Published On: 07.25.19 | 

By: 14236

On this day in Alabama history: New York Yankees honored Mel Allen

July 25 feature

In 1937, Mel Allen became an announcer for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in New York, giving play-by-play for the New York Giants and Washington Nationals baseball teams. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama Libraries)

July 25, 1998

The New York Yankees dedicated a plaque on this day in memory of Birmingham-born sports announcer Mel Allen for Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. Allen was born Melvin Allen Israel on Feb. 14, 1913 and was a sportscaster best known for his long tenure as play-by-play announcer for the Yankees. Allen’s career peak hit during the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, and he was arguably the most prominent voice in his profession. Allen died in June 1996 and years after his death, he’s still known as “The Voice of the Yankees.”

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.

For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.