Mel Allen was a wonderful broadcasting talent. He was congenial, intelligent, exuberant, and he was blessed with an incredibly great voice. Mel was the Voice of the New York Yankees from the late 1930’s until 1964, and then he came back for another decade of TV play-by-play that stretched into the mid 1980’s. Allen stayed active as the host of “This Week in Baseball” until his passing in 1996.
As the Yankees voice, Mel presided over a particularly glorious era. In an 18 year period beginning in 1947, the Yanks captured 15 American League pennants, and 10 World Series crowns. Mel’s vivid play-by-play covered some of the greatest ballplayers of all time, including—among others—Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.
On this tribute CD, you will hear Mel at his very best. Track 4 is devoted to the historic 1961 home run chase between Mantle and Maris, as they pursued the iconic Babe Ruth’s 60 homers in 1927.
Between radio and television, Mel Allen announced 20 different World Series, covering over 100 Fall Classic games along the way. This CD includes some of his great calls from World Series games of 1938, 1952, 1956 and 1960. How about that?
Other tracks highlight his football work, his legendary voiceover career, and his hosting of “This Week in Baseball”. There are also tracks spotlighting special events like Lou Gehrig Day, Mickey Mantle Day, his Cooperstown Hall of Fame acceptance speech, and the 1983 Dave Righetti no-hitter. If you are a longtime Yankees fan, this CD promises to bring back lots of memories.
Mel Allen was simply one of the greatest baseball announcers who ever lived. Please enjoy the CD!
Pat Hughes
November 2013
Track Listing
1. Open
2. Intro
3. Mel Allen
4. 1961 Maris & Mantle
5. Early Days
6. 1st World Series
7. Lou Gehrig Day
8. 1940’s
9. 1949 Season Finale
10. Football Work
11. 1952 WS Game 7
12. Voice for Hire
13. 1960 WS Game 7
14. Life After the Yankees
15. Mickey Mantle Day
16. T. W. I. B.
17. Cooperstown
18. Dave Righetti No-No
19. Legacy
20. Close
21. Credits