Greenwald's journey in sports broadcasting began at Syracuse University, where he graduated in 1957. During his college years, he covered Syracuse Orange football, a period marked by the careers of legendary athletes like Jim Brown and Floyd Little. His early professional days saw him calling games for the Syracuse Nationals of the NBA, setting the stage for a lifelong career in sports commentary.
Hank initially joined the San Francisco Giants' broadcast team in 1979, quickly becoming a beloved figure for his insightful and engaging commentary. However, after a disagreement with station management, he left the Giants in 1986 and spent the next two years with the New York Yankees. His time with the Yankees was challenging; he later criticized owner George Steinbrenner's management style. In 1989, Greenwald returned to the Giants, marking his comeback by covering the team's journey to the World Series.
Greenwald's career was not without its trials; disagreements with management occasionally overshadowed his broadcasting achievements. Yet, his love for the game and his dedication to broadcasting never waned. He retired in 1996 after calling an impressive 2,798 consecutive games. His retirement was partly due to clashes with Giants' management, yet his impact on sports broadcasting remained undiminished.
Greenwald's voice became iconic, especially noted for his emotional call of the Giants winning the 1989 National League Championship. He also spent time covering games for the Oakland Athletics and worked as a basketball play-by-play announcer for the Golden State Warriors and the University of San Francisco Dons.
Hank Greenwald passed away on October 22, 2018, in San Francisco, California. His legacy as a broadcaster is cherished by many, from die-hard Giants fans to baseball enthusiasts across the nation. His son, Doug Greenwald, continues his legacy in sports broadcasting, marking the Greenwald name as a continuing presence in baseball narration.
🎙️