Breaking news: The sports community is in grief, as a former Yankees dies at 68.

Al Trautwig, a prominent sports announcer in New York, passed away, and the sports community is in grief. Alan Hahn, a former colleague at MSG, revealed Trautwig’s passing on Monday. Hahn referred to Trautwig, who is 68, as a “legendary voice in sports.” Hahn added, “He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher,” to X (via Twitter). “He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career,” Hahn said.

Yankees fans are familiar with Trautwig even though he mostly called NBA and NHL games. From 1991 until 2001, Trautwig hosted the Yankees’ pre- and postgame shows when the Bombers were on MSG. Trautwig collaborated with Michael Kay on the Yankees’ MSG studio performances. A former print writer for the Daily News and New York Post, Kay credited Trautwig with having a significant impact on his move to television. Kay noted on X that “Al patiently walked a young writer through growing pains on TV.” “His teachings were priceless. For all those years on MSG, he was a part of the New York sports soundtrack.

Veteran Yankees writer Sweeny Murti released a text message discussion he and Trautwig had in 2019. Trautwig received a framed photo from Murti showing him interviewing Derek Jeter at Yankee Stadium’s press level. Trautwig said, “That makes me feel good,” throughout the conversation. Trautwig was described by Murti as a “wonderful broadcaster and so kind to aspiring ones like me.” On Reddit, Yankees supporters also posted some of their best Trautwig recollections. “When I really got into baseball in middle school, Al was one of those guys I saw all the time on MSG,” a user remarked.

“I have a recording somewhere of Al Trautwig talking about the” K “signs we were posting on the facing of the upper deck during a game,” said another.
A third person said, “Such a staple of NY sports back in the day,”