Jack Brickhouse

Jack Brickhouse

Jack Brickhouse was the voice of the Chicago Cubs from 1948 until his retirement following the 1981 season. As a sports broadcaster he covered many of the Chicago Teams. He also handled the games for the Chicago White Sox until 1968. He also covered the Bears on radio and the Chicago Bulls for a short time. He was the voice behind the famous Willie Mays catch. But his legacy will always be tied to the Chicago Cubs.

Television coverage and WGNTV all started with Jack. His approach was he allowed the television to do its job by not hammering information down the viewer's throat. Instead, he would make intellectual commentary that added to the game being played, and make it more interactive for the fans.

Often when people who have followed the Cubs for any length of time are asked, they will tell you that Jack Brickhouse was the reason they became a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs. As a kid I remember running home from school so I could catch the end of a Cubs game. Sitting there and watching his coverage on WGNTV, brought the experience right into your living room.

Hey Hey

In fact, most of us know that he is the one that catch phrased the term, "Hey, Hey" whenever the Cubs would hit one into the bleachers. To his tribute if you look at the flag poles at Wrigley Field, you will see these words spelled out.

Because he was an important part of the team, there is a statue that was cast in his honor on Michigan Avenue, in downtown Chicago. This is a place that many people stop by and remember the legend that was Jack Brickhouse.

He was also the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. This is a prestigious honor awarded to only the most top notch baseball broadcasters.

As you may have noticed, I am talking about the legend in the past tense. The voice of the Cubs died on March 3, 1998 after a surgery to remove a brain tumor led him to having cardiac arrest. This was one of the saddest days in Chicago Cubs history, and every new play by play announcer that has appeared on WGNTV has some pretty big shoes to fill.

While his run might have only last until 1981, his memory lives on in fans old and new. When you mention his name, people put an instant recognize as to who he is, similar to some of the popular athletes today. He was a man that remained respected, and delivered his presence with quality, class and importance. Current broadcasters should take note of how Jack Brickhouse handled his announcing, and do their best to follow in his footsteps.

If you have never watched one of his old broadcasts, head on over to YouTube and check one out from the number on there, some are radio snippets and others are from his WGNTV days are available for viewing, don't be surprised if you spend an entire day watching his legacy unfold in front of you. He was a powerful man and a brilliant speaker. Jack Brickhouse is a man who most of us will continue to miss.

Shop Chicago Cubs Merchandise and Memorabilia