Buddy Blattner

Infobox MLB player
name = Buddy Blatner


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team = Philadelphia Phillies
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position = Second Base
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birthdate = birth date and age|1920|2|9
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debutdate = April 18
debutyear = 1946
debutteam = New York Giants
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Robert Garnett "Buddy" Blattner (born February 8, 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri) is a former table tennis and baseball player and radio and television sportscaster.

Playing career

Blattner played table tennis in his youth, winning the world men's doubles championship in 1936. He started his baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals, making his big-league debut in the 1942 season. Following a stint in the U.S. Navy, Blattner played for the New York Giants (1946-48) and Philadelphia Phillies (1949), playing primarily at second base.

Broadcasting career

Blattner turned to broadcasting after his retirement as a player, teaming with Dizzy Dean on St. Louis Browns radio as well as national Mutual Radio broadcasts and the televised baseball "Game of the Week" on ABC (1953-54) and CBS (1955-59).

Blattner was replaced on CBS by Pee Wee Reese following a dispute with Dean. He continued to broadcast baseball for the Cardinals (1960), Los Angeles/California Angels (1962-68), and Kansas City Royals (1969-75). He also called games for the St. Louis Hawks of the National Basketball Association in the '50s.

Charity work

In 1962, Blattner founded the "Buddy Fund", a charitable organization that supplies athletic equipment to disabled and underprivileged children in the St. Louis area.

Awards and honors

Blattner was inducted into the U.S. Table Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 1979, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.

External links

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