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March 10
Bob Elson "The 'Ol Commander" March 10
TODAY ON THE DAILY HIGHLIGHT
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Passed away March 10, 1981 Bob Elson was a pioneering American sportscaster whose voice became synonymous with Chicago baseball. Known as “The ‘Ol Commander,” Elson called an estimated 5,000 Major League Baseball games, most notably as the voice of the Chicago White Sox for parts of four decades. His career began unexpectedly in 1928 when he was mistakenly ushered into a radio audition in St. Louis. A natural behind the microphone, he soon landed a job at WGN in Chicago, where he became the voice of both the Cubs and White Sox.
Elson’s smooth and steady broadcasting style made him a fixture in sports media. He covered multiple World Series and All-Star Games alongside legends like Red Barber. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy, earning his famous nickname. In 1979, his contributions to the industry were recognized with the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Beyond baseball, Elson’s talents extended to football, hockey, and celebrity interviews, making him one of the most versatile broadcasters of his era. Though overlooked for the 1959 White Sox World Series coverage, his legacy remained strong. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 76, leaving behind a lasting impact on sports broadcasting.
Game of the DayAll Star Game July 14, 1970
AL vs NL at Riverfront Stadium
Pete Rose topples Ray Fosse
Did you know?
March 10, 1963, a little known minor league infielder named Pete Rose plays in his first spring training game. The 21-year-old Rose, who goes 2-for-2 in his debut against the Chicago White Sox, will make the Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day roster. As the team’s starting second baseman, Rose will win the National League’s Rookie of the Year.
🎙️ Classic Baseball Moment of the Day! 🎙️
Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history?
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Relive baseball history, one play at a time. Dive into the archives and feel the magic of baseball’s golden era.
Trivia:
From 1946 - 1975 Bob Elson worked in Chicago for the Cubs, White Sox, and Blackhawks (hockey) except for one year. What year did he broadcasts games from another team in another city and what team was it?
Hint: The answer is below
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
March 10, 1904 -- New York Giants players leave Mobile, AL ahead of the law after a local judge issues a warrant for their arrest for beating a local umpire unconscious during an exhibition game. The players were goaded by manager John McGraw
March 10, 1966 -- The Orioles trade minor league outfielder Lou Piniella to the Indians for reserve catcher Camilo Carreon, who will play in only four games for his new team before retiring at the end of the season. The Tribe’s latest flycatcher will appear in more than 1,700 big league games, but only six games for Cleveland, all in 1968.
March 10, 1982, shortstop Travis Jackson and former commissioner Happy Chandler are elected to the Hall of Fame. Jackson played 15 years for the New York Giants, batting .291 for his career. Chandler served as baseball’s leader for six years and oversaw the end of baseball’s color line in 1947, when Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
March 10, 1983, the Veterans Committee announces the election of Walter Alston and George Kell to the Hall of Fame. Alston managed the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers to four World Series championships, while always working under one-year contracts. Kell, a standout third baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, batted over .300 nine times, was a 10-time All-Star, and topped American League third basemen in fielding percentage seven times during a 15-season career.
Quote of the day:
"Good night Irene!"Bob Elson homerun call
MILESTONES
Birthday Boys
John Briggs, Ken Mackenzie
Debuts
None today
Final Games
None Today
Passings
Bob Elson, Bob Nieman, Jesus Alou and Kent Hadley
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Trivia Answer: He called Oakland Athletics games in 1971, after dismal 1970 season and new owners the White Sox made sweeping changes and Elson was hanging in the wind. Red Rush pleaded with Charlie Finley to hire Elson. Finley conceded, and Elson got a one-year contract for 1971 to do an inning per game and a postgame show. Elson packed his bags and took a hotel room in Oakland, but the arrangement never worked. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season; he was free to return to his beloved Chicago. Elson recalled his Oakland experience: “I never enjoyed it. Finley won’t let you enjoy anything. He’s a very smart baseball man, and he put together a championship team. But he missed the human equation. People don’t mean anything to him. And that’s a sad state of affairs.”
