Al Trautwig, the famed sportscaster and voice of the MSG Network, is dead. He was 68.
His son Alex told the Associated Press that he died on Sunday, Feb. 23, at his home in Long Island due to complications from cancer.
While the type of cancer was not disclosed, Trautwig told Newsday in February 2024 he had undergone cancer treatment and had since been “cleared, and now it is just a matter of getting better.”
His former colleague Alan Hahn confirmed his death on X, and said he was “sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports.”
“But we lost a lot more than that. He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career,” Hahn continued.
Trautwig’s broadcasting career began in the 1980s when he handled play-by-play for USA Network’s NHL coverage and hosted SportsNite on ABC Sports.
He further proved his versatility when he worked as a pit reporter for ABC Sports’ coverage of the Indianapolis 500 in the late 1980s. He also anchored coverage of the U.S. Open, the Tour de France, the New York City Marathon, Iron Man competitions, international gymnastics events and Little League Baseball.
Trautwig also worked 16 Olympics and won various Emmys.
One of his most memorable jobs came when he began working with MSG Networks. It was there where he hosted New York Yankees’ pre- and postgame shows, Knicks basketball games, Rangers hockey games and Jets Journal.
Trautwig’s time with MSG Networks ended in 2021. He then spent time teaching at Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y. per the New York Post.
In a statement on X, MSG Networks said they were “truly saddened by the news of Al Trautwig’s passing.”
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“Al was a staple on MSG Networks’ Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable,” their statement continued. “He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al’s family and friends.”
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