ESPN

Roy Firestone

Bill Thompson

When he was still in his teens in the 1960s, Roy Firestone got an up-close look at Major League Baseball, as a spring training bat boy for the Baltimore Orioles in Florida.

But instead of following that career path and becoming a bat boy the rest of his life, Roy Firestone cut into television. Starting in Miami, then moving to Los Angeles, Firestone established himself as a skilled Sports commentator and interviewer.

In 1980 he joined ESPN, posting their so-called “Up Close.”

I met him in 1993, what he wrote a book called up close and in your

So here now, from 1993, Roy Firestone.

Roy Firestone will be 68 in December. He is still seen on television on “Good Day L.A.”

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Dick VitaleJoe Garagiola

Dick Vitale

Bill Thompson
Photo: Dave Hogg

You would probably be hard-pressed to find a person with more natural energy and enthusiasm than Dick Vitale — former high school, college, and NBA basketball coach turn sports broadcaster.

Indeed, it’s kind of hard to think of college basketball these days without Dick Vitale coming to mind.

And when I met him, more than 32 years ago now, he seemed as perplexed as anyone by how successful he had actually become.

So here now, from 1988, Dick Vitale:

Dick Vitale wil be 82 in June. And still going strong.