Sandy’s Blog

Cleveland) – Longtime Indians pitcher and broadcaster Herb Score has passed away after a lengthy illness. The team says Score died Tuesday morning at his home in Rocky River.

The Cleveland Indians and Team President Paul Dolan issued the following statement, “Today is a sad day for the Cleveland Indians family and for Cleveland Indians fans everywhere. We have lost one of the greatest men in the history of our franchise. Generations of Indians fans owe their love of the Tribe to Herb Score, who was a powerful pitcher and legendary broadcaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and the Family.
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The 75-year-old retired from the broadcast booth more than a decade ago.

Visitation is as follows: Friday, November 14, 2008 from 1-3pm and 6-9pm at Busch Funeral Home, 21369 Center Ridge Road in Fairview Park, Ohio.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial for Score will be celebrated at St. Christopher’s Church, 20141 Detroit Road, Rocky River Road on Saturday, November 15 at 10:30am.

Interment will be in Lakewood Park Cemetery located at 22025 Detroit Road, Rocky River, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone of Hope, 5905 Brecksville Road, Independence, Ohio, 44131; or Cleveland Indians Charities, c/o Cleveland Indians Community Outreach Department, 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Herbert Jude Score was born June 7, 1933, in Rosedale, New York.

Score came up as a rookie in 1955 with the Indians. A left-hander, Score struck out 245 batters in his rookie year, a rookie record that stood until 1984, when it was topped by Dwight Gooden.

On May 7, 1957, against the New York Yankees, Score was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of Gil McDougald, breaking numerous bones in his face and leaving him quite bloodied. McDougald reportedly vowed to retire if Score was blinded as a result, but Score actually eventually recovered his 20/20 vision, though he missed the rest of the season.

Score returned late in the 1958 season, but fearful of being hit by another batted ball, his pitching motion was altered, and he was never quite the same pitcher.

Score pitched the full 1959 season, going 9-11 with a 4.71 ERA and 147 strikeouts. Score was traded to the Chicago White Sox after the season, and pitched parts of the subsequent three seasons before retiring.

Score finished with a career record of 55-46 and a 3.36 ERA and 837 strikeouts over 8 seasons, in 858 1/3 innings pitched.

After retiring, Score served as an announcer on the Indians television broadcast from 1964-1967, and joined the radio broadcast, serving from 1968-1997. Score was revered by fans for his announcing style, including a low voice and a low-key style, as well as a habit of occasionally mispronouncing the names of players on opposing teams.

Score’s final Major League Baseball game as play-by-play announcer was Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.

Score was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Courtesty of wtam. com

I remember growing up listening to Herb call Indians games, especially the years where we lost every game and never had a chance. He was the only voice of the Indians that I knew my whole childhood.  Tom Hamilton is a great announcer and is doing  a great job, but Herb Score will never be replaced. Today is a sad day in Cleveland Indians History.