1972-Mel Allen

Sportscasting legend Mel Allen was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 14, 1913. Allen began his sportscasting career as a junior at the University of Alabama, as a radio announcer for University of Alabama and Auburn University football games. Then in 1937, he joined CBS, in New York, where he announced both Yankees and Giants games. In 1943, Allen’s career was interrupted when he joined the Army; however, he still broadcast during this time on The Army Hour, and Armed Forces Service Radio programs. In 1946 he was discharged from the army, and returned to announcing Yankees games. Allen became known as “the Voice of the Yankees,” and called Yankee games until 1964. Allen continued to call other games until in 1977 he became the host of NBC’s “This Week in Baseball.” Also in 1977, Allen returned to calling Yankees games, when owner George Steinbrenner offered him the opportunity to call half of the Yankees home games. During his illustrious career, Allen earned nearly every award available to a sportscaster, and broadcast the All-star game 24 times. Allen died in 1996. He was inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame on March 28, 1972.