BROADCAST  INFLUENCES

Marv Albert

Johnny Most

Ned Martin

My play-by-play influences are quite vast and varied. I am a hockey announcer first and foremost, so my earliest role models behind the hockey microphones were, on television, Fred Cusick on WSBK TV 38 in Boston, and on radio, Bob Wilson, of WBZ radio, also in Boston. But my favorites were not limited to this geographical region. On television, some of the great announcers that influenced me were Tim Ryan of NBC, Dan Kelly of CBS, (and then KMOX in St. Louis), and Mike Emrick, who did games for ESPN in the 80's with Bill Clement.

On the radio, I listened to every game I could. I heard and learned from all the great hockey announcers- Bruce Martyn on WJR in Detroit, Marv Albert on New York Rangers radio, Mike Lange on KDKA in Pittsburgh, and possibly my favorite of all, Ron Weber on WTOP in Washington. Another great one was Gene Hart, who did Philadelphia Flyers hockey for many years.

On baseball terms, growing up in Boston there has been no shortage of great play-by-play announcers that I gathered broadcasting tips from , names such as Ned Martin, Ken Coleman, Bob Starr, Joe Castiglione and Jerry Trupiano. Some of my other influences in baseball were Sean McDonough, and the great Vin Scully. Other favorites were Detroit's Ernie Harwell, St.Louis' Jack Buck and Philadelphia's Harry Kalas.

In basketball, my all-time favorite was the late, great Johnny Most of the Boston Celtics. Joe Tait of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mike Gorman of the Boston Celtics, the late Chick Hearn of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Marv Albert of the New York Knicks were also were also high on my list of premiere announcers.

Football has provided many influences for me as well. I particularly enjoy Gil Santos of the New England Patriots and Merrill Reese of the Philadelphia Eagles on the radio side, and on TV my favorites are Mike Patrick of ESPN, Al Michaels of NBC, CBS' Dick Enberg, and FOX' Dick Stockton.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention a very huge influence- my parents. They have been a tremendous source of support to me over the years. They were good enough to tolerate all of my sportscaster fantasies growing up, including me being alone in my room, turning the sound down on the television set, and pretending to broadcast the game myself. For that I will always be grateful for their love and support. Thanks Mom and Dad.

And most of all, to my beautiful and supportive wife, Lori-Ann. No matter how crazy I get in this business, she stands with me every step of the way. I have never been around a more loving and supportive person in all my life. She is a miracle, and if not for her, I don't know how I could have enjoyed half the success I've had. Thank you angel.