In November, Jack Quinlan, a former Chicago Cubs radio play-by-play announcer whose career was tragically cut short in 1965, is among 10 nominees considered for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award. Quinlan, who died in a car accident at age 38 during spring training in Mesa, Arizona, remains a largely overlooked figure in baseball broadcasting despite his influential work in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Quinlan was the Cubs’ primary radio voice from 1955 to 1964, a period when the team struggled on the field but benefited from his energetic and vivid commentary. His broadcasts were known for their excitement, wit, and detailed descriptions that brought the action to life for listeners, even as the Cubs endured one of the longest championship droughts in sports history. His skill earned him a national spotlight when he was chosen to call the 1960 World Series on NBC Radio, which culminated in Bill Mazeroski’s iconic Game 7 walk-off home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Longtime broadcaster Bob Costas, himself a 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, is among those advocating for Quinlan’s recognition. Costas, part of the committee responsible for nominating and electing the annual Frick Award recipients, noted Quinlan’s status as one of the top baseball announcers he has encountered in his six-decade career. The 2027 ballot features nominees whose careers ended before 1994, a category that recurs every five years, providing a rare opportunity for Quinlan to be considered.
Ron Barber, a former St. Louis broadcaster and longtime admirer of Quinlan, has led efforts to secure the broadcaster’s Hall of Fame place for over two decades. Barber, who grew up listening to Quinlan on Chicago radio and worked with Costas in St. Louis, maintains a public archive dedicated to Quinlan’s work and has intensified the campaign in recent years. He described Quinlan as more than just a voice — a figure who connected deeply with fans and young listeners alike.
Quinlan’s family also remembers his impact beyond broadcasting. He grew up in Winnetka, Illinois, graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and raised his family near Skokie and Evanston. His daughter, Susie Quinlan, recalls neighborhood children joining her father on trips to Wrigley Field. She reflects on his talent with renewed appreciation after hearing archived recordings, describing how he had a remarkable ability to generate excitement and engagement during games.
Quinlan last appeared on the Frick Award ballot in 2015, when fan voting selected three broadcasters for induction, a process since discontinued. Supporters believe this nomination could represent his final opportunity for recognition. Barber emphasized the commitment behind the campaign, calling this the “last shot” for Quinlan’s enshrinement and highlighting the efforts underway to honor his legacy.
As the Hall of Fame deliberations approach, Quinlan’s inclusion on the ballot revives interest in a broadcaster whose influential yet abbreviated career continues to resonate with a dedicated group of fans and peers.