Bob Wolff

Sports broadcast legend Bob Wolff is an ageless wonder. He began an illustrious, career that has spanned NINE decades on CBS Radio’s WDNC in Durham in 1939 – when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President, Spencer Tracy was best actor and LaGuardia Airport first opened. The Hall of Famer is recognized by the Guinness Book World Records as the longest-running TV and radio sports broadcaster in history – and as 2017 rings in, he has been on the airwaves for 78 consecutive years.

 Bob interviewed the fabled Babe Ruth (ironically he was born in 1920, the year the Babe was traded to the Yankees), and is still around to talk about it. Now a spry 96, he has hosted the Con Edison Scholastic Sports Award Program, now airing on WHUD Radio, for the past 38 years, and sports commentary on News 12 Long Island, to keep the streak alive. Here’s a radio audio link, and more details are below.  http://www.whud.com/con-edison-athlete-of-the-week/.

 Says Wolff on his longevity: “Most sportscasters live long lives on the air, so perhaps it’s the tension and excitement of sports that’s good for the body.” (Cases in point, Vin Scully retired from his perch as Voice of the Dodgers at age 88; Ernie Harwell passed at age 92 following a long run as Voice of the Detroit Tigers, and Chick Hearn passed at age 85 when he was still calling Lakers games).

 “What an honor it is for Con Edison to work with Legendary, Hall of Famer,  Bob Wolff, in our 66^thseason recognizing outstanding Scholar Athletes,” says Con Ed’s Orlando Alves.

Wolff is the only sportscaster to call the play by play of the championships in all four major sports: The World Series, of course, as well as the Stanley Cup Championship, the Super Bowl and NBA championship.

He is enshrined in the media wing of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as recipient of the Curt Gowdy Award. In his ninth decade, a career that began as a student at Duke University, he continues his reign as the world’s longest-running TV and radio sportscaster at age 96.

Despite all the accolades, Bob has remained a humble good guys, and says: “My biggest achievement was in marrying the right person,” referring to his wife of 71 years, Jane.

He did play-by-play for the Holiday Festival for 29 years, the National Invitation Tournament for 25 years, and was the television voice of both New York Knicks NBA championships in 1969-73 and ’72-73, all on MSG Network. Wolff’s call of Yankees pitcher Don Larsen’s perfect game, the only one in World Series history, is one for the ages.

“I’ve always been proud to be a sportscaster,” says Bob. “All upbeat people who enjoy what they doing, respect the work of their colleagues and enjoy the opportunities to entertain others. They all have bills to pay, but have the privilege of working in a fun business.”