Jim Britt
Encyclopedia
Jim Britt was an American
sportscaster
who broadcast Major League Baseball
games in Boston, Massachusetts, and Cleveland, Ohio
, during the 1940s and 1950s. On June 15, 1948, Britt was at the microphone on WBZ-TV
for the first live telecast of a major league baseball game in New England
, as the Boston Braves
defeated the Chicago Cubs
, 6-3, at Braves Field
.
service in World War II
, Britt was the voice of both the National League
Braves and the American League
Boston Red Sox
, as the two teams broadcast home games only.
Because the MLB schedules were then arranged so that the two Boston clubs were never home on the same date, there were no schedule conflicts. As such, Britt was the voice of two pennant-winning clubs, the 1946
Red Sox and the 1948
Braves. At the close of the 1950
season, that arrangement ended and each team decided to air a full schedule of 154 games. Britt chose to stay with the Braves, and the Red Sox were left to look for their own #1 announcer.
As fate would have it, the Sox would hire the second-banana for the New York Yankees
— a Mel Allen
protege named Curt Gowdy
— who would be Voice of the Red Sox for 15 years before moving on to NBC's Game of the Week and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Ford C. Frick Award
winner. Meanwhile, the Braves' attendance fell disastrously in 1951
and 1952
, and the club moved to Milwaukee
during 1953
spring training
.
in 1954
, working through 1957
with Ken Coleman
, a native of the Boston area (and Gowdy's eventual successor, in 1966
, as Voice of the Red Sox). The highlight of Britt's Cleveland tenure was the Indians' 1954 American League pennant, although they lost in four straight games to the New York Giants
in the 1954 World Series
.
Nationally, Britt participated in the Mutual
network radio coverage of the World Series
in 1948
and 1950
, and worked on NBC's television coverage of the Series in 1949
and 1951
. He also announced several baseball All-Star Game
s in the late 1940s and early '50s, as well as NFL coverage
on the DuMont
network and college football coverage
(including the 1953 Sugar Bowl
game) on ABC
.
, which also telecast Red Sox games. But Britt never regained his former role on Red Sox broadcasts. Instead, he initiated a popular candlepin bowling
show that he would host until 1961, and served as host of Dateline: Boston, a predessor to many of the modern-day magazine-style television programs.
Britt died in San Francisco, California
, at age 70.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportscaster
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...
who broadcast Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games in Boston, Massachusetts, and Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, during the 1940s and 1950s. On June 15, 1948, Britt was at the microphone on WBZ-TV
WBZ-TV
WBZ-TV, virtual channel 4, is a CBS owned-and-operated television station, located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WBZ-TV's studios and office facilities, shared with sister station WSBK-TV , are located in the Allston-Brighton section of Boston, and its transmitter is located in Needham,...
for the first live telecast of a major league baseball game in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, as the Boston Braves
1948 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* October 28, 1947: Hoyt Wilhelm was purchased by the Braves from the Mooresville Moores....
defeated the Chicago Cubs
1948 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 9, 1947: Randy Jackson was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs.* December 6, 1947: Don Elston was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs.* Prior to 1948 season :**Jim Pearce was released by the Cubs....
, 6-3, at Braves Field
Braves Field
Braves Field was a baseball park that formerly stood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. The stadium was home to the Boston Braves National League franchise from 1915–1952, when the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
.
Boston Braves and Red Sox
From 1940 through 1950, with time out for United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
service in 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...
, Britt was the voice of both the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Braves and the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, as the two teams broadcast home games only.
Because the MLB schedules were then arranged so that the two Boston clubs were never home on the same date, there were no schedule conflicts. As such, Britt was the voice of two pennant-winning clubs, the 1946
1946 Boston Red Sox season
During the 1946 Boston Red Sox season, the Red Sox won their sixth American League championship, with a record of 104 wins and 50 losses. In the World Series, the Sox lost in 7 games to the St. Louis Cardinals...
Red Sox and the 1948
1948 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* October 28, 1947: Hoyt Wilhelm was purchased by the Braves from the Mooresville Moores....
Braves. At the close of the 1950
1950 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Philadelphia Phillies *All-Star Game, July 11 at Comiskey Park: National League, 4-3 -Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Carta Vieja *College World Series: Texas...
season, that arrangement ended and each team decided to air a full schedule of 154 games. Britt chose to stay with the Braves, and the Red Sox were left to look for their own #1 announcer.
As fate would have it, the Sox would hire the second-banana for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
— a Mel Allen
Mel Allen
Mel Allen was an American sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Allen was arguably the most prominent member of his profession, his voice familiar to millions...
protege named Curt Gowdy
Curt Gowdy
Curtis Edward "Curt" Gowdy was an American sportscaster, well known as the longtime "voice" of the Boston Red Sox and for his coverage of many nationally-televised sporting events, primarily for NBC Sports in the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:The son of a manager for the Union Pacific railroad,...
