Jan. 8, 1963 - Richie Ashburn (pictured in 1957) disclosed today that he had retired from active baseball and would broadcast Philadelphia games on color television this year. After 15 years in the majors, Ashburn said he had joined a team of sports broadcasters for the S.W. Ayer and Sons Agency of Philadelphia, which will televise Phillies baseball this season. Asked if this meant his permanent retirement from baseball, he said, “It looks like it.” Ashburn, an outfielder, played for the New York Mets last season. He batted .306. Ashburn said he planned to leave the last week in February for the Phils’ spring training camp in Clearwater, Fla. Richie played 12 years for the Phils.
