Ford Frick Award

This excellence in baseball broadcasting award was first given in 1978 to recognize the broadcaster for his or her major contributions to baseball via the broadcast booth. The Ford Frick Award winners are selected by a committee of baseball executives and media personnel and the trophy is given during the annual induction ceremonies at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"Gene Elston's soothing voice and knowledgeable broadcasts helped educate and entertain generations of budding fans as baseball headed south. Today, the Houston-area is one the real baseball hotbeds in the country, and Gene's influence for a quarter of a century is largely responsible. We can't wait to honor Gene and his family this summer in Cooperstown." - Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey (National Baseball Hall of Fame Newsletter, 02/22/2006)
Ford Frick Award

Microphone used by Ernie Harwell

Microphone used by Ernie Harwell

In Chronological Order

Year

Broadcaster

Year

Broadcaster

1978

Mel Allen

1994

Bob Murphy

Red Barber

1995

Bob Wolff

1979

Bob Elson

1996

Herb Carneal

1980

Russ Hodges

1997

Jimmy Dudley

1981

Ernie Harwell

1998

Jaime Jarrin

1982

Vin Scully

1999

Arch McDonald

1983

Jack Brickhouse

2000

Marty Brennaman

1984

Curt Gowdy

2001

Felo Ramirez

1985

Buck Canel

2002

Harry Kalas

1986

Bob Prince

2003

Bob Uecker

1987

Jack Buck

2004

Lon Simmons

1988

Lindsey Nelson

2005

Jerry Coleman

1989

Harry Caray

2006

Gene Elston

1990

By Saam

2007

Denny Matthews

1991

Joe Garagiola

2008

Dave Niehaus

1992

Milo Hamilton

2009

Tony Kubek

1993

Chuck Thompson

2010

Not Yet Awarded

Year

Broadcaster

Year

Broadcaster

Ford Frick Award


The winners of the Ford Frick Award are not truly "members" of the hall of fame. Their names are inscribed on an exhibit called "Scribes and Mikemen" outside of the main library at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ford Frick — this award is named in his honor — might be best thought of as the Commish of Major League Baseball, but did you know that he was originally a reporter who became a National League public relations officer?

When Harry Caray (the recipient of the Ford Frick Award in 1989) passed away, the Chicago Cubs wore an honorary patch during the following season in his honor.