The sports world is mourning the death of longtime MSG Network broadcaster Al Trautwig, as his colleagues in the business have revealed how Trautwig affected them and so many others throughout his career.
His former MSG Network teammate, Alan Hahn, was the first to reveal the news and expressed his grief.
“[Trautwig] was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher,” Hahn wrote. “He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career.”
Trautwig is known best in the metropolitan area for his work with MSG Network, ABC, NBC and USA Network.
He also covered the Olympics and appeared in Disney’s “Cool Runnings.”
“When Al’s voice was the first you heard to start a pregame, no one made a local broadcast feel bigger,” ESPN commentator and Jets play-by-play announcer Bob Wischusen wrote on X.
“He was the legendary host of [MSG Network],” said NBC New York’s lead sports anchor Bruce Beck. “He only needed a clipboard with a few notes and – would just go. When it came to extemporaneous speaking – he was among the best ever.”
ESPN radio host and YES Network Yankees play-by-play voice Michael Kay learned the ropes from Trautwig when he began his career.
“I have been blessed to work with some amazing broadcasters but there was no one better than Al Trautwig. He was meant to be on the air,” Kay wrote. “Al patiently walked a young writer through growing pains on TV. His lessons were invaluable. He was part of the soundtrack of New York sports all those years on MSG. I will miss him. Gone too soon.”
Mets radio play-by-player Howie Rose shared a similar experience.
“During my years broadcasting Islander games, whenever we brought in a new host/sideline reporter, if I was asked for advice I would simply say, ‘Just watch Al Trautwig,’” Rose said. “The best to ever do it.”
“Al Trautwig’s influence, lessons & advice were unmatched,” said Fox 5 New York’s lead sports anchor Tina Cervasio, a former MSG Networks reporter.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani may have summed up Trautwig’s iconic legacy the best.
“A New York Sports Titan. When I think of those magical Garden nights in the 90s, I think of Al Trautwig, first and foremost,” Helwani said.
