Dick Enberg

Early Life and Academic Career

Richard Alan Enberg was born on January 9, 1935, in Mount Clemens, Michigan, the eldest child of Arnie and Belle Enberg. His paternal grandparents were Finnish immigrants who had changed their surname from Katajavuori to the Swedish-sounding Enberg before moving to America. The family relocated several times during his childhood, including a period in southern California, before settling on a farm near Armada, Michigan. Following his graduation from Armada High School, Enberg attended Central Michigan University, where he played college baseball and was elected student body president in his senior year. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1957 while also working at radio station WSAM in Saginaw, Michigan, a Detroit Tigers affiliate, which marked his entry into sports broadcasting.

Enberg pursued graduate studies at Indiana University Bloomington, earning both a master's and a doctorate in health sciences. While at Indiana, he began his play-by-play career in earnest, calling Indiana Hoosiers football and basketball games. In 1961, he announced his first NCAA basketball tournament final, the championship game between Cincinnati and Ohio State. From 1961 to 1965, Enberg put his academic credentials to use as an assistant professor and baseball coach at California State University, Northridge, then known as San Fernando Valley State College. This period solidified his dual passions for education and sports, though broadcasting would soon become his primary vocation.

Rise in Los Angeles Broadcasting

In the late 1960s, Enberg moved to Los Angeles to begin a full-time sportscasting career, quickly becoming a dominant voice in the region's sports scene. He worked simultaneously for KTLA television, where he anchored a nightly sports report and called UCLA Bruins basketball games, and for KMPC radio, where he provided play-by-play for Los Angeles Rams football and California Angels baseball. His tenure with the Angels was particularly memorable, as he would conclude every victory broadcast with the line, And the halo shines tonight, referencing the lit halo atop the Big A scoreboard at Anaheim Stadium. Enberg's work during this era earned him the California Sportscaster of the Year award four times.

Enberg's profile rose nationally in 1968 when he was recommended by UCLA athletic director J.D. Morgan to broadcast the Game of the Century between the Houston Cougars and the UCLA Bruins for the syndicated TVS Television Network. This game, which ended UCLA's 47-game winning streak, is often cited as a major moment that increased college basketball's popularity. Throughout the 1970s, Enberg also hosted the syndicated game show Sports Challenge and co-produced the Emmy Award-winning sports history series The Way It Was for PBS. His versatility and clear, enthusiastic delivery made him a sought-after broadcaster for major events.

NBC Sports Tenure (1975 to 1999)

Enberg joined NBC Sports in 1975, beginning a 25-year period where he served as one of the network's foremost play-by-play voices. His portfolio was remarkably diverse, encompassing the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, college football and basketball, the U.S. Open golf championship, Wimbledon and French Open tennis, heavyweight boxing, horse racing, and multiple Olympic Games. In 1979, he replaced Curt Gowdy as the lead play-by-play announcer for the NFL on NBC, a role he held for two decades. Enberg called eight Super Bowls for NBC, with his final one being Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998. He also called three Canadian Football League games in 1982 during an NFL strike, bringing his signature style to Canadian audiences.

Enberg's baseball assignments for NBC included play-by-play for league championship series and the 1982 World Series, where he served as pregame host and shared broadcasting duties. He had expected to become NBC's lead baseball voice starting in 1983, but the network instead hired Vin Scully. Enberg accepted this decision, noting Scully's stature, and received a significant pay increase. He returned to the Angels' radio booth to call 40 games in 1985 to reconnect with the sport. Enberg also became the familiar voice of the Wimbledon Championships for NBC, concluding the network's coverage each year with thoughtful essays and video montages until his final tournament in 1999.

During his NBC career from 1975 to 1999, Dick Enberg broadcast a wide variety of sports and events. He served as the lead play-by-play announcer for the NFL on NBC starting in 1979, a role in which he called eight Super Bowls. For Major League Baseball on NBC, he called playoff games in 1977, 1979, and 1981, including series involving the Montreal Expos. Enberg was also the voice of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships for NBC, concluding his coverage in 1999.

• Lead NFL play-by-play announcer (1979 to 1998), calling 8 Super Bowls.
• Play-by-play for MLB on NBC (1977 to 1982, 1994 planned).
• Voice of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships (1979, 1981 to 1999).
• Rose Bowl play-by-play announcer (1980 to 1988).
• Host for Breeders' Cup coverage (1984 to 1990).
• Play-by-play for NBA on NBC (1990 to 1999).
• Contributor to NBC's Olympic coverage for the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Games.

CBS Sports and Later Network Work

Enberg moved to CBS Sports in 2000, where he continued as a prominent play-by-play announcer for NFL games, college basketball, and US Open Tennis coverage. He also contributed to CBS's golf coverage of The Masters and PGA Championship as an interviewer and essayist. One of his most historically significant calls occurred on September 23, 2001, during a New England Patriots versus New York Jets game. Enberg was on the call when Jets linebacker Mo Lewis injured Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe, leading to the debut of backup Tom Brady and the beginning of the Patriots' two-decade dynasty. Enberg also called the dramatic 2005 AFC Divisional playoff upset where the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 21-18.

A defining feature of Enberg's CBS tenure was his poignant Enberg Essays, reflective segments that became a beloved feature during the network's coverage of the NCAA Final Four. He called his final college basketball game for CBS on March 27, 2010, an East Regional final between Kentucky and West Virginia. Enberg continued to call the US Open for CBS through 2011 and made a special return for one match during the 2014 tournament to commemorate CBS's final year covering the event. Concurrently, from 2004 to 2011, Enberg was also under lease to ESPN, where he called the French Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open tennis tournaments, completing his coverage of all four Grand Slam events.

Major League Baseball Broadcasting

Baseball was Enberg's first sporting love, and his broadcasting career in the sport was extensive. After his early work with the California Angels, he called numerous national games for NBC. In December 2009, Enberg was hired by the San Diego Padres as their primary television play-by-play announcer, signing a multi-year deal to call 110 to 120 games per season. He primarily worked alongside analyst Mark Grant. During his debut season, some Padres fans critiqued his objective style, feeling he showed too much enthusiasm for opposing plays. In response, Enberg adapted by reserving his signature home run call, Touch 'em all! exclusively for Padres home runs.

Enberg remained with the Padres through their transition to Fox Sports San Diego in 2012. He announced in September 2015 that the 2016 season would be his last. His final regular season broadcast was on October 2, 2016. In a fitting tribute during his final week, he made a guest appearance in the booth with fellow retiring legend Vin Scully of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Enberg also returned to his roots for several guest broadcasts with his boyhood team, the Detroit Tigers, in 2016 and 2017. Over his career, he broadcast nine no-hitters, including two by Tim Lincecum against the Padres in 2013 and 2014.

Signature Style and Cultural Impact

Dick Enberg's broadcasting style was characterized by a warm, enthusiastic, and erudite delivery that aimed to enhance the viewer's experience. He famously described each sports broadcast as a piece of theatre, comparing a football game to a four-act play where the sportscaster's job was to bring the characters and plot together. His two most recognizable catchphrases were Oh, my! for moments of spectacular athletic achievement and Touch 'em all! for home runs. These expressions became ingrained in American and Canadian sports culture, instantly associated with his voice. Enberg believed in the importance of objectivity and listening, striving to be a knowledgeable guide for the audience rather than a partisan cheerleader. Beyond the broadcast booth, Enberg had a significant presence in popular culture through his work on game shows and in film and television.

He hosted several television game shows, including The Perfect Match (1967), Baffle (1973 to 1974), and Three for the Money (1975). He lent his voice to animated series and films, and appeared as himself or in cameo roles in movies such as Heaven Can Wait (1978), The Naked Gun (1988), and Mr. 3000 (2004). He was also the voice of the announcer in Mattel's classic Talking Football tabletop game and appeared in a series of commercials for GTE during the 1980s and early 1990s. His narration for the Fox Sports Net series In Focus further demonstrated his versatility as a broadcaster and storyteller across different forms of media.

Retirement, Death, and Legacy

Dick Enberg retired from full-time broadcasting following the 2016 Major League Baseball season, concluding a 60-year career. The Padres honoured him with a ceremony at Petco Park on September 29, 2016, where they renamed a broadcast booth in his honour and presented him with various gifts, including a custom surfboard. Enberg expressed a desire to transition to being a fan, stating he had essentially been a fan that has a voice for his entire career. He planned to write a third book and expressed interest in teaching. On December 21, 2017, Enberg died at his home in La Jolla, California, at the age of 82 from an apparent heart attack. He was found dressed with his bags packed for a trip.

Enberg's legacy is marked by extraordinary longevity and excellence across nearly every major sport. He received 14 Emmy Awards and was named National Sportscaster of the Year nine times. In 2015, he was honoured with the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to baseball broadcasting. As of 2026, his name appears on the Commentators Ballot for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame. Colleagues like Bob Costas have placed Enberg among the most important network play-by-play voices. His poetic narration, signature phrases, and heartfelt essays have left a lasting mark on sports broadcasting, making him one of the most revered and recognizable voices in the history of the profession.

Questions about Dick Enberg

What were Dick Enberg's famous catchphrases?

Dick Enberg was renowned for two primary catchphrases that became his signature. For moments of exceptional athletic excitement, he would exclaim Oh, my! This phrase encapsulated surprise and wonder at a spectacular play. In baseball, particularly for home runs, he used the call Touch 'em all! which instructed the hitter to touch every base. During his time with the San Diego Padres, he adapted this practice by reserving the Touch 'em all! call exclusively for Padres home runs to address fan feedback about his objectivity.

How many Super Bowls did Dick Enberg broadcast?

Over his career, Dick Enberg provided play-by-play commentary for ten Super Bowls. He called eight of these while working for NBC Sports, with his final NBC broadcast being Super Bowl XXXII in January 1998. He also anchored NBC's coverage of Super Bowl XIII in 1979. Later, during his tenure with CBS Sports, he called additional NFL championship games, bringing his total to a remarkable ten Super Bowl broadcasts, confirming his status as a leading network voice for professional football.

What was Dick Enberg's connection to the San Diego Padres?

Dick Enberg served as the primary television play-by-play announcer for the San Diego Padres for seven seasons, from 2010 through 2016. Hired in December 2009, he called between 110 and 120 games per season, first on channel 4SD and later on Fox Sports San Diego. He worked primarily alongside analyst Mark Grant. The Padres honoured his retirement in September 2016 by renaming a broadcast booth at Petco Park The Dick Enberg Broadcast Booth and holding a pregame ceremony. His final Padres broadcast was on October 2, 2016.

What major awards did Dick Enberg win?

Dick Enberg received numerous accolades throughout his broadcasting career. He won 14 Emmy Awards for his television work. He was also named National Sportscaster of the Year nine times, reflecting his consistent excellence. One of his most prestigious honours came in 2015 when he received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which is bestowed annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting. His legacy continues to be recognized, as he is on the 2026 Commentators Ballot for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

How did Dick Enberg's career end?

Dick Enberg announced his retirement plans in September 2015, stating the 2016 Major League Baseball season would be his last. He called his final game for the San Diego Padres on October 2, 2016. In retirement, he expressed a desire to become a fan of the games he loved and planned to write and teach. Tragically, on December 21, 2017, Enberg died at his home in La Jolla, California, at the age of 82 from an apparent heart attack. He was found dressed with his bags packed for a trip, marking a sudden end to a legendary life in sports.

Did Dick Enberg broadcast any games involving Canadian teams?

Yes, Dick Enberg broadcast games involving Canadian teams on several occasions. Most notably, during his time with NBC Sports, he called the 1981 National League Division Series between the Montreal Expos and the Philadelphia Phillies, as well as the subsequent National League Championship Series between the Expos and the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the 1982 NFL players' strike, Enberg also called three Canadian Football League games for NBC, bringing his distinctive commentary to CFL audiences. While hosting NBC's pregame show for the 1985 National League Championship Series, he reported from Toronto for Games 1 and 7 of the American League Championship Series that same year.

Sources and further reading

• Dick Enberg (Wikipedia)
• Dick Enberg (interviews.televisionacademy.com)
• Dick Enberg says farewell after last broadcast (mlb.com)
• On the Air: An appreciation of Dick Enberg, poet laureate ... (sportsmediawatch.com)
• Dick Enberg, Legendary Sports Broadcaster, Dies at 82 (hollywoodreporter.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.