Scott Graham: A Legacy in Sports Broadcasting and Radio
From the collegiate sidelines to the roar of Major League Baseball and the high stakes of the NFL, Scott Graham has established himself as a versatile and commanding voice in American broadcasting. With a career spanning several decades, Graham has transitioned seamlessly between play-by-play announcing, studio hosting, and news anchoring, becoming a familiar presence for sports fans across the United States.
Collegiate Sports Broadcasting
Graham's journey began at the University of Pennsylvania, where he gained his first play-by-play experience as a student announcer for football and basketball on WXPN. This foundational period led to his first professional role as the sports director at WAMS in Wilmington, Delaware, from 1987 to 1989.
Throughout the early 1990s, Graham expanded his collegiate portfolio. Between 1990 and 1992, he called games for Delaware State University, followed by a three-year tenure calling games for the University of Pennsylvania. From 1992 to 1998, he became a staple of Philadelphia sports by calling the Big Five basketball games on WPHT-AM.
By 1994, Graham's reach extended nationally. He hosted a syndicated baseball call-in show and provided commentary for major college football games via the American Sports Radio Network. In 1996, he joined the Comcast Network as the primary announcer for all sporting events on the station.
Graham also brought his voice to high-profile collegiate events on a larger stage. He served as the play-by-play announcer for the 2016 NCAA Final Four and National Championship Game on TruTV, specifically for Villanova University's "Team Stream" broadcast alongside Brian Finneran. He returned to this role for Villanova's subsequent Final Four appearance two years later, this time paired with Randy Foye.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Philadelphia Phillies Era
Graham joined the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1991, initially hosting pre- and post-game shows. By 1999, he ascended to the role of play-by-play announcer, utilizing a unique broadcasting split: he called the first, second, and third innings on the radio, moved to the local telecast for the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, and returned to the radio for the final three innings.
During his time with the Phillies, Graham became known for his signature catchphrases. Following a victory, he would exclaim, "Put this one in the win column for the Fightin' Phils!" and his home run calls were characterized by the enthusiastic phrase, "That ball is gone-a!"
His tenure with the team ended in December 2006 when it was confirmed his contract would not be renewed. Following this, Graham was a finalist for a position with the San Diego Padres in 2007 and a candidate for a vacancy with the New York Mets radio broadcast, though both positions were ultimately filled by other announcers.
NFL and National Broadcasting
Graham's expertise extended to professional football, calling NFL and NFL Europe games on Fox from 1999 to 2003. He later transitioned to Westwood One, serving as a pregame host for Sunday Night Football in 2006 and becoming the studio host for nearly all NFL games (excluding Monday night) in 2009, succeeding Tommy Tighe.
In 2009, Graham took over as the voice of Showtime's Inside the NFL, a role previously held by his late Phillies partner, Harry Kalas. He made his debut on the program on September 9, 2009. His NFL experience also includes serving as the public address announcer at three different Super Bowls: Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium, Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium, and Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium.
Beyond the NFL, Graham's voice has been featured in diverse media. He provided narration for Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl from 2012 to 2020—a role previously held by Harry Kalas from 2005 to 2009—and performs voiceover work for the WWE Network program Rivalries.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Transition to News Radio
Continuing his evolution as a broadcaster, Graham shifted his focus toward news in 2023. He joined KYW, the primary news radio station in Philadelphia, where he currently serves as a radio news anchor.
Key Facts
- Phillies Tenure: Joined in 1991; became play-by-play announcer in 1999.
- NFL Presence: Voice of Inside the NFL and PA announcer for Super Bowls XLVIII, XLIX, and 50.
- Collegiate Work: Called the 2016 and 2018 NCAA Final Four games for Villanova's "Team Stream."
- Diverse Narration: Narrated the Puppy Bowl from 2012 to 2020.
- Current Role: Radio news anchor at KYW in Philadelphia.
| Period | Organization/Program | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987–1989 | WAMS (Wilmington, DE) | Sports Director |
| 1991–2006 | Philadelphia Phillies | Pre/Post-game Host & Play-by-Play |
| 1999–2003 | Fox | NFL & NFL Europe Announcer |
| 2009–Present | Inside the NFL | Program Voice |
| 2012–2020 | Animal Planet | Puppy Bowl Narrator |
| 2023–Present | KYW Newsradio | News Anchor |
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Scott Graham's signature calls with the Phillies?
Graham was known for saying "Put this one in the win column for the Fightin' Phils!" after victories and "That ball is gone-a!" during home runs.
Which Super Bowls did Scott Graham announce for?
He served as the public address system announcer for Super Bowl XLVIII, Super Bowl XLIX, and Super Bowl 50.
What is Scott Graham's current professional role?
As of 2023, Scott Graham is a radio news anchor for KYW, Philadelphia's primary news radio station.
How is Graham connected to Harry Kalas?
Graham was Kalas's broadcast partner with the Philadelphia Phillies and succeeded him as the voice of Inside the NFL and the narrator of the Puppy Bowl.
Did Scott Graham cover collegiate basketball?
Yes, he called Philadelphia's Big Five basketball games on WPHT-AM from 1992 to 1998 and provided play-by-play for Villanova University during the 2016 and 2018 NCAA Final Four.