Oct. 8, 1964 - The New York Yankees were reported today to be looking for a new baseball announcer to join their radio and television staff next season. There were indications that the search had been underway for several months and that several announcers were being considered.
This week, there was much speculation about possible changes in the broadcasting staff because Phil Rizzuto (pictured) rather than Mel Allen was named as a broadcaster for the World Series. Allen, who has been with the Yankees 25 years, has broadcast more World Series games than any other announcer. He has said that so far as he knows, however, he will be broadcasting for the team next season.
It became known this week that the Yankees had decided to submit Rizzuto’s name as a World Series announcer. Officially, the selections are made by Ford Frick, baseball commissioner.
One source said today that a nationally known sports announcer had been approached by the Yankees, but that no deal had been made. The Yankees have made no announcement about broadcasting plans for next year. Usually, the members of the staff, which also includes Red Barber and Jerry Coleman, are subject to contract renewals each year.
Today, CBS, which recently agreed to buy 80% of the Yankees’ stock, denied that it had anything to do with Allen’s replacement for the World Series. Rizzuto is under contract to the CBS radio network to do a sports program. A CBS spokesman said the company would not take controlling interest in the Yankees until Nov. 2 and, as of now, it had no voice in the club’s operation.
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