Jim West (sportscaster)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Griffith Wetzel[1][2] (March 24, 1929 – July 31, 2024), known on-air as Jim West, was an American sportscaster who worked in Baltimore and Chicago. He was a play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Capitals.
West was born in Pittsburgh on March 24, 1929.[2] He grew up in Baltimore, and graduated from Towson State College.[2][3] In 1962, he was hired to handle play-by-play for Baltimore Clippers games on WITH radio.[4] The following season, both the Clippers and West moved to WBAL, where West also hosted the Baltimore Orioles pre- and post-game shows.[4][5] In 1967, West received the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League.[6]
In 1970, West became the television announcer for the Chicago Black Hawks.[7] From 1971 to 1976, he also called Cubs games for the station.[8]
In 1978, the Washington Capitals chose West to call the team's games on WDCA-TV.[3] From 1983 to 1990, West co-hosted the Jones and West Morning Show with Bob Jones.[9] From 1984 to 1986, West was the play-by-play announcer for Maryland Terrapins football games.[10] His final full-time job in broadcasting was the sports anchor role for WBAL Radio's morning show. He retired in 1995 and was replaced by Pam Ward.[11]
References
- ↑ Klein, Alyson (July 11, 2003). "Seniors slug it out in home run derby". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- 1 2 3 "James "Jim" Griffith Wetzel". Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- 1 2 "Capitals Pick West for TV". The Washington Post. August 21, 1978. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- 1 2 "Hockey Clippers get air coverage". Baltimore Afro-American. September 17, 1963. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ↑ Rheinheimer, Kurt (2007). Deaver, Philip (ed.). "The Bad Case". Scoring from Second: Writers on Baseball. Bison Original: 84. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ↑ "James H. Ellery Memorial Award". American Hockey League Hall of Fame. AHL Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Jim West". The Hockey News. October 9, 1970.
- ↑ "Cubs Broadcasters". Cubs.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Robert 'Bob' Jones of WBAL's 'Jones and West' has passed away". WBAL. October 1, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ↑ The 46th Annual Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner (PDF). The Greater Baltimore Chapter National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. March 11, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ↑ Kent, Milton (March 14, 1995). "WBAL's West will settle into busy 'semi-retirement'". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ↑ Ink, Radio (July 31, 2024). "Former Baltimore Morning Host Jim West Passes Away At 95". Radio Ink. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
- ↑ Rasmussen, Frederick N. (July 31, 2024). "Jim West, former WBAL radio host of 'Jones & West,' dies". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 22, 2024.