Re: BRING OUT YOUR DEAD (Part Whatever)
Baseball has lost some class. I've never seen a game in Yankee Stadium but his delivery was well known. He played himself in "Anger Management" and his voice was part of the narrative in "61*" His voice was heard in numerous other films, too. Where does baseball find these guys? As a Cubs fan, I grew up with this guy:
Frank Pieper (Pat)
Born February 17, 1886 in Hanover, Germany
Died October 22, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois USA
[edit] Biographical information
Pat Pieper served as the Chicago Cubs field (public address) announcer from 1916 to 1974, a span of 59 years. Coincidentally, his first year as announcer was also the first season in which Wrigley Field was used as the home park of the Cubs. He first used a PA system in 1932 - before that, he used a megaphone. As field announcer, he announced the lineups, who was up to bat, and so forth. He missed just 16 home games during his time with the Cubs - none after 1924. After games, he'd serve as a waiter at night.[1] He worked at the very upscale Ivanhoe's on Clark St.
Although he started as the field announcer in 1916, he had been employed by the Cubs since 1904. Originally, he served as a vendor at the West Side Grounds.
His trademark phrase at the beginning of each game was, "Attention! Attention, please! Have your pencils and scorecards ready, and I will give you the correct lineups for today's game." Sheppard had that wonderfully mellifluous delivery, while Pieper didn't have the pipes, he did have a style that made you listen.
Pieper died on October 22, 1974. In 1996, he was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Walk of Fame.
For most of his career, Pieper worked between the screen and the wall behind home plate. He wore a brown umpire-style outfit and brought new balls out to the umps. He was working the day Ruth "called his shot," and always maintained that's just what the Bambino did.
During his annual TV interview Jack Brickhouse would ask Pat how long he'd been working for the Cubs. And the answer was always a variation of: "I'm in the 8th year of my second 50 year contract." Imagine, not missing a game from 1924 to 1974!
I say again, where does baseball find these guys?