Ford Frick Award

From BR Bullpen

The Ford C. Frick Award is named after Commissioner Ford Frick, who began his involvement with baseball as a member of the media. It has been awarded annually for "meritorious service by baseball broadcasters" since 1978. The winner's name is inscribed on a plaque at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Often, winners of the Frick Award are introduced as a "Hall of Famer;" this is incorrect as Frick Award winners are not inducted to the Hall of Fame. It is, however, the highest award given to broadcasters by the Hall of Fame. To date, no broadcaster has been elected to the actual Hall.

Traditionally, winners of the Frick Award are living broadcasters. It has only been awarded posthumously three times, to Russ Hodges, Bob Prince, and Arch McDonald. Winners also become lifetime members of the Hall of Fame's Veterans Committee.

Since the 2004 election, the Hall of Fame has allowed fans to winnow the list of nominees from ten to three. After the internet voting, a committee of twenty composed of past winners and other media personalities selects the recipient. The winner is usually announced in late February.

Winners may also be elected to another media Hall of Fames, most notably the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in Salisbury, North Carolina.

[edit] Award Winners

Year	Winner(s)
1978	Mel Allen and Red Barber
1979	Bob Elson
1980	Russ Hodges
1981	Ernie Harwell
1982	Vin Scully
1983	Jack Brickhouse
1984	Curt Gowdy
1985	Buck Canel
1986	Bob Prince
1987	Jack Buck
1988	Lindsey Nelson
1989	Harry Caray
1990	Byrum Saam
1991	Joe Garagiola
1992	Milo Hamilton
1993	Chuck Thompson
1994	Bob Murphy
1995	Bob Wolff
1996	Herb Carneal
1997	Jimmy Dudley
1998	Jaime Jarrin
1999	Arch McDonald
2000	Marty Brennaman
2001	Felo Ramirez
2002	Harry Kalas
2003	Bob Uecker
2004	Lon Simmons
2005	Jerry Coleman
2006	Gene Elston
2007	Denny Matthews