Jack Buck

John Francis Buck (August 21, 1924 – June 18, 2002), born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was an American sportscaster, best known for his work announcing Major League Baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals. Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Early life

Jack Buck was the third of seven children by Kathleen and Earle Buck, who was a railroad accountant who commuted weekly to New Jersey. In spite of his association with the St. Louis Cardinals, Jack grew up a Boston Red Sox fan and idolized Jimmie Foxx. When Jack was 15, his father got a job in Cleveland with the Erie Railroad. A year later, Earle Buck died at the age of 49 due to high blood pressure.

Related Topics:
New Jersey - Boston Red Sox - Jimmie Foxx - Cleveland - Erie Railroad - High blood pressure

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As a teenager, Jack worked as a deck hand on the iron ore boats of the Great Lakes. He was soon drafted into the Army where he served in World War II. In 1943, Buck became a corporal and instructor with K Company, 47th Reginment, 9th Infantry Division. On March 15, 1945, Buck was wounded in his left leg and forearm by shrapnel while crossing the last (Remagen) bridge into Germany. Buck was ultimately awarded a Purple Heart after spending time in a Paris hospital.

Related Topics:
Great Lakes - Army - World War II - 1943 - 9th Infantry Division - March 15 - 1945 - Remagen - Germany - Purple Heart - Paris

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Prior to his broadcasting career, Buck attended Ohio State University where he majored in radio speech and minored in Spanish. Buck paid for college by working at an all night gas station. Buck crafted his play-by-play skills broadcasting Ohio State basketball games.

Related Topics:
Ohio State University - Spanish - Basketball

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