Dick Stockton facts for kids

Dick Stockton (born November 22, 1942) is a famous American sportscaster who has now retired. He was known for his exciting play-by-play commentary in many sports. Dick Stockton worked for over 50 years, calling games for major TV networks like CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and Turner Sports. He started his career in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Boston. He even called big events like the 1975 World Series and the NBA Finals.

Who is Dick Stockton?

Early Life and First Jobs

Dick Stockton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His birth name is Richard Edward Stokvis. He went to Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York. After high school, he studied political science at Syracuse University. While in college, he was the sports director at the WAER radio station. He was later honored for his work there in 2016.

Stockton began his career in 1965 at local radio and TV stations in Philadelphia. By 1967, he became the sports director at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. In 1971, he moved to Boston to work for WBZ-TV and WBZ radio. He started calling Boston Celtics basketball games in 1974. The next year, he became the main announcer for Boston Red Sox baseball games.

Calling the 1975 World Series

One of Stockton's most famous calls happened during the 1975 World Series. He was part of the broadcast team for NBC Sports. He called Carlton Fisk's amazing game-winning home run in Game 6.

Stockton famously said:

There it goes! A long drive. . . . if it stays fair. . . . home run!

He then waited until Fisk was in the dugout before adding: "We will have a seventh game in this 1975 World Series."

Dick Stockton's Broadcasting Career

Time at CBS Sports

Dick Stockton started working for CBS Sports in the late 1960s. He joined CBS full-time in 1978. Until 1994, he covered many different sports for the network. These included the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, and NCAA Basketball.

Stockton was the main play-by-play announcer for the NBA on CBS from 1981 to 1990. He called nine NBA Finals during this time. Some of these were the exciting finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. He worked with famous basketball legends like Bill Russell and Tom Heinsohn.

One memorable moment was in 1989. Stockton called the game where Michael Jordan made "The Shot". This was a buzzer-beater that won the game for the Chicago Bulls.

Sellers has Jordan. Jordan with 2 seconds to go, puts it up and scores! At the buzzer! Michael Jordan has won it for Chicago!

CBS lost the NBA broadcasting rights after the 1990 season. Stockton gave a heartfelt goodbye message during the last game. In 2001, he was honored for his basketball broadcasting. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Stockton also called Major League Baseball for CBS from 1990 to 1992. He worked with Jim Kaat and called the American League Championship Series. He also hosted the Pan American Games in 1979. He covered swimming, diving, and other sports events around the world. He even called skiing and speed skating at the Winter Olympics.

Working for Fox Sports

In 1994, Stockton moved to the new Fox Sports network. He continued to call NFL games until he retired in 2021. He was often the second-team announcer for NFL games. He worked with former football stars like Matt Millen and Troy Aikman.

Stockton also called MLB games for Fox from 1997 to 2013. He worked with analysts like Eric Karros and Tim McCarver. He also called some college basketball games for FS1.

Time at Turner Sports

From 1995 to 2015, Stockton called NBA games for TNT. He was a familiar voice for many basketball fans.

From 2007 to 2013, he also called MLB postseason games on TBS. He worked with Ron Darling and Bob Brenly on these broadcasts.

Other Broadcasting Roles

Stockton also had other broadcasting jobs. He called local TV games for the Oakland Athletics from 1993 to 1995. He also did part-time local TV work for the San Antonio Spurs. Stockton called the Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XLII for international audiences. He also called Miami Dolphins preseason games.

In 2017, Stockton started his own podcast called Stockton!. He interviewed many famous athletes on his show. On March 25, 2021, after a long and successful career, Dick Stockton announced his retirement from broadcasting.

Personal Life

Dick Stockton is married to Jamie Drinkwater. They got married in 2014. They live in Boca Raton, Florida and Carefree, Arizona. Stockton was previously married to sportscaster Lesley Visser.

Career Timeline

• 1974–1975: Boston Celtics TV play-by-play (WBZ-TV)
• 1975–1976: New York Knicks TV play-by-play (WOR-TV)
• 1975–1978: Boston Red Sox TV play-by-play (WSBK-TV)
• 1976–1977: NFL on NBC play-by-play
• 1978–1993: NFL on CBS play-by-play
• 1981–1990: NBA on CBS lead play-by-play
• 1983–1995: College Basketball on CBS Sports
• 1990–1992: Major League Baseball on CBS #2 play-by-play
• 1992–1994: Olympics on CBS announcer
• 1993–1995: Oakland Athletics TV play-by-play (KRON-TV)
• 1994–2020: Fox NFL play-by-play
• 1995–2015: NBA on TNT play-by-play
• 1995: NHL on Fox play-by-play
• 1997–2013: Fox Major League Baseball play-by-play
• 2004–2007: San Antonio Spurs TV play-by-play (part-time)
• 2007–2015: Major League Baseball on TBS Division Series play-by-play
• 2010–2020: Miami Dolphins Preseason TV play-by-play
• 2010: BCS on Fox Orange Bowl play-by-play
• 2013–2014: College Football on Fox fill-in play-by-play
• 2013–2016: Fox College Hoops play-by-play