The voice of Mel Allen is as resonantly warm and friendly as it is deep and authoritative. First heard on the radio in 1935, when he did football games for the University of Alabama, Allen continued on the air through the 1980s narrating television's "This Week In Baseball."
He became famous as the "Voice of the Yankees" (1939-64), a job and a team he loved. His home-run call, "That ball is going, going, gone!" became a trademark, as did his frequent exclamation, "How about that!" In 1978 he and Red Barber were the first broadcasters voted into the Hall of Fame (in the so-called Writers' Wing). (MG)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 16, 1996: Long-time voice of the Yankees Mel Allen dies at age 83.
»July 6, 2000:
The American Sportscasters Association names Dodgers legend Vin Scully as the No. 1 sportscaster of the 20th century. Howard Cosell finishes 2nd, followed by Mel Allen and Red Barber.