Sportscaster Dick Enberg Found Dead at Age 82

Family worried when he didn't show up on flight to Boston
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 22, 2017 6:22 AM CST

Dick Enberg, a Hall of Fame broadcaster known for his excited calls of "Oh my!" during a 60-year career, died Thursday. He was 82. Enberg's daughter, Nicole Enberg Vaz, confirmed the death to the AP. She said the family became concerned when her father didn't arrive Thursday on his flight to Boston, and he was found dead at his home in La Jolla, a San Diego neighborhood, with his bags packed. His daughter said the family believes Enberg died of a heart attack but was awaiting official word. "It's very, very, very shocking," said Vaz. "He'd been busy with two podcasts and was full of energy." Enberg's wife, Barbara, was already in Boston and was expecting his arrival. The family "is grateful for the kind thoughts and prayers of all of Dick's countless fans and dear friends," per a statement by Enberg's attorney.

Enberg got his big break with UCLA basketball and went on to call Super Bowls, Olympics, Final Fours, and Angels and Padres baseball games as well as Rams football games. He retired from his TV job with the Padres in October 2016, capping a six-decade career punctuated with countless calls of "Touch 'em all!" for home runs. Enberg won 13 Sports Emmy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and UCLA named its Media Center in Pauley Pavilion after Enberg this year. "Kindest, most proactive possible treatment of newcomers in this business, for the length of his career," Keith Olbermann said of Enberg on Twitter. "What a terrible loss."

(More obituary stories.)

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