Last call

Andy Musser, right, in 1956 with Phillies broadcasters By Saam, standing, and Gene Kelly

Andy Musser, the pride of Lemoyne, Pa., and onetime batboy with the old Class B Harrisburg Senators, makes the final call of his long, distinguished career as a radio and TV broadcaster 23 years ago today in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 8-3 loss at Atlanta.

At the time, Musser no longer is calling Phillies games on a regular basis, but is pinch-hitting on this day for Hall of Famer Harry Kalas.

Andy Musser at Veterans Stadium

Musser’s path to a 45-year career as a broadcaster starts in 1956 when, as an 18-year-old high school senior, he wins a contest to call an inning of a Phillies game at Connie Mack Stadium.

Musser works his inning as a teen with legendary broadcasters Gene Kelly and By Saam.

“I couldn't have envisioned this," Musser later says of parlaying a 1956 contest into a career.

“I still pinch myself, because I've been so fortunate," Musser says with a laugh. "The only one more fortunate than me was Richie Ashburn. He never worked a day in his life. He went from the playing field to the booth to the pine box."