Andy Musser | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Andrew J. Musser Jr. (1937-12-28)December 28, 1937 Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2012(2012-01-22) (aged 74) Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
Andrew J. Musser Jr. (December 28, 1937 – January 22, 2012) was an Americansportscaster. He is best known for his time as aplay-by-play announcer forPhiladelphia Phillies baseball from 1976 to 2002.[1]
Born inLemoyne, Pennsylvania[2] he grew up in nearbyHarrisburg.[3] He received aBachelor of Arts in communications fromSyracuse University in 1959.[4][5]
Musser,Richie Ashburn, andHarry Kalas were a team which broadcast Phillies games on both radio and television for 21 consecutive seasons from 1976 to 1997. He retired after the 2002 season.
Musser worked forWCAU radio andtelevision in Philadelphia from 1965 to 1971. During this time he served as a radio play-by-play announcer forEagles football as well as76ers andVillanova Wildcats basketball. One of the youngest lead broadcasters in theNational Football League at the time, he covered the Eagles' games withCharlie Gauer for four years until the station lost the broadcast rights toWIP in 1969.[3] Musser also called various events nationally forCBS Radio, includingSuper Bowl VI,Super Bowl VIII and the1976 MLB All-Star Game.
Musser was the lead voice forChicago Bulls telecasts onWSNS from 1973 through 1976, pairing with Dick Gonski in the first two seasons andLorn Brown in the third.[6] Musser calledNew York Knicks away games withCal Ramsey onWOR-TV andManhattan Cable Television home games for the next four seasons from 1976 to 1980. He handled all the games in the first three years, but only home games in the fourth year.[7]
TheBroadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Musser into their Hall of Fame in November 2011.[8]
Musser was married for 50 years to Eun Joo. They had two children, Allan and Luanne, and four grandchildren.[9] Musser died on January 22, 2012.[9][10]
The pitch to Schmidt. Long drive to left field, he buried it! He buried it! Way back, out of here! Home run, Mike Schmidt, puts the Phillies up 6 to 4! Oh what a drive by Schmidt, unbelieveable!
— Mike Schmidt hits a two-run home run in the top of the 11th inning against theMontreal Expos - October 4, 1980.
The wind-up by Ruthven, the 3-2 pitch. Here's a punch-shot to center field,Maddox racing over . . . he catches the ball! Phillies win the pennant! The Phillies have won the pennant! The Phillies win the ballgame, 8 to 7, they go to the World Series for the first time in 30 years!
— Dick Ruthven's final pitch in Game 5 of the1980 National League Championship Series against theHouston Astros.