Frank Messer

Wallace Frank Messer

• Born August 8, 1925 in Asheville, NC USA
• Died November 3, 2001 in Deerfield Beach, FL USA

Biographical Information

Frank Messer was a broadcaster who most famously was the play-by-play announcer for new York Yankees games for 18 years.

A World War II veteran, he began his career working in the minor leagues, including as the broadcaster for the Richmond Virginians of the International League from 1954 to 1963. He joined the Baltimore Orioles broadcast team in 1964 and in 1968, after Joe Garagiola left to join the NBC Network, became part of the Yankees' radio broadcast team alongside former players Jerry Coleman and Phil Rizzuto. His arrival filled a gap as the team did not include an actual sportscaster after the firing of Red Barber following the 1966 season.

In addition to working games, Messer served as the emcee of various high-profile events at Yankee Stadium, including Old Timers Games, and the retirement of Mickey Mantle's Uniform number in 1969. Coleman moved to the West Coast to work for the newly-formed San Diego Padres after that season and was replaced for one year by Bob Gamere. However, in 1971, the Yankees formed the first integrated broadcast crew in major league history when they hired former player Bill White. They stayed together until the end of the 1985 season, although various others such as Dom Valentino, Fran Healy and Bobby Murcer joined them for short periods as they had to cover both radio and television broadcasts. The group also regularly worked postseason games, as the Yankees were regular participants from 1976 to 1981. Among famous games which he worked was Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS, ended by Chris Chambliss' walk-off homer; the 1983 Pine Tar Game; and Dave Righetti 4th of July no-hitter that same year.

He was abruptly dismissed following the 1985 season (his last game had been Phil Niekro's 300th win) and reassigned to a meaningless front office job. He was allowed to leave to join the Chicago White Sox broadcast team in 1986 and 1987, and then worked for the CBS radio network until retiring in 1991.