1997 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Jimmy Dudley

1997 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Jimmy Dudley

Jimmy Dudley was the 1997 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award. Dudley, who fashioned his broadcast style after the legendary Red Barber, served as the voice of the Cleveland Indians from 1948 through 1967.

In his 20 seasons with the Indians, Dudley was known for his warm, rich description of both victory and defeat. In his first year behind the microphone, the Tribe set a major league attendance record, captured the American League pennant and won the World Series.

Dudley was born in Alexandria, Virginia and is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he majored in chemistry and played baseball, basketball and football. As a budding young broadcaster, he apprenticed for Cubs' pioneer announcer Hal Totten. After serving in the Air Force during World War II, Dudley migrated to Cleveland.

Following his tenure with the Indians, Dudley called games for the 1969 Seattle Pilots and ended his radio career in 1976 as the voice of the Pacific Coast League's Tucson Toros.