For people of a certain age, Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus is the only baseball voice they’ve ever known.Transplants to Seattle might not understand, but for baseball lovers who grew up in the Northwest, Niehaus was the soundtrack to the summers of their youth. His baritone catch phrases and rousing calls are unique as they are cherished.
Yesterday, major league baseball agreed. Niehaus was inducted into the "Scribes and Mikemen" area of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
During his speech, Niehaus described a Norman Rockwell setting where, as an 11-year-old boy, a career in baseball was inspired from warm summer evenings and St. Louis Cardinals radio broadcasts.
“Dad is sitting on the porch with a cold slice of watermelon on one knee, and a hot ear of butter corn on the other, with a cold beverage sitting on the ground. And suddenly from the old Zenith floor model radio in the living room comes this voice screaming ‘it might be, it could be, it is ...’ and the young boy jumps about three or four inches off the ground with each halting phrase. Magic is happening in St. Louis, Missouri. Stan Musial has hit another home run about a zillion miles away. And a career has germinated that ends up here in Cooperstown today.”
He could have been describing any one us and the moment we were hooked on baseball. It is why so many Mariners fans connected with Niehaus. He was one of us. A fan that maybe got a little too excited. A fan that loved the game so much.
About the Man Crush: This is a weekly installment for the blog where, for good or for bad, I’ll highlight one stand-out player or sports celebrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment