OT: Official Sports Media Thread VIII - Milbury out as NBC hockey analyst after 14 years

Status
Not open for further replies.

Fenway

HF Bookie and Bruins Historian
Sponsor
Sep 26, 2007
68,589
98,268
Cambridge, MA
Fred called BC Football? I never knew that

Also did color on Patriots games

upload_2019-9-24_15-9-18.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: pie19 and Runner77

Fenway

HF Bookie and Bruins Historian
Sponsor
Sep 26, 2007
68,589
98,268
Cambridge, MA
He probably put the gold on the statehouse dome too for all we know. The guy was everywhere!

Hard to believe it has been 10 years since Fred passed - and yes he was everywhere

He spoke to the Globe a few days before he died

Recent interview with Cusick | Boston.com

There is even a picture of him in the 1948 World Series program at Braves Field under media.

Fred Cusick was born in the Brighton section of Boston. A graduate of (and former hockey player at) Northeastern University in Boston, Cusick began broadcasting sports at WCOP in Boston in 1941 while a senior at Northeastern, crediting his hockey background as the entree to the position. He subsequently went into the United States Navy in World War II, rising to lieutenant in command of a subchaser. After the war, he worked for several radio stations, hosting the popular Irish Hour on WVOM in Brookline, which focused on sports, especially hockey. After a brief time in Washington during the Korean War and upon the retirement of Bruins' radio broadcaster Frank Ryan, Cusick – paired with ex-Bruin Jack Crawford – became the radio play-by-play broadcaster of the Bruins from 1952 to 1963, during which time he was also Sports Director for WEEI radio in Boston.

Cusick was the announcer for the first US network NHL broadcast (CBS-TV in January 1957); he would spend four years in all working the NHL Game of the Week for CBS.

Fred Cusick was the color commentator on WEEI for the very first game of the fledgling American Football League, a Friday night contest between the Denver Broncos and the Boston Patriots on September 9, 1960, at Nickerson Field on the campus of Boston University. He served as the color man for Patriots radio between 1960 and 1964. He also had a notable interview with golfing legend Francis Ouimet in 1963, on the fiftieth anniversary of Ouimet's 1913 U.S. Open victory. It is the only video interview of Ouimet in existence.

In the early 1960s, Cusick was responsible for getting Boston Bruins' games on local television on a regular basis. In 1963, Bruins CEO Weston Adams asked Fred and producer/director Neal P. Cortel to arrange the first-ever live telecast of a Bruins game from the old Boston Garden. The experimental telecast was wildly popular, and later during the 1963/1964 season, Fred hosted the Sunday morning rebroadcasts of edited CBC Television tapes of Saturday night Bruins games in Montreal and Toronto; flown back overnight with the team, seen first at 9:00 AM on WMUR-TV in Manchester, New Hampshire and WTEV-TV (now WLNE-TV) in the Providence/New Bedford market the signal of which covered most of the Boston area), then at 1:00 PM on the old WHDH-TV (now WCVB-TV) in Boston, WWLP-TV in Springfield, and WRLP-TV in Northampton. Fred's telecasts were enormously popular, and within a few years, games would be shown live on WKBG and later began a long run at WSBK-TV.

From 1969 through 1971, Cusick was the radio voice of the Boston Bruins on WBZ-AM 1030 (Bob Wilson replaced him on WBZ-AM starting in 1972) when they reached the pinnacle of their popularity, winning their first Stanley Cup in 29 years in 1970, and setting a regular-season record for points and goals scored in 1970–71. His broadcasting partners were former NHL players Johnny Peirson in 1969–70 and Cal Gardner in 1970–71.

In 1971, Cusick returned to television, succeeding Don Earle, who had been hired by WSBK when they began covering the Boston Bruins, as play-by-play man for Bruins' games on WSBK with Peirson as his color man; when NESN was formed in 1984, he did double duty for 11 years, calling games for both channels. In his last years before he retired from broadcasting the Bruins, Cusick did games only for WSBK.
 

Chief Nine

Registered User
May 31, 2015
12,006
15,755
Hard to believe it has been 10 years since Fred passed - and yes he was everywhere

He spoke to the Globe a few days before he died

Recent interview with Cusick | Boston.com

There is even a picture of him in the 1948 World Series program at Braves Field under media.

Fred Cusick was born in the Brighton section of Boston. A graduate of (and former hockey player at) Northeastern University in Boston, Cusick began broadcasting sports at WCOP in Boston in 1941 while a senior at Northeastern, crediting his hockey background as the entree to the position. He subsequently went into the United States Navy in World War II, rising to lieutenant in command of a subchaser. After the war, he worked for several radio stations, hosting the popular Irish Hour on WVOM in Brookline, which focused on sports, especially hockey. After a brief time in Washington during the Korean War and upon the retirement of Bruins' radio broadcaster Frank Ryan, Cusick – paired with ex-Bruin Jack Crawford – became the radio play-by-play broadcaster of the Bruins from 1952 to 1963, during which time he was also Sports Director for WEEI radio in Boston.

Cusick was the announcer for the first US network NHL broadcast (CBS-TV in January 1957); he would spend four years in all working the NHL Game of the Week for CBS.

Fred Cusick was the color commentator on WEEI for the very first game of the fledgling American Football League, a Friday night contest between the Denver Broncos and the Boston Patriots on September 9, 1960, at Nickerson Field on the campus of Boston University. He served as the color man for Patriots radio between 1960 and 1964. He also had a notable interview with golfing legend Francis Ouimet in 1963, on the fiftieth anniversary of Ouimet's 1913 U.S. Open victory. It is the only video interview of Ouimet in existence.

In the early 1960s, Cusick was responsible for getting Boston Bruins' games on local television on a regular basis. In 1963, Bruins CEO Weston Adams asked Fred and producer/director Neal P. Cortel to arrange the first-ever live telecast of a Bruins game from the old Boston Garden. The experimental telecast was wildly popular, and later during the 1963/1964 season, Fred hosted the Sunday morning rebroadcasts of edited CBC Television tapes of Saturday night Bruins games in Montreal and Toronto; flown back overnight with the team, seen first at 9:00 AM on WMUR-TV in Manchester, New Hampshire and WTEV-TV (now WLNE-TV) in the Providence/New Bedford market the signal of which covered most of the Boston area), then at 1:00 PM on the old WHDH-TV (now WCVB-TV) in Boston, WWLP-TV in Springfield, and WRLP-TV in Northampton. Fred's telecasts were enormously popular, and within a few years, games would be shown live on WKBG and later began a long run at WSBK-TV.

From 1969 through 1971, Cusick was the radio voice of the Boston Bruins on WBZ-AM 1030 (Bob Wilson replaced him on WBZ-AM starting in 1972) when they reached the pinnacle of their popularity, winning their first Stanley Cup in 29 years in 1970, and setting a regular-season record for points and goals scored in 1970–71. His broadcasting partners were former NHL players Johnny Peirson in 1969–70 and Cal Gardner in 1970–71.

In 1971, Cusick returned to television, succeeding Don Earle, who had been hired by WSBK when they began covering the Boston Bruins, as play-by-play man for Bruins' games on WSBK with Peirson as his color man; when NESN was formed in 1984, he did double duty for 11 years, calling games for both channels. In his last years before he retired from broadcasting the Bruins, Cusick did games only for WSBK.

What an amazing life! Thanks for posting that Fen. Fantastic stuff to read
 

Fenway

HF Bookie and Bruins Historian
Sponsor
Sep 26, 2007
68,589
98,268
Cambridge, MA
What an amazing life! Thanks for posting that Fen. Fantastic stuff to read

Fred even did a bowling show

upload_2019-9-24_19-38-43.png


Fred became the sports and public affairs director at the old Channel 56 and they televised the Bruins in the 1966-67 season but the owners of 56 at the time decided to drop the Bruins for the Celtics and Channel 38 decided to give the Bruins a shot. We all know how THAT worked out.

upload_2019-9-24_20-24-45.png


upload_2019-9-24_19-46-41.png
 

mikelvl

Registered User
Aug 6, 2009
5,899
2,063
Newton, MA
Slightly off topic but media related, I discovered recently that I was blocked on Twitter by Bob Stauffer, the Edmonton broadcaster who is part of the Oilers broadcast team and a real 'company' man if you know what I mean. He was tweeting out line combinations in July for the upcoming Oilers season. I merely suggested (in what I thought was a good natured fashion) that he find a hobby or two if he was tweeting line combinations for a non playoff team in the middle of summer.

So there is another sensitive reporter/tv personality in addition to Haggs. There is also Conor McKenna in Montreal who I think blocks anyone with 'Bruins' in their Twitter handle.

Anybody else get blocked by these hypersensitive types for very little reason?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chief Nine

LSCII

Cup driven
Mar 1, 2002
50,474
21,967
Central MA
Slightly off topic but media related, I discovered recently that I was blocked on Twitter by Bob Stauffer, the Edmonton broadcaster who is part of the Oilers broadcast team and a real 'company' man if you know what I mean. He was tweeting out line combinations in July for the upcoming Oilers season. I merely suggested (in what I thought was a good natured fashion) that he find a hobby or two if he was tweeting line combinations for a non playoff team in the middle of summer.

So there is another sensitive reporter/tv personality in addition to Haggs. There is also Conor McKenna in Montreal who I think blocks anyone with 'Bruins' in their Twitter handle.

Anybody else get blocked by these hypersensitive types for very little reason?

First world problems, man...:laugh:
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikelvl

Donnie Shulzhoffer

Rocket Surgery
Sep 9, 2008
15,598
11,003
Foxboro, MA
Slightly off topic but media related, I discovered recently that I was blocked on Twitter by Bob Stauffer, the Edmonton broadcaster who is part of the Oilers broadcast team and a real 'company' man if you know what I mean. He was tweeting out line combinations in July for the upcoming Oilers season. I merely suggested (in what I thought was a good natured fashion) that he find a hobby or two if he was tweeting line combinations for a non playoff team in the middle of summer.

So there is another sensitive reporter/tv personality in addition to Haggs. There is also Conor McKenna in Montreal who I think blocks anyone with 'Bruins' in their Twitter handle.

Anybody else get blocked by these hypersensitive types for very little reason?
Haggs and KPD blocked me for what I would call innocuous comments
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: LSCII

talkinaway

Registered User
Mar 19, 2014
6,973
4,126
On the couch
Slightly off topic but media related, I discovered recently that I was blocked on Twitter by Bob Stauffer, the Edmonton broadcaster who is part of the Oilers broadcast team and a real 'company' man if you know what I mean. He was tweeting out line combinations in July for the upcoming Oilers season. I merely suggested (in what I thought was a good natured fashion) that he find a hobby or two if he was tweeting line combinations for a non playoff team in the middle of summer.

So there is another sensitive reporter/tv personality in addition to Haggs. There is also Conor McKenna in Montreal who I think blocks anyone with 'Bruins' in their Twitter handle.

Anybody else get blocked by these hypersensitive types for very little reason?

Got blocked by Murph 4-5 years ago for something 100% innocuous. Wasn’t being a jerk - and I generally know when I’m being a jerk.

Surprisingly, didn’t get blocked by Haggerty years ago when he tweeted out something that made it sound like Patrice had the flu. It was the day Berry’s son was born - Haggs said “Bergeron not at practice. Many Bruins have the flu.” It was common knowledge that Zac Bergeron was an impending free agent, so I called him out on it.

I blocked Haggs anyway much later - don’t need that blather on my TL.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Alicat

Terrier

Registered User
Sep 30, 2003
10,432
6,197
Newton, MA
Visit site
Fred even did a bowling show

View attachment 257109

Fred became the sports and public affairs director at the old Channel 56 and they televised the Bruins in the 1966-67 season but the owners of 56 at the time decided to drop the Bruins for the Celtics and Channel 38 decided to give the Bruins a shot. We all know how THAT worked out.

View attachment 257125

View attachment 257119


I remember when the Saturday candlepin show on channel 5, hosted by Don Gillis, drew HUGE ratings.


Given the mention of Fred Cusick, where is Johnny Peirson living these days? He and Fred on ch. 38 were a big part of my formative days as a Bruins fan. Along with the hockey beat, Johnny was also a successful furniture salesman.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BMC

Chief Nine

Registered User
May 31, 2015
12,006
15,755
I remember when the Saturday candlepin show on channel 5, hosted by Don Gillis, drew HUGE ratings.


Given the mention of Fred Cusick, where is Johnny Peirson living these days? He and Fred on ch. 38 were a big part of my formative days as a Bruins fan. Along with the hockey beat, Johnny was also a successful furniture salesman.

I honestly thought he had passed away along time ago! Wikipedia says he's 94 years old as of July 21! Always loved his analysis, he was great with Fred
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saxon Eric

mikelvl

Registered User
Aug 6, 2009
5,899
2,063
Newton, MA
Got blocked by Murph 4-5 years ago for something 100% innocuous. Wasn’t being a jerk - and I generally know when I’m being a jerk.

Surprisingly, didn’t get blocked by Haggerty years ago when he tweeted out something that made it sound like Patrice had the flu. It was the day Berry’s son was born - Haggs said “Bergeron not at practice. Many Bruins have the flu.” It was common knowledge that Zac Bergeron was an impending free agent, so I called him out on it.

I blocked Haggs anyway much later - don’t need that blather on my TL.

Haggs blocked me after I insinuated to someone else on twitter that he watched road games from his couch.
 

McGarnagle

Yes.
Aug 5, 2017
28,423
37,652
I don't really twitter, but Peter Abraham is the most thin-skinned sportswriter I've ever seen on there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DKH

DKH

The Bergeron of HF
Feb 27, 2002
73,961
51,460
Do any of you like and/or think Jim
Rome is talented or entertaining?

Everyone I know thinks he sucks, annoying, talent less, wants to punch him out or choke him out

He’s rolling in it and I am not seeing it and neither does anyone else I asked
 

Donnie Shulzhoffer

Rocket Surgery
Sep 9, 2008
15,598
11,003
Foxboro, MA
Do any of you like and/or think Jim
Rome is talented or entertaining?

Everyone I know thinks he sucks, annoying, talent less, wants to punch him out or choke him out

He’s rolling in it and I am not seeing it and neither does anyone else I asked
Came to the conclusion of your second paragraph 10 years ago
 

chizzler

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Jan 11, 2006
13,206
6,235
Rome’s schtik is old and dated. Guy is tiny and puts in the tough act.
 

DominicT

Registered User
Sep 6, 2009
19,979
33,610
Stratford Ontario
dom.hockey
Can I move to Boston and join the Boston media club? What are the benefits? Free golf? Free all you can eat buffet? Automatic inclusion to the HHoF?

On second thought, I'd better stay here. I'd rather be loved then to join a group that puts you automatically in the hate club!! ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: HockeyMomx2
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->