Steady play-by-play man Jon Miller, who has served as the voice of five Major League Baseball teams during his career, was named Monday as the recipient of the 2010 recipient of the Ford Frick Award.The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum made the announcement. The Frick Award, presented annually since 1978, recognizes major contributions to baseball broadcasting. And Miller clearly has been a major contributor to the sport over the airwaves.
Miller has earned recognition both locally and nationally for his work. He started with the Oakland A's in 1974 and then moved to the Texas Rangers (1978-79) and Boston Red Sox (1980-82). The bulk of his career came with he Cal Ripen-era Baltimore Orioles (1983-96) before he moved back to his native San Francisco to work for the Giants in 1997.He has been the lead play-by-play man for ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" broadcasts since 1990.
With the emergence of regional sports networks, the demise of a true game of the week on network TV and the plethora of baseball games available throughout the season, Miller served as one of the few national voices for the game because of his ESPN assignment. Plus, he was in San Francisco as Barry Bonds chased numerous records late in his career.
Still, it was not just location that defined Miller's career. He has made the most of his opportunities with a great voice and a great feel for the game. He will be inducted into the broadcaster's wing of the Hall of Fame this summer -- and it's a well-deserved honor.