Bob Elson
Encyclopedia
Robert A. Elson was a pioneering American sportscaster
.
, Elson got into broadcasting by accident. While vacationing in St. Louis in 1928, Elson was touring KWK
when a receptionist saw him among 40 men in line for an audition and thought he was going for one as well. He became a finalist, and was hired after a vote by listeners. A few days later, officials at Chicago's WGN
heard about Elson's victory and wondered what a Chicago native was doing broadcasting for a St. Louis station. They quickly hired him. Starting in 1929, he began calling games for the Chicago Cubs
and Chicago White Sox
. Such double-duty would be impossible today. However, in those days, the Cubs and White Sox almost never played at home on the same day, and most teams "recreated" road games via telegraph information. In 1930, he called his first World Series
for the Mutual Broadcasting System
--the first of 12 in a row. Elson also called Chicago Bears
football in the 1930s and early '40s.
In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy
and served four years in World War II
--a stint which earned him the nickname "The Ol' Commander." However, at the request of Franklin D. Roosevelt
, he was called home to announce the 1943 World Series
.
--the White Sox' first since 1919, and Elson's first since 1943—on NBC because the head of NBC Sports
, Tom Gallery didn't like him. He was, however, allowed to call the Series on the White Sox' radio flagship, WCFL
. In 1971, he called games for the Oakland Athletics
before returning to Chicago, where he teamed with Lloyd Pettit on the Chicago Black Hawks
broadcasts. (Elson had previously broadcast for the Black Hawks in the late 1930s.)
, Earl Gillespie
, Bert Wilson
, Gene Elston
and Milo Hamilton
.
Elson received the Ford C. Frick Award
from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
.
Early life and career
Born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Elson got into broadcasting by accident. While vacationing in St. Louis in 1928, Elson was touring KWK
KSLG (AM)
KSLG is an all-sports radio station, operating from St. Louis, Missouri. The station has used this format since June 2004. Prior to switching to an all-sports format, KSLG was a religious broadcasting radio station...
when a receptionist saw him among 40 men in line for an audition and thought he was going for one as well. He became a finalist, and was hired after a vote by listeners. A few days later, officials at Chicago's WGN
WGN (AM)
WGN is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is the only radio station owned by the Tribune Company, which also owns the flagship television station WGN-TV, the Chicago Tribune newspaper and Chicago magazine locally. WGN's transmitter is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois...
heard about Elson's victory and wondered what a Chicago native was doing broadcasting for a St. Louis station. They quickly hired him. Starting in 1929, he began calling games for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Such double-duty would be impossible today. However, in those days, the Cubs and White Sox almost never played at home on the same day, and most teams "recreated" road games via telegraph information. In 1930, he called his first World Series
1930 World Series
In the 1930 World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in six games, 4–2. Philadelphia's pitching ace Lefty Grove won two games.The St...
for the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
--the first of 12 in a row. Elson also called Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
football in the 1930s and early '40s.
In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and served four years in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
--a stint which earned him the nickname "The Ol' Commander." However, at the request of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, he was called home to announce the 1943 World Series
1943 World Series
The 1943 World Series matched the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees, in a rematch of the 1942 Series. The Yankees won the Series in five games for their tenth championship in 21 seasons. It was Yankees' manager Joe McCarthy's final Series win...
.
Broadcasting for the White Sox exclusively
From 1946 to 1970 he broadcast for the White Sox exclusively. He missed a chance to call the 1959 World Series1959 World Series
The 1959 World Series featured the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers beating the American League champion Chicago White Sox, four games to two. It was the first pennant for the White Sox in 40 years . They would have to wait until 2005 to win another championship...
--the White Sox' first since 1919, and Elson's first since 1943—on NBC because the head of NBC Sports
NBC Sports
NBC Sports is the sports division of the NBC television network. Formerly "a service of NBC News," it broadcasts a diverse array of programs, including the Olympic Games, the NFL, the NHL, MLS, Notre Dame football, the PGA Tour, the Triple Crown, and the French Open, among others...
, Tom Gallery didn't like him. He was, however, allowed to call the Series on the White Sox' radio flagship, WCFL
WCFL (AM)
WCFL was the callsign of a commercial radio station in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was owned by the Chicago Federation of Labor, hence its call letters. The station is now known as WMVP. Its transmitter is located in Downers Grove and is still in use by WMVP...
. In 1971, he called games for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
before returning to Chicago, where he teamed with Lloyd Pettit on the Chicago Black Hawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
broadcasts. (Elson had previously broadcast for the Black Hawks in the late 1930s.)
Elson's broadcasting style
His style was often described as "relaxed", not easily succumbing to emotion or hyperbole. In his heyday he was one of the leading members of his profession. He was one of the first broadcasters to do on-field interviews. However, in later years, he felt uncomfortable with announcers who frequently criticized on-field performance, having grown up in an era where sportscasters were regularly drinking buddies with players and managers. His style inspired several other broadcasters who grew up in the Midwest, such as Jack BrickhouseJack Brickhouse
John Beasley "Jack" Brickhouse was an American sportscaster. Known primarily for his play-by-play coverage of Chicago Cubs games on WGN-TV from 1948 to 1981, he received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983...
, Earl Gillespie
Earl Gillespie
Earl W. Gillespie was an American sportscaster, best known as the radio voice of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Braves from 1953 to 1963....
, Bert Wilson
Bert Wilson
Bert Wilson was a play-by-play broadcaster for Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs from 1944 to 1955. He was an unabashed "homer", known for two catchphrases: "I don't care who wins, as long as it's the Cubs!" and "Sic 'em, Cubs!" He also invented a short-lived catchphrase for the double play...
, Gene Elston
Gene Elston
Gene Elston is a former Major League Baseball broadcaster, primarily with the Houston Astros.-Early life and career:A native of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Elston's first job in announcing was high school basketball in 1941. From there he progressed to minor league baseball starting in 1946...
and Milo Hamilton
Milo Hamilton
Leland Milo Hamilton is an American sportscaster, best known for calling play-by-play for seven different Major League Baseball teams since 1953...
.
Elson received the Ford C. Frick Award
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.