Dick Enberg one of the true greats

Mel Allen, Red Barber, Jack Buck, Vin Scully.

When it comes to baseball announcers, the true greats are perhaps countable on two hands. The aforementioned icons certainly come to mind.

As a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, Jack Buck was always a great measuring stick and influence. He played the big moments incredibly well. He was balanced and fair, always crediting opponents. Buck was known to visit the dressing rooms of officials, referees and umpires to let them know that he cared.

I remember Buck calling bowling on television, along with Cardinals games, network baseball on radio and television and, of course, NFL football on television and radio.

Dick Enberg belongs on the list of the elite.

Enberg was an amiable, seemingly easy going, happy person. His persona was easy to grasp. Enberg passed away overnight at the age of 82. It is a sad day.

Enberg’s mastery of the English language was also tangible and deeply appreciated. Those of us who have called games have regularly worked hard to be as eloquent as possible while being distinctive with our words.

Enberg was a great announcer for the Angels. He appeared in movies. His calls in the original Naked Gun movie still make me laugh.

I remember Enberg on many fronts vividly. He struck a chord with this broadcaster and was a great person to study, admire and emulate.

His accomplishments were plentiful.

Enberg received 14 Emmy awards, won Sportscaster of the Year nine times and he is in the National Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Enberg called some of the most memorable sports events in my lifetime.

They included the Elvin Hayes-Lew Alcindor showdown in the 1968 “Game of the Century) between Houston and UCLA in the Astrodome.

He was on the call of the first-ever meeting between legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird when Michigan State beat Indiana State for the national championship in 1979.

Enberg did play-by-play for network television on eight Super Bowls, nine Rose Bowls and was on the microphone for four different Olympic Games. He called NBA games, Breeders Cup racing events, along with Wimbledon and French Open tournaments.

I thoroughly enjoyed him hosting “Sports Challenge,” a trivia game show in the 1970’s which I watched faithfully and answered many questions to while deepening my own knowledge of sports.

Enberg’s brilliant career spanned six decades. He called games for UCLA, the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Angels. His last play-by-play assignment was with the San Diego Padres.

In his career, it is safe to say that Enberg “touched them all.” When pondering his accomplishments, all I can say is “Oh, my!”

Godspeed to Dick Enberg and many thanks for the many great memories you provided while remaining the consummate professional from start to finish. It was a job well done. It was a job well lived. Enberg is one of the most versatile announcers ever, a true great in the history of the industry.