Bill O'Donnell (sportscaster)
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" O'Donnell, Jr. (June 4, 1926–October 29, 1982) was an American sportscaster
.
and Fordham University
. After serving in the Marines
during World War II
, he completed his education at Mohawk Valley Community College
, then began his sportscasting career calling Syracuse Chiefs minor-league baseball and Syracuse University football and basketball.
The Baltimore Orioles
hired O'Donnell in 1966, and he paired with Chuck Thompson
to call their games on WJZ-TV
(1966–1977), WBAL-AM
(1966–1978), and WFBR-AM (1979–1981). He also contributed to national coverage of the team's appearances in the 1969 World Series
on NBC Television and the 1971 World Series
on NBC Radio.
In addition to the Orioles, O'Donnell called Baltimore Colts
radio in 1968, and in the 1970s called regional MLB and NFL
coverage for NBC and college basketball for TVS Television Network
.
O'Donnell died of cancer
in 1982.
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
.
Biography
A native of The Bronx, New York, O'Donnell attended Fordham Preparatory SchoolFordham Preparatory School
Fordham Preparatory School is a private Jesuit all-boys high school located in the Bronx, New York City, with an enrollment of approximately 950 students. It is located on the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University....
and Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. After serving in the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he completed his education at Mohawk Valley Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College is a two-year college of the State University of New York located in Oneida County, New York in the United States...
, then began his sportscasting career calling Syracuse Chiefs minor-league baseball and Syracuse University football and basketball.
The Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
hired O'Donnell in 1966, and he paired with Chuck Thompson
Chuck Thompson
Charles L. "Chuck" Thompson was an American sportscaster best known for his broadcasts of Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles and the National Football League's Baltimore Colts...
to call their games on WJZ-TV
WJZ-TV
WJZ-TV, channel 13, is an owned and operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Baltimore, Maryland. WJZ-TV's studios and offices are located on Television Hill in the Woodberry section of Baltimore, adjacent to the transmission tower it shares with four other Baltimore...
(1966–1977), WBAL-AM
WBAL (AM)
WBAL is a news-talk radio station located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. WBAL broadcasts on a clear channel frequency with 50 kilowatts of power. Owned by the Hearst Corporation, WBAL's tri-mast transmitters are located in Randallstown, Maryland...
(1966–1978), and WFBR-AM (1979–1981). He also contributed to national coverage of the team's appearances in the 1969 World Series
1969 World Series
The 1969 World Series was played between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, with the Mets prevailing in five games to accomplish one of the greatest upsets in Series history, as that particular Orioles squad was considered to be one of the finest ever...
on NBC Television and the 1971 World Series
1971 World Series
The 1971 World Series matched the defending champion Baltimore Orioles against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Pirates winning in seven games. Game 4, played in Pittsburgh, was the first-ever World Series game scheduled to be played at night....
on NBC Radio.
In addition to the Orioles, O'Donnell called Baltimore Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
radio in 1968, and in the 1970s called regional MLB and NFL
NFL on NBC
NFL on NBC is the brand given to NBC Sports coverage of National Football League games until 1998, when NBC lost the NFL American Football Conference rights to CBS...
coverage for NBC and college basketball for TVS Television Network
TVS Television Network
The TVS Television Network, or TVS for short, was a syndicator of American sports programming. It was one of several "occasional" national television networks that sprang up in the early 1960s to take advantage of the establishment of independent television stations and relaxation of the AT&T...
.
O'Donnell died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in 1982.