Latest news with #AlTrautwig
New York Times
25-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Al Trautwig, a Mainstay in the TV Booth at Madison Square Garden, Dies at 68
Al Trautwig, who brought sports fans along with him to New York's Canyon of Heroes, champagne-doused locker rooms and the medal podium at the Olympics over a broadcast career that spanned more than three decades, died at his home on Long Island on Sunday. He was 68. His death was confirmed on Monday by his son, Alex Trautwig, who said that the cause was complications from cancer. In the largest U.S. media market, one where no detail is too minute for newspaper back pages and sports talk radio, Mr. Trautwig was a familiar face on New York Rangers and Knicks broadcasts for a generation on MSG Networks. He also covered Yankees games before the team created its own cable network in 2002. The son of Long Island had a wider audience: he covered 16 Olympics, most recently for NBC and focusing on gymnastics. His work earned him four national Emmys and more than 30 New York Emmys, his son said. He was also named New York Sportscaster of the Year in 2000. Mr. Trautwig's death was announced earlier on Monday by Alan Hahn, an ESPN Radio host and a studio analyst for MSG Networks, who described him in a social media post as a mentor and teacher. 'Al Trautwig had an amazing voice and knew how to use it the way a tenor could bring depth and intensity to a song,' Mr. Hahn wrote. Mr. Trautwig's ascent on cable television coincided with a New York sports renaissance in the mid-1990s, one that has yet to be replicated. It was largely defined by the 1994 hockey and basketball season, and cemented by the Yankees dynasty that began in 1996. In 1994, Madison Square Garden was living up to its self-styled moniker as 'the world's most famous arena,' hosting Knicks and Rangers games — and celebrities — as both teams made deep playoff runs. Both of the arena's tenants made the championship round and each series went the full seven games. The Rangers won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1940 and the Knicks lost to the Houston Rockets. Mr. Trautwig was in the center of the action, including in Lower Manhattan, where a ticker-tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes culminated. He emceed the ceremony, while New York's mayor, Rudolph W. Giuliani, presented the players with keys to the city. 'In 1940, we know that the Rangers went to a small room at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto and held a private party,' Mr. Trautwig told viewers before the ceremony. 'There was no ticker-tape parade, no parade at all. Very few people even knew when the Stanley Cup arrived in New York, but this is what a 54-year wait will do.' The timing could not have been better for Mr. Trautwig, who was also a mainstay of MSG's Yankees broadcasts. Starting in 1996, the team won the World Series four times in five years, including a 2000 victory over the crosstown New York Mets. 'Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable,' MSG Networks said in a statement on Monday. 'He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history.' Mr. Trautwig left MSG in 2021 when it did not renew his contract, Newsday reported last year. At the time, he said that he did not hold a grudge against his longtime TV home. His last Olympics broadcast for NBC was in 2016. At the time, Mr. Trautwig sparked controversy when he would not acknowledge that the grandparents of the star gymnast Simone Biles had become her adoptive parents. When a viewer criticized the description he used on air at the Games in Rio de Janeiro, Mr. Trautwig responded on Twitter: 'They may be mom and dad but they are NOT her parents.' He later apologized. Born Feb. 26, 1956, in Oceanside, N.Y., Alan Trautwig was the son of the late Otto and Martha Trautwig. In addition to his son, Alex Trautwig, he is survived by his wife, Cathleen Trautwig, whom he met as a student at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y. He worked at the student radio station and graduated from business school at Adelphi in 1978. He was a nonathlete member of the Adelphi Athletics Hall of Fame and was an adjunct professor at the university. Mr. Trautwig's success also brought him other opportunities on both the big and small screens. He had a cameo in 'Cool Runnings,' the 1993 Disney movie about the Jamaican bobsled team that competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics. He also appeared in an episode of 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and in the 1996 sports comedy 'Eddie' that starred Whoopi Goldberg. Sweeny Murti, a senior contributor for MLB Media, noted on X that a photograph of Mr. Trautwig interviewing Derek Jeter hangs on the press level at Yankee Stadium. The photo was reposted by the Yankees play-by-play man Michael Kay. 'He was meant to be on the air,' Mr. Kay wrote. 'Smooth. Unflappable.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al Trautwig, MSG, NHL and Olympics sportscaster, dies at 68
NEW YORK — Al Trautwig, a sportscaster known for his work on MSG locally as well as the NHL and Olympics nationally, has died. He was 68. Alan Hahn, his former colleague at MSG, shared the news on social media Monday. 'We lost a legendary voice in sports,' Hahn wrote on X. 'But we lost a lot more than that. He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career. 'Al Trautwig had an amazing voice and knew how to use it the way a tenor could bring depth and intensity to a song. He loved sports and had incredible versatility from baseball to basketball and hockey. And that's not even counting his incredible work at the Olympics. 'He was the voice of @msgnetworks. He was a skilled host who knew how to make every game feel like something you don't want to miss. I'd say I'm sad, but he'd hate that. 'Get the f— over it!' he would bark. 'You've got a show to do!' Godspeed, Al.' No cause of death was given, but Trautwig had recently received additional treatment for cancer, according to Deadline and Newsday. He took a leave of absence from MSG in 2019 when he was first diagnosed. Trautwig was a play-by-play announcer and studio host at MSG for Knicks, Rangers and Yankees games, working at the network for more than 30 years. He was also an announcer for USA when it aired NHL games in the 1980s. The Long Island native covered Olympics gymnastics between 2000-2016, the US Open tennis tournament and the Tour de France, among other major sporting events. Trautwig also played himself in 'Cool Runnings,' a sports comedy about the Jamaican bobsled team competing at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. 'MSG Networks is truly saddened by the news of Al Trautwig's passing,' the network said in a statement shared with the NewYorkDaily News. 'Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable. He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends.' ____
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Iconic New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68
Iconic New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68 Al Trautwig, an iconic New York City sports broadcaster who covered the area for more than 30 years and did multiple Olympic Games, died at the age of 68. His son, Alex, confirmed his death to the Associated Press, saying his father died Sunday at his home on Long Island due to complications of cancer. Trautwig was most notably part of the MSG Network in New York City, spending various time serving as the host of the pre- and postgame coverage for the New York Yankees, New York Knicks and New York Rangers. He was a mainstay for the city's sports viewers and helped elevate the magical feel from iconic venues in Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium. "Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable," MSG said in a statement. "He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends." In addition to his time in New York City, Trautwig covered 16 Olympic Games, and notably served as the main play-by-play announcer for international gymnastics events, including each Summer Olympics from 2000-2016. While also spending time with NBC, ABC and CBS, he worked the Indianapolis 500, Tour de France and the Little League Baseball World Series. He also made a cameo appearance in the 1993 film "Cool Runnings." Trautwig's last appearance on television was in 2021 after MSG opted not to renew his contract. He won four national Emmy Awards, more than 30 New York Emmys and the 2000 New York State Sportscaster of the Year Award.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iconic New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68
Al Trautwig, an iconic New York City sports broadcaster who covered the area for more than 30 years and did multiple Olympic Games, died at the age of 68. His son, Alex, confirmed his death to the Associated Press, saying his father died Sunday at his home on Long Island due to complications of cancer. Trautwig was most notably part of the MSG Network in New York City, spending various time serving as the host of the pre- and postgame coverage for the New York Yankees, New York Knicks and New York Rangers. He was a mainstay for the city's sports viewers and helped elevate the magical feel from iconic venues in Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium. "Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable," MSG said in a statement. "He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends." In addition to his time in New York City, Trautwig covered 16 Olympic Games, and notably served as the main play-by-play announcer for international gymnastics events, including each Summer Olympics from 2000-2016. While also spending time with NBC, ABC and CBS, he worked the Indianapolis 500, Tour de France and the Little League Baseball World Series. He also made a cameo appearance in the 1993 film "Cool Runnings." Trautwig's last appearance on television was in 2021 after MSG opted not to renew his contract. He won four national Emmy Awards, more than 30 New York Emmys and the 2000 New York State Sportscaster of the Year Award. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68; covered Yankees, Knicks, Rangers
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longtime New York sports broadcaster Al Trautwig dies at 68 from complications of cancer
Al Trautwig, one of the most recognizable sports broadcasters in New York and a fixture at numerous international sporting events for more than three decades, has died. He was 68. Trautwig's son, Alex, told The Associated Press his father died Sunday at his home on Long Island from complications of cancer. Trautwig was part of MSG pre- and postgame broadcasts of the NBA's Knicks, NHL's Rangers and Major League Baseball's Yankees. He also worked 16 Olympics, the Indianapolis 500, the Tour de France and the U.S. Open tennis tournament, and won four national Emmy Awards and more than 30 in New York. 'Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable,' MSG said in a statement. "He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends.' For many fans watching games on TV in New York, Trautwig's voice was often the first they heard. With a natural storytelling style, he used his pregame introductions to make big games at Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium feel even bigger, while rarely needing to raise the level of his voice. MSG Networks studio analyst Alan Hahn, who called Trautwig a friend, mentor and a career resource of support, said the accomplished sportscaster 'was a skilled host who knew how to make every game feel like something you don't want to miss.' "We lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that," Hahn wrote in a series of social media posts. 'Al Trautwig had an amazing voice and knew how to use it the way a tenor could bring depth and intensity to a song. ... He loved sports and had incredible versatility from baseball to basketball and hockey. And that's not even counting his incredible work at the Olympics.' ___ AP Sports Writer Brian Mahoney in New York contributed to this report. ___ AP sports:
