2005 Frick Award Finalists

[Chisox73]

The 10 finalists for the Ford C. Frick Award were announced by the National Baseball Hall of Fame today.

Dizzy Dean heads the list of 10 this year.Dean was elected to the HOF in 1953.He did the Game of the Week on CBS from 1954-65.

The other finalists include Tom Cheek(Toronto),Jerry Coleman(San Diego),Ken Coleman(Boston),Gene Elston(Houston),Tony Kubek(NBC),France Laux(Phillies),Graham McNamee(NBC Radio),Dave Niehaus(Seattle),and Ron Santo(Chicago Cubs).

Cheek,Santo,and Niehaus were selected by the fans in an online vote in November.Santo is also on the Veterans Committe ballot this year.

Thew Frick Award winner will be announced on February 22.

[Trots]

I voted for Cheek, Kubek and a local guy, Paul Carey. It's hard to argue against any of the candidates, though.

[Timberwolf]

I am dissapointed Dick Bremer did not make the cut. He really does a great job with the Twins games on TV. He is fun to listen to. One of these days, I hope he makes the cut.

I am just glad the Yankees TV and radio announcers never made the cut. I can sleep well.

If I have to vote now, I am voting for Dave Neihaus.

[PopTop]

If Gene Elston isn't recognized, I'm through with major league baseball.



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[barzilla]

Agreed Pops, but I think we have to be satisfied that we got him this far. I nearly every city has an announcer they think should win this award. It almost makes you wish there was an impartial rating system that would tell us who the best announcer is. Almost. Announcing is so much style and what you like. It's almost like William Rehnquist said (I think), "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it." I can't define good announcing, but I know it when I hear it. IMHO, Milo simply isn't it, but he's in the Hall of Fame. Ironically, I've always liked Bill Brown more than Milo and last night I confirmed why: he knows and loves baseball. He's a heck of a nice guy and will just sit there and talk baseball with you. Everything I've heard about Gene Elston indicates the same. Unfortunately, I'm too young to truly appreciate what he was as an announcer, but hearing Milo is a good start on that appreciation road.

I think we in Houston simply should be thankful that Elston has gotten recognized this much and root for him as hard as we can. However, I would say that the Ford Frick award (while prestigious) is more of popularity (how long have you been in it) game than anything else.