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The late,
legendary racing announcer Clem McCarthy thrilled racing
fans for over 20 years with his gravel-voiced, machine-gun
accounts of horse-races. McCarthy described every Kentucky
Derby from 1928 to 1950.
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Clem McCarthy
made his first radio broadcast from Churchill Downs at
Louisville, Kentucky in 1928 for station KYW in Chicago. In
1929, he joined the National Broadcasting Company, where he
remained until 1947.
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One of his best
known racing calls, the 1947 Preakness, ended with a famous
mistake. McCarthy called a horse named Jet Pilot the winner,
instead of the actual victor, Faultless, because crowds were
blocking his view, and both horses carried red racing silks.
Jet Pilot finished out of the money entirely. McCarthy, in
his raspy voice stated, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have made a
horrible mistake. Babe Ruth struck out. Today I did the
same. I am in distinguished company."
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In addition to
racing, McCarthy also covered a number of major prize
fights. One of his most famous fights was the 1938 return
bout between heavyweight champion Joe Louis and Max
Schmeling of Germany.
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McCarthy covered
the Kentucky Derby for Columbia Broadcasting System and his
last assignments were at Roosevelt Raceway.
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The American
Sportscasters Hall of Fame is proud to induct Clem McCarthy
into the Sportscasters Hall of Fame.
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