Curt Gowdy Died [Archive] - Baseball Fever

efin98

02-20-2006, 10:35 AM

Hall of Famer and former Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy died today at age 86 after a long battle with Leukemia.

The Story from WBZ (http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_051111835.html)

VTSoxFan

02-20-2006, 11:15 AM

Of course Curt Gowdy had moved on from the Sox before I was born, but I do remember those weekly games... well, the feeling of being with my family and watching the games. When I was a little kid -- 4 or 5 years old -- we'd watch the weekly ball game on my sister's 9" Sony TV, and I came to know the Game in part through that voice. Of course I didn't understand baseball when I was that little, but... hearing that voice was special because baseball meant so much to the whole family.

Since that time, whenever I heard his voice, I thought "baseball!" and got that warm feeling.

Thanks, Curt. Peace be with you.

Mattingly

02-20-2006, 11:28 AM

May his soul, that wonderful voice of his, his ability to bring a TV audience into the baseball stadium even as they sat on a couch at home, as well as his overall qualities, forever rest quite peacefully in another ballpark upstairs.

I'm sure he's enjoy a great view from the Monster right now. :)

http://www.derbydeadpool.co.uk/images/celebs/gowdyc.jpg

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/media/mlb/2003/0521/photo/a_gowdy_i.jpg
(with Johnny Pesky)

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/frick_bios/images/gowdy_curt.jpg

1984 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Curt Gowdy (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/frick_bios/images/gowdy_curt.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/frick_bios/gowdy_curt.htm&h=236&w=198&sz=45&tbnid=ZywhwpXmQ5-TlM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=87&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcurt%2Bgowdy%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%2 6lr%3D)

64Cards

02-20-2006, 12:02 PM

Gowdy had a hell of a run as the #1 sportscaster at NBC, from mid-60's through the 70's, back when NBC really had a monopoly on the biggest events. He was probably the 1st tv superstar sportscaster, did WS, LCS, AFL/AFC championships, Super Bowls, Rose Bowl, Final Fours, plus the game of the week thing in MLB and football. I don't think you'll ever see just one guy doing that many big events again, too many networks now.

TonyK

02-20-2006, 01:29 PM

I had just voted Curt Gowdy as my all-time favorite announcer on another baseball board. When I think of him I think about his 14 years as a Red Sox announcer. It wasn't easy for him since the Sox teams were often near the bottom of the AL.

I will always remember the great cartoons in the old Boston Record American, Peter Gammons' Sunday baseball columns in the Boston Globe, and Curt Gowdy and Ned Martin broadcasting like they were sitting in your living room game after game. I hope the Sox honor his memory!

Chisox73

02-20-2006, 02:30 PM

I'm too young to remember Curt Gowdy as a Red Sox announcer.

When I was younger,he was there for all the big events,whethere it would be the NBC Game of the Week,the World Series,or Super Bowl,he was the man who would describe all the action to all those who watched.

Thank you Curt Gowdy for all your contributions to TV sports.

RIP Curt:(

efin98

02-20-2006, 05:48 PM

He made a huge impact in another major way that most may not know about: he was the former president of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He has an award named in his honor given out by that hall of fame.

He is also a member of 10 halls of fame, something I don't think may can or will ever claim.

Frankly, until today I thought he was overrated here. I thought he was given too much credit for being so good when he was only around for 15 seasons...Boy was I wrong about him.

DoubleX

02-20-2006, 06:12 PM

ThanksTheo

02-23-2006, 09:42 AM

Some reminiscent ramblings: Gowdy had a broadcaster's voice. I can still hear him doing the Red Sox games, even spring training games from AZ. I always felt that he was the baseball announcer that all others should be judged next to. He wasn't Johnny Most, but then baseball wasn't basketball either. (And the Red Sox in those days weren't the Celtics. ;) )

I had mixed feelings when Gowdy made the shift to network TV. It seemed the natural progression for his talents, but the rest of the nation missed out on his best broadcasting years (IMO).

He gave a lot to sports broadcasting over the years, and will be missed. Always the professional. Ever hear of him receiving any "bad press"? I don't. And I think that says something about the man.

pesky6

02-23-2006, 11:30 AM

In terms of Hall of Fames, he is the only member of the Baseball, Football, and Basketball Hall of Fames. Pretty darn impressive.

Well, he's not a member like Ted Williams or Roger Staubach. But enough nitpicking--here's a trivia question:

Who's the only guy with a bust in Canton and a plaque in Cooperstown?

johnny

02-23-2006, 01:13 PM

In terms of Hall of Fames, he is the only member of the Baseball, Football, and Basketball Hall of Fames. Pretty darn impressive.

Dave Neihaus -the M's broadcaster- was discussing Gowdy and mentioned that Curt was a fairly wealthy man due to shrewd investments. Neihaus mentioned some television/radio stations owned by Gowdy.

johnny

02-23-2006, 01:14 PM

Well, he's not a member like Ted Williams or Roger Staubach. But enough nitpicking--here's a trivia question:

Who's the only guy with a bust in Canton and a plaque in Cooperstown?

Cal Hubbard?

Mattingly

02-23-2006, 03:22 PM

Well, he's not a member like Ted Williams or Roger Staubach. But enough nitpicking--here's a trivia question:

Who's the only guy with a bust in Canton and a plaque in Cooperstown?
Uhmmmmmmmmmm ... would his initials be CG? :D

BTW, how do you like that pic of Curt next to Johnny Pesky?

Mattingly

02-25-2006, 05:43 PM

I heard that his funeral procession circled Fenway Park today. How very fitting.

R-I-P :(