Warner Fusselle, R.I.P.

Baseball broadcaster Warner Fusselle passed away of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 68.

I remember Fusselle from his days with Mel Allen on This Week in Baseball. Fusselle generally did the TWIB notes in the middle of the show but as Allen's health declined in later years would occasionally host the show himself. Fusselle's southern upbringing made his broadcasting style similar to the likes of Allen, Ernie Harwell and Red Barber.

Since 2001, Fusselle served as the play-by-play announcer for the Brooklyn Cyclones, the short season Single-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Fusselle would have begun his 12th season with the Cyclones next Monday. Prior to his time with the Cyclones, Fusselle did the play by play for the Richmond Braves and the Spartanburg Phillies and also covered basketball games for the Viriginia Squires of the ABA.

Here's an interview Fusselle conducted last year. Since Fusselle is almost synonymous with This Week in Baseball, I leave you with its closing theme "Gathering Crowds".