He was the “other” voice of summer.
Andy Musser, who spent much of his long broadcasting career toiling in the shadow of Harry Kalas, died Monday. He was 74.
Every night, Musser’s distinctive baritone would deliver an arcane stat, something only Andy and his attention to detail could deliver.
Musser’s biggest fault likely was that he was not Harry Kalas, the beloved Phils’ broadcaster who teamed with Rich Ashburn to become the voice synonymous with Phillies baseball.
For 26 years, Musser was the other guy in the booth.
But this secondary voice of summer earned a special place in my heart on a raw, rainy October night.
And he did it with just three words.
“He buried it.”
The Phillies, who had done nothing in my lifetime aside from breaking my heart in 1964, appeared once again ready to stick in the dagger.
It was Oct. 4, 1980. I was sitting in a restaurant in Ridley Park with my girlfriend (not yet wife), and a friend of hers.
If my memory serves correct, the Phils had blown a lead and the game was now creeping into extra innings. A loss would put a serious chill on any Eastern Division title hopes.
That’s when Mike Schmidt stepped up to the plate, with Andy at the mike.
It was one of those “no doubt about it” swings. Schmidt nailed it. So did Musser.
“He buried it,” he intoned into the mic. Maybe it’s because the stoic Musser showed so much emotion that it has stayed with me all those years.
All I know is that a few weeks later, I was among the throng celebrating the Phillies world championship. None of that would have happened without that Schmidt home run, and that classic call by Musser.
Andy Musser broadcast Phillies games for 26 years. He also worked for the Eagles, Sixers and Villanova basketball.
But I will always remember that miserable wet night in October.
It was the night that a guy who played the backup role most of his career got his night on the stage.
Andy, you buried it!
If heaven has baseball team, and surely they do, I don’t doubt that Kalas, Ashburn and Musser will be behind the mike.
We bury bodies. But not the memories.
Thanks, Andy.
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