Jim West (sportscaster)

James Griffith Wetzel[1][2] (March 24, 1929 – July 31, 2024), known on-air as Jim West, was an American sportscaster who worked in Baltimore and Chicago. He was a play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, and Washington Capitals.

Biography

West was born in Pittsburgh on March 24, 1929.[2] He grew up in Baltimore, and graduated from Towson State College.[2][3] In 1962, he was hired to handle play-by-play for Baltimore Clippers games on WITH radio.[4] The following season, both the Clippers and West moved to WBAL, where West also hosted the Baltimore Orioles pre- and post-game shows.[4][5] In 1967, West received the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League.[6]

In 1970, West became the television announcer for the Chicago Black Hawks.[7] From 1971 to 1976, he also called Cubs games for the station.[8]

In 1978, the Washington Capitals chose West to call the team's games on WDCA-TV.[3] From 1983 to 1990, West co-hosted the Jones and West Morning Show with Bob Jones.[9] From 1984 to 1986, West was the play-by-play announcer for Maryland Terrapins football games.[10] His final full-time job in broadcasting was the sports anchor role for WBAL Radio's morning show. He retired in 1995 and was replaced by Pam Ward.[11]

Jim West died on July 31, 2024, at the age of 95.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ Klein, Alyson (2003-07-11). "Seniors slug it out in home run derby". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  2. ^ a b c "James "Jim" Griffith Wetzel". Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Capitals Pick West for TV". The Washington Post. August 21, 1978. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Hockey Clippers get air coverage". Baltimore Afro-American. September 17, 1963. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  5. ^ Rheinheimer, Kurt (2007). Deaver, Philip (ed.). "The Bad Case". Scoring from Second: Writers on Baseball. Bison Original: 84. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  6. ^ "James H. Ellery Memorial Award". American Hockey League Hall of Fame. AHL Hall of Fame. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Jim West". The Hockey News. October 9, 1970.
  8. ^ "Cubs Broadcasters". Cubs.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Robert 'Bob' Jones of WBAL's 'Jones and West' has passed away". WBAL. October 1, 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  10. ^ The 46th Annual Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner (PDF). The Greater Baltimore Chapter National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. March 11, 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  11. ^ Kent, Milton (1995-03-14). "WBAL's West will settle into busy 'semi-retirement'". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  12. ^ Ink, Radio (2024-07-31). "Former Baltimore Morning Host Jim West Passes Away At 95". Radio Ink. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  13. ^ Rasmussen, Frederick N. (2024-07-31). "Jim West, former WBAL radio host of 'Jones & West,' dies". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2024-09-22.