Remembering Andy Musser

A young Andy Musser with By Saam and Gene Kelly

Longtime and oft-underappreciated broadcaster Andy Musser is born 86 years ago today in Harrisburg, Pa.

Musser, a batboy for the original Class B Harrisburg Senators in the early 1950s, spends much of his career in the Philadelphia Phillies’ booth being overshadowed by Hall of Famers Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn.

Musser, who dies in 2012, also builds an outstanding radio career that includes work with the Super Bowl, The Masters and the NBA.

His career gets going in 1956, when the 18-year-old Musser wins a regional contest for budding broadcasters.

The prize: Calling part of a Phillies home game the next season with another set of legendary announcers, Gene Kelly (center) and By Saam (standing). Not a bad way to start.