Thomas Graham McNamee was an American radio broadcaster, the medium's most recognized national personality in its first international decade. He originated play-by-play sports broadcasting for which he was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.
McNamee c. 1932
McNamee at the 1924 World Series
McNamee's star (lower left) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball". It is named for Ford C. Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Prior to his career as an executive, Frick was a baseball writer and occasional broadcaster; he gained fame as a ghostwriter for Babe Ruth in the 1920s. The award was created in 1978, and named in tribute to Frick following his death that year.
Ford C. Frick, the award's namesake
Mel Allen, 1978 co-recipient
Harry Caray, 1989 recipient
Jaime Jarrín, 1998 recipient