Remembering Musser: Broadcaster dies

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Andy Musser, one of the true gentlemen of Philadelphia sports, has died. He passed away Sunday at his home in Wynnewood. He was 74.

Musser often talked about how lucky he was to have his dream job. He always wanted to be a sportscaster. He grew up in Harrisburg and as a teenager he won a junior sportscaster competition, which gave him the chance to sit in with the Phillies play-by-play announcers Gene Kelly and By Saam one night in 1956. That was how it all started.

He attended Syracuse University where he studied communications. After graduation, he took a radio job in San Diego, but he always hoped to return home. In 1965, he was hired by WCAU to do radio play-by-play of the Eagles. He was only 28 at the time, one of the youngest play-by-play men in the National Football League.

His style was easy and understated. He knew he was working with a superb color analyst in former Eagles coach Charlie Gauer so he just called the action and got out of the way. The two men worked together for four seasons until the Eagles broadcast rights were sold to WIP in 1969.

Musser did play-by-play for the Sixers and Big Five basketball (1965-71). He worked four years for CBS television doing Super Bowls, the World Series and the Masters golf tournament. He was a quick study. He could move from one sport to another without missing a beat.

In 1975, Saam, the Hall of Fame broadcaster who started doing Phillies games in 1938, retired. Musser was hired to replace him, joining Harry Kalas, Rich Ashburn and Robin Roberts in the booth. He remained a part of the Phillies radio and TV team for 26 years, fitting in seamlessly with Harry the K, Whitey and the rest of an ever-expanding cast. He left after the 2001 season.

What I remember best about Andy Musser was his warmth. In the press box, where egos are often so big they have to turn sidewise to fit through the door, Andy was an exception. He was down to earth and easy to approach. If a fan wanted a moment of his time or an autograph, he was happy to oblige.

Case in point: As a student at Temple University, I knew I wanted a career in the sports media, but I didnt know how to go about it. I thought it would help to speak to someone, but who? I recalled seeing Andy at Eagles training camp and he seemed like a nice guy, so I called WCAU and left a message. He called back within the hour.

When I explained what I wanted, he said it was no problem. He told me to meet him at the radio station the next day. He didnt know me. I was just some dumb college kid who wanted to take up his time, but he was OK with that. In fact, he could not have been more accommodating.

We met in his officeI still remember how small it wasand talked for more than hour. He talked about growing up in Harrisburg and summers spent as a batboy for the minor league Harrisburg Senators. His whole world was sports. Now, he said, its my living. He could not have been happier.

He was that way every day, or so it seemed. During his years with the Phillies, he was at the ball park early, hanging out at the batting cage, talking and taking notes. He never lost his love of the game. It was there in his voice every night. Thats why we listened. And thats why well remember.

He is survived by Eun Joo, his wife of 50 years; two children, Allan of Roswell, Ga., and Luanne Zimmerman of Lower Gwynedd and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 31 at 11 a.m., in the Sanctuary of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Foundation.

E-mail Ray Didinger at viewfromthehall@comcast.net

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