Mel Allen
USABiography of Mel Allen
Mel Allen, an American sports commentator, was born on February 14, 1913, in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite initially pursuing a career in law, Allen's true calling was in the world of sports. From a young age, he had a deep love for baseball, and after finding his feet, he decided to try his hand at being a sports commentator. Following several successful matches, he was invited to work in radio.
After completing his education at the University of Alabama, where he became a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, Allen embarked on a career as a lawyer. However, fate had other plans for him. His passion for baseball led him to explore opportunities as a sports commentator. He caught the attention of CBS, who offered him a position as a radio host with a weekly salary of $45. This was a promising start for Allen, as it allowed him to showcase his talents and wit.
For a time, Allen worked as a substitute for renowned commentators such as Hasing and Bob Trout. In 1938, he commentated his first significant baseball match, the World Series. In 1939, Allen became the lead commentator for the New York Yankees, a position he held for a long time. He was present at every game of this famous team, becoming an integral part of their legacy.
In 1943, Allen left his position as a commentator as he was called to serve in the military during World War II. After the war, he returned to his craft and was once again invited to be the chief sports commentator for the Yankees.
Mel Allen became one of the brightest baseball commentators, beloved by many for his vibrant, engaging, and unpredictable style. In his later years, he hosted various television shows, including "Jackpot Bowling" in 1959 and the radio program "Monitor" in 1960.
In the 1960s, the New York Yankees experienced renewed success, but surprisingly, Allen was not invited to commentate their matches. Rumors circulated that he was excluded due to requests from the team's sponsors or that he had developed alcoholism. Despite these rumors, Allen always held a positive regard for the Yankees. Until his last days, fans of the team referred to him as the "Voice of the Yankees."
