History of Dick Stockton in Timeline

Dick Stockton is a retired American sportscaster with a career spanning over five decades. He started in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh before gaining prominence in Boston, calling games for the Celtics and Red Sox. He transitioned to national broadcasting, covering events like the 1975 World Series for NBC and NBA Finals for CBS. Over his extensive career, he worked for major networks including CBS Sports, Fox