With no Mets on the horizon be the next Hall of Famer as a player, let’s take a second to ponder that Gary Cohen is likely a no doubt future winner of the Ford Frick Award and entry into Cooperstown.
Think about it….Gary is going to cruise right past thirty seasons with the Mets, and there is zero sign of him slowing down at all. Assume he easily makes 40+ and beyond.
Voters are asked to base their selections on longevity; continuity with a club; honors, including national assignments such as the World Series and All-Star Games; and popularity with fans. To be considered, an active or retired broadcaster must have a minimum of 10 years of continuous major league broadcast service with a ball club, network, or a combination of the two.
Jon Miller is in. Dick Enberg. Tim McCarver. Bob Murphy. Lindsey Nelson. Many more. And don’t overthink that “national assignments” thing as guys like Jerry Coleman and Harry Kalas are in and I don’t recall them on any national assignments since I started paying attention at 7. (Although, look forward to Joe Buck Day.)
Now the Frick Award page goes out of its way to mention that it’s not the same as being “inducted”, but I think it’s just a matter of time until everyone gets a new t-shirts and hops the bus to honor Gary Cohen in Cooperstown.
Gary used to call the Game of the Week and some playoffs on CBS Radio back in the early/mid 90s. He also called Olympic Hockey 3 times for CBS Radio and has called NCAA Basketball/March Madness for CBS/WestwoodOne/DialGlobal/WestwoodOne on the radio for about 20 years.
He’s too young and inexperienced in my book to win the Frick Award next year (when his group is up), but i think within 10 years, he should have it.