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Andy Musser

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Andy Musser
Born
Andrew J. Musser Jr.

(1937-12-28)December 28, 1937
Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 2012(2012-01-22) (aged 74)
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materSyracuse University
OccupationSportscaster

Andrew J. Musser Jr. (December 28, 1937 – January 22, 2012) was an American sportscaster. He is best known for his time as a play-by-play announcer for Philadelphia Phillies baseball from 1976 to 2002.[1]

Early life and education

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Born in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania[2] he grew up in nearby Harrisburg.[3] He received a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Syracuse University in 1959.[4][5]

Career

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Musser, Richie Ashburn, and Harry 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 for WCAU radio and television in Philadelphia from 1965 to 1971. During this time he served as a radio play-by-play announcer for Eagles football as well as 76ers and Villanova Wildcats basketball. One of the youngest lead broadcasters in the National Football League at the time, he covered the Eagles' games with Charlie Gauer for four years until the station lost the broadcast rights to WIP in 1969.[3] Musser also called various events nationally for CBS Radio, including Super Bowl VI, Super Bowl VIII and the 1976 MLB All-Star Game.

Musser was the lead voice for Chicago Bulls telecasts on WSNS from 1973 through 1976, pairing with Dick Gonski in the first two seasons and Lorn Brown in the third.[6] Musser called New York Knicks away games with Cal Ramsey on WOR-TV and Manhattan 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]

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Musser into their Hall of Fame in November 2011.[8]

Personal life

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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]

Memorable calls

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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 the Montreal 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 the 1980 National League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.

References

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  1. ^ "Former Phillies Broadcaster Andy Musser Passes Away". Tracking.si.com. January 23, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "Former Phillies Broadcaster Andy Musser Dies". NBC10 Philadelphia. Nbcphiladelphia.com. January 23, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Didinger, Ray (January 23, 2012). "Remembering Musser: Broadcaster Dies". Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia. Csnphilly.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  4. ^ ""Andrew J. Musser, Jr." (obituary), Main Line Media News, Wednesday, January 25, 2012". Legacy.com. January 22, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  5. ^ ""Longtime baseball announcer, Syracuse grad Andy Musser dies," WSYR-TV NewsChannel 9, Tuesday, January 24, 2012". 9wsyr.com. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  6. ^ "2007–08 Chicago Bulls Media Guide (Media section)" (PDF). NBA.com. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  7. ^ "2003–04 New York Knicks Media Guide (The Fourth Estate section)" (PDF). Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  8. ^ "The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia". 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Phillies broadcaster Andy Musser dies". Espn.go.com. January 24, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  10. ^ "Former Phillies broadcaster Musser dies". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
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