Ford C. Frick Award Honorees

Before serving as National League president, Ford C. Frick was a broadcaster. (National Baseball Hall of Fame)

The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." The award, named after the late broadcaster, National League President, Commissioner, and Hall of Famer, has been presented annually since 1978. Frick was a driving force behind the creation of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and he helped foster the relationship between radio and the game of baseball.

The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Each award recipient (not to be confused with an inductee) is presented with a calligraphy of the award during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and is recognized in the "Scribes & Mikemen" exhibit in the Library of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Below is a complete list of the Ford C. Frick Award recipients.

Who are the only three Frick Award recipients who also played in the Major Leagues? The answer is Joe Garagiola, Bob Uecker, and Jerry Coleman.


1978 — Mel Allen, Red Barber
1979 — Bob Elson
1980 — Russ Hodges
1981 — Ernie Harwell
1982 — Vin Scully
1983 — Jack Brickhouse
1984 — Curt Gowdy
1985 — Buck Canel
1986 — Bob Prince
1987 — Jack Buck
1988 — Lindsey Nelson
1989 — Harry Caray
1990 — By Saam
1991 — Joe Garagiola
1992 — Milo Hamilton
1993 — Chuck Thompson
1994 — Bob Murphy
1995 — Bob Wolff
1996 — Herb Carneal
1997 — Jimmy Dudley
1998 — Jaime Jarrin
1999 — Arch McDonald
2000 — Marty Brennaman
2001 — Rafael "Felo" Ramνrez
2002 — Harry Kalas
2003 — Bob Uecker
2004 — Lon Simmons
2005 — Jerry Coleman
2006 — Gene Elston
2007 — Denny Matthews
2008 — Dave Niehaus

Learn about Ford C. Frick, one of the key figures in the establishment of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, National League President, baseball commissioner, a Hall of Famer, and namesake for the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence.