Bob Elson

Robert Adolph Elson

• School Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University
• High School DePaul Academy

• Born March 22, 1904 in Chicago, IL USA
• Died March 10, 1981 in Chicago, IL USA

Biographical Information

Bob Elson is an American broadcaster who primarily worked out of Chicago, IL. From 1930 to 1941, he called Chicago Cubs games. After World War II, where he served in the Navy and achieved the rank of commander, with his responsibilities centering on arranging entertainment for troops deplyed in the field, Elson joined the Chicago White Sox for twenty-five seasons. In 1971, he called a season of ballgames for the Oakland A's.

Bob Elson was twice the Sporting News Broadcaster of the Year. He called nine All-Star Games and twelve World Series. In 1943, he was granted leave from the Navy to call the 1943 All-Star Game.

In 1979, Bob Elson was the third recipient of the Ford Frick Award.

Further Reading

• Fred Taylor: "Bob Elson", in Gregory H. Wolf, ed.: Winning on the North Side: the 1929 Chicago Cubs, SABR, Phoenix, AZ, 2015, pp. 242-246. ISBN 978-1-933599-89-2

Related Sites

• Bob Elson at the SABR Bio Project
• Bob Elson and WGN-Chicago at the SABR Bio Project