1998 – Al Michaels

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 12, 1944, Emmy award winning sportscaster Al Michaels is one of the most renowned sportscasters of all time. During his career, Michaels has covered more major sporting events than any other sportscaster. He is also the only sportscaster to have called play-by-play for the championship series of all four major professional leagues, having broadcast six Super Bowls, eight World Series, two NBA Finals, and three Stanley Cups. Included in the many accolades he has received during his illustrious career are five Emmys and three National Sportscaster of the Year awards. Michaels’ began his broadcasting career in 1968 announcing Hawaii Islanders Baseball games, and University of Hawaii football and basketball games. Then in 1971, he moved to Ohio where he became lead announcer of the Cincinnati Reds and began covering other regional sports for NBC. In 1974, he moved and became the announcer of the San Francisco Giants, before joining CBS in 1975 to call regional NFL games. Then in 1976, Michaels’ signed with ABC. During his 30 years at ABC, he was the lead baseball announcer for “Monday Night Baseball” from 1976-89, and the play-by-play voice of “Monday Night Football” from 1986-2006. In 2006, Michaels’ left ABC and joined NBC to broadcast “Sunday Night Football” with his broadcasting partner John Madden. In recognition of his outstanding career as sportscaster, Michaels was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame on April 27, 1998.