Jack Horner (journalist) facts for kids

Gordon John Horner (born in 1912, passed away on January 10, 2005) was a famous sports journalist. He worked in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. He was part of the very first modern television shows on KSTP-TV channel 5. He even appeared on the first fully electronic TV broadcast in Minnesota on December 7, 1947. (Before this, some shows were on older "mechanical TV" stations in the 1930s). When KSTP-TV started regular shows in April 1948, he was the announcer for a baseball game. It was between the Minneapolis Millers and a team from Louisville. Jack Horner also announced the first live TV game of the amazing Harlem Globetrotters. He even did one of the last interviews with the legendary baseball player, Babe Ruth.

Jack Horner's Early Career

Horner started his career in radio. He began at KGFK in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1935. He worked at several radio stations in Iowa, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Later, he moved to Saint Paul to work at KSTP in 1944.

Becoming "Mr. Sports"

After working at KSTP for ten years, he moved to KEYD channel 9 (which is now KMSP). This was when that station was just starting up. By the 1960s, he was working for WTCN (which is now KARE). Throughout his career, people knew him as "Mr. Sports." He always added fun and interesting comments to all his broadcasts.

Broadcasting Milestones

Jack Horner, known as "Mr. Sports," achieved many "firsts" in the history of broadcasting. He set a high standard for others who followed him.

Firsts in Television

On December 7, 1947, he hosted the very first live television program in Minnesota for KSTP TV. He also announced the first baseball game ever shown on TV in Minnesota. This included the first "no-hit, no-run" game ever televised. He also broadcast the first TV appearance of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Working with Different Stations

After KSTP, he joined KEYD TV Minneapolis/Saint Paul (now KMSP TV) in 1954. Then, he moved to WTCN TV Minneapolis/Saint Paul (now KARE TV). He also did sports shows for Twin Cities radio stations like WPBC, KJJO, and KFAN.

Later Life and Legacy

Horner mostly retired from broadcasting in the late 1960s. He then spent time working for the local Chamber of Commerce and the March of Dimes. He fully retired from that work in 1977. However, he still did announcing and voice-over work sometimes.

Helping the Community

Horner really enjoyed providing services for people who are blind. For over 20 years, he volunteered his time. He broadcast a weekly one-hour sports show for Minnesota State Services for the Blind.

Honors and Recognition

Local media groups have honored Jack Horner for his amazing career. Most recently, the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting honored him in 2001.