first major win in 2004, with an 18-foot birdie putt at the Masters.
Heussler then concluded his talk with those who did not meet his criteria for top ten, but thought all of these were great broadcasters: Vin Scully, Jim McKay, Keith Jackson, Mike Emrick, Verne Lundquist, and Future Hall of Famers Ian Eagle, Mike Tirico, Joe Buck, Kevin Burkhardt, Joe Davis.
The talk can be viewed by going to the RMA website at https://greenwichrma.org, and clicking on “Speakers.”
The RMA’s upcoming presentation, “Intelligence Threats to the US, from the French to the Chinese and More, Plus Anecdotes from a 32 Year Career,” by David Hunt, is scheduled for 11 AM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. David P. Hunt is a retired senior officer with 32 years service in CIA’s clandestine service. He served extensively overseas with tours in Italy, Vietnam, Somalia, Norway, and France as well as New York City, serving as chief of station in Mogadishu and New York. He also served in the US Army, and spent a year in Korea with the Counterintelligence Corps. He is considered an expert in Soviet operations, European affairs, and counterintelligence. He holds the Donovan Award for Excellence and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, CIA’s highest career award.
David graduated from St. Paul’s School, attended school in Switzerland and holds a BA from Colby College. He is currently chairman of Charles Pratt and Company, a family office in New York, and has served on numerous boards, including the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, the Ocean Conservancy in Washington DC, and is a current trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. He lectures occasionally on intelligence issues, both historical and present-day.
To stream the presentation by David Hunt at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 16, click on https://bit.ly/30IBj21. This presentation will also be available on local public access TV channels, Verizon FIOS channel 24 and Optimum (Cablevision) channel 79. The public is also invited to attend the presentation in person at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich at 1 West Putnam Avenue.
Note: The views expressed in these presentations are those of the speakers. They are not intended to represent the views of the RMA or its members.
RMA speaker presentations are presented as a community service at no cost to in-person or Zoom attendees, regardless of gender. Any member of the public who would like to receive a weekly email announcement of future speakers should send a request to members@greenwichrma.org. The RMA urges all eligible individuals to consider becoming a member of our great organization, and thereby enjoy all the available fellowship, volunteer, and community service opportunities which the RMA offers to its members. For further information, go to https://greenwichrma.org/, or contact members@greenwichrma.org.