— who would be Voice of the Red Sox for 15 years before moving on to NBC's Game of the Week and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Ford C. Frick Award
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
winner. Meanwhile, the Braves' attendance fell disastrously in 1951
1951 Boston Braves season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1951 season: Georges Maranda was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games...
and 1952
1952 Boston Braves season
The Boston Braves season involved the 64-89 team finishing seventh in the National League, 32 games behind the pennant-winning Brooklyn Dodgers...
, and the club moved to Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
during 1953
1953 Milwaukee Braves season
The Milwaukee Braves season saw the return of Major League Baseball to Milwaukee for the first time since , when the Milwaukee Brewers played before moving to St. Louis and becoming the Browns. With attendance and interest in Boston very low, team owner Lou Perini moved the team to Milwaukee,...
spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
.
Cleveland Indians and national work
Britt did not accompany the Braves to Wisconsin. Instead, he joined the TV announcing crew of the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in 1954
1954 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians advanced to the World Series for the first time in six years. It was the team's third American League championship in franchise history...
, working through 1957
1957 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished sixth in the American League with a record of 76-77, 21½ games behind the New York Yankees- Regular season :The Indians season was marked by change...
with Ken Coleman
Ken Coleman
Kenneth R. Coleman was an American radio and television sportscaster for 38 years . He was born in Quincy, Massachusetts....
, a native of the Boston area (and Gowdy's eventual successor, in 1966
1966 Boston Red Sox season
The 1966 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 9th in the American League with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses, 26 games behind the Baltimore Orioles.- Offseason :* November 29, 1965: Jimy Williams was drafted from the Red Sox by the St...
, as Voice of the Red Sox). The highlight of Britt's Cleveland tenure was the Indians' 1954 American League pennant, although they lost in four straight games to the New York Giants
1954 New York Giants (MLB) season
The New York Giants season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Giants won the National League pennant with a record of 97 wins and 57 losses and then defeated the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.-Offseason:...
in the 1954 World Series
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
.
Nationally, Britt participated in the Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual
Major League Baseball on Mutual was the de facto title of the Mutual Broadcasting System's national radio coverage of Major League Baseball games. Mutual's coverage came about during the Golden Age of Radio in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s. During this period, television sports broadcasting was in its...
network radio coverage of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
in 1948
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
and 1950
1950 World Series
The 1950 World Series was the 47th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as 1950 champions of the National League and the New York Yankees, as 1950 American League champions, competed to win a best-of-seven...
, and worked on NBC's television coverage of the Series in 1949
1949 World Series
The 1949 World Series featured the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the Yankees winning in five games for their second defeat of the Dodgers in three years, and the twelfth championship in team history...
and 1951
1951 World Series
The 1951 World Series matched the two-time defending champion New York Yankees against the New York Giants, who had won the National League pennant in a thrilling three-game playoff with the Brooklyn Dodgers on the legendary home run by Bobby Thomson .In the Series, the Yankees showed some power of...
. He also announced several baseball All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
s in the late 1940s and early '50s, as well as NFL coverage
NFL on DuMont
The NFL on DuMont was an American television program that broadcast National Football League games on the now defunct DuMont Television Network. The program ran from 1951 to 1955.-1951-1952:...
on the DuMont
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
network and college football coverage
College Football on ABC
ESPN College Football on ABC presented by Kay Jewelers is a presentation of the American Broadcasting Company's regular season American college football television package...
(including the 1953 Sugar Bowl
1953 Sugar Bowl
The 1953 edition to the Sugar Bowl featured the second ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the seventh ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Georgia Tech won the matchup 24-7 to clinch a national championship....
game) on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
.
Return to Boston
Britt returned to Boston in the late 1950s as a sports announcer for the city's ABC affiliate, then WHDH-TVWCVB-TV
WCVB-TV, channel 5, is a television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, owned by Hearst Television and affiliated with the ABC Television Network. WCVB-TV's studios and transmitter are co-located in Needham, Massachusetts. WCVB is also one of six Boston television stations seen in Canada by...
, which also telecast Red Sox games. But Britt never regained his former role on Red Sox broadcasts. Instead, he initiated a popular candlepin bowling
Candlepin bowling
Candlepin bowling is a variation of Bowling that is played primarily in the Canadian Maritime provinces, Ontario, Quebec, and the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where it is more common than ten-pin bowling....
show that he would host until 1961, and served as host of Dateline: Boston, a predessor to many of the modern-day magazine-style television programs.
Britt died in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, at age 70.