Gene Osborn
Encyclopedia
Gene Osborn was a radio
and television
broadcaster in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, known primarily as a color commentator for several major league baseball
teams.
He also had a substantial career in radio and television sports in Albuquerque, New Mexico
, which he considered his adopted hometown.
Osborn, the son of Elizabeth (née Collins) and James Osborn, was born and raised in Davenport
, Iowa
, where he played baseball and other sports. He attended St. Ambrose University, then known as St. Ambrose College. Osborn was considered a top draft prospect for the St Louis Cardinals. But his playing days were cut short when he suffered a knee injury. Osborn began his broadcast career in 1942 at station WQUA in Moline, Illinois.
In 1953, Osborn arrived in Albuquerque where he soon became the sports director of radio station KABQ
(AM). He did play-by-play broadcast for the Albuquerque Dukes of the West Texas-New Mexico League (and later the Western League). He was also the broadcaster for University of New Mexico
football and basketball. In 1954, Osborn was elected president of the Albuquerque Pressbox Association. Also in the mid-fifties, Osborn became sports director at Albuquerque television station KOAT-TV
, channel 7, an ABC affiliate. Later, the Dukes broadcasts were switched to KGGM
, 610 AM, and Osborn went there.
From 1959 to 1964, Osborn broadcast The Game of the Day on the Mutual Broadcasting System
and also did University of Michigan
and Michigan State University
sports broadcasts.
In 1965, Osborn was hired as a radio announcer for the Detroit Tigers
, working with legendary announcer Ernie Harwell
. Osborn was fired after the 1966 season and replaced by Ray Lane
. Osborn then returned to Albuquerque where Doubleday Broadcasting, the then-new owners of radio station KDEF 1150 AM, hired him as sports director. Once again, Gene Osborn would be the voice of UNM Lobo sports. He also resumed duties as sports director at KOAT television.
Osborn then worked with Bob Prince
and Nellie King
on the KDKA
broadcasts of the Pittsburgh Pirates
during the 1970 season. He became KOAT sports director in Albuquerque again in 1971. He left the Duke City in 1972 to work with Harry Caray
, broadcasting the games of the Chicago White Sox
over WMAQ. Throughout all of these moves, Osborn's family maintained its home in Albuquerque. Osborn and his wife were active in Albuquerque community affairs. For example, Gene Osborn was the chairman of the New Mexico campaign for cystic fibrosis research in 1971.
In 1974, Osborn became the sports director of TV station KMBA in Kansas City
, Missouri
, where he covered the NHL Kansas City Scouts
as well as handling telecasts of the Kansas City Royals
in 1975. During his career, Osborn also did broadcasts of the Detroit Red Wings
NHL team.
Osborn died of kidney failure on November 27, 1975 at age 53 in Kansas City.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
broadcaster in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, known primarily as a color commentator for several major league baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
teams.
He also had a substantial career in radio and television sports in Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, which he considered his adopted hometown.
Osborn, the son of Elizabeth (née Collins) and James Osborn, was born and raised in Davenport
Davenport
-Places:In Australia*Electoral district of Davenport, in South AustraliaIn Canada*Davenport, Toronto, a neighbourhood and former village in Toronto*Davenport , a federal electoral district*Davenport...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, where he played baseball and other sports. He attended St. Ambrose University, then known as St. Ambrose College. Osborn was considered a top draft prospect for the St Louis Cardinals. But his playing days were cut short when he suffered a knee injury. Osborn began his broadcast career in 1942 at station WQUA in Moline, Illinois.
In 1953, Osborn arrived in Albuquerque where he soon became the sports director of radio station KABQ
KABQ (AM)
KABQ is a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, owned by Clear Channel. The station features a news and talk format that started in August 2004....
(AM). He did play-by-play broadcast for the Albuquerque Dukes of the West Texas-New Mexico League (and later the Western League). He was also the broadcaster for University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
football and basketball. In 1954, Osborn was elected president of the Albuquerque Pressbox Association. Also in the mid-fifties, Osborn became sports director at Albuquerque television station KOAT-TV
KOAT-TV
KOAT-TV, channel 7, is an ABC network affiliated television station serving Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its transmitter is located on Sandia Crest, northeast of Albuquerque. Syndicated programming on KOAT includes: Entertainment Tonight, Ellen, The Dr...
, channel 7, an ABC affiliate. Later, the Dukes broadcasts were switched to KGGM
KGGM
KGGM is a radio station broadcasting a southern gospel music format. Licensed to Delhi, Louisiana, USA, the station is currently owned by Kenneth W. Diebel.-History:...
, 610 AM, and Osborn went there.
From 1959 to 1964, Osborn broadcast The Game of the Day on the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
and also did University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
sports broadcasts.
In 1965, Osborn was hired as a radio announcer for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, working with legendary announcer Ernie Harwell
Ernie Harwell
William Earnest "Ernie" Harwell was an American sportscaster, known for his long career calling play-by-play of Major League Baseball games. For 55 years, 42 of them with the Detroit Tigers, Harwell called the action on radio and/or television...
. Osborn was fired after the 1966 season and replaced by Ray Lane
Ray Lane
Ray Lane is a sports broadcasting figure in Detroit, Michigan. During the late 1940s, Ray played baseball and basketball for the Stags of Mackenzie High School...
. Osborn then returned to Albuquerque where Doubleday Broadcasting, the then-new owners of radio station KDEF 1150 AM, hired him as sports director. Once again, Gene Osborn would be the voice of UNM Lobo sports. He also resumed duties as sports director at KOAT television.
Osborn then worked with Bob Prince
Bob Prince
Robert Ferris Prince was an American radio and television sportscaster and commentator best known for his 28-year stint as the voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball club, with whom he earned the nickname “The Gunner” and became a cultural icon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Prince was...
and Nellie King
Nellie King
Nelson Joseph "Nellie" King was an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and later a member of the Pirates' radio announcing team with Bob Prince.-Baseball career:...
on the KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
broadcasts of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
during the 1970 season. He became KOAT sports director in Albuquerque again in 1971. He left the Duke City in 1972 to work with Harry Caray
Harry Caray
Harry Caray, born Harry Christopher Carabina, was an American baseball broadcaster on radio and television. He covered four Major League Baseball teams, beginning with a long tenure calling the games of the St...
, broadcasting the games of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
over WMAQ. Throughout all of these moves, Osborn's family maintained its home in Albuquerque. Osborn and his wife were active in Albuquerque community affairs. For example, Gene Osborn was the chairman of the New Mexico campaign for cystic fibrosis research in 1971.
In 1974, Osborn became the sports director of TV station KMBA in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, where he covered the NHL Kansas City Scouts
Kansas City Scouts
The Kansas City Scouts was a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1974–76. In 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver, Colorado and became the Colorado Rockies...
as well as handling telecasts of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in 1975. During his career, Osborn also did broadcasts of the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
NHL team.
Osborn died of kidney failure on November 27, 1975 at age 53 in Kansas City.