Thursday, 07 May 2026

By Saam

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Commentators 2026
Sport(s): Baseball, Football & Basketball
Statistics & Accolades: Ford C. Frick Award
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
Calling football games for Penn, Villanova, and Temple, By Saam caught the eyes of both Philadelphia-based baseball clubs, the Athletics and Phillies. In 1938, he became the full-time voice of the A’s, and a year later did the same for the Phillies, and since they both were in the same park, it was not as hard.

Known as “the man of a zillion words,” Saam was the first true sports voice of Philadelphia, but in 1950, his home station was going to call road games, and he could not do both. His loyalty to Connie Mack had him choose the Athletics, but when they left for Kansas City in 1955, he returned to the Phillies fold, where he stayed until he retired in 1975.

Saam also called games for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Warriors, and was notably on hand for Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game.

We are proud to nominate By Saam for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.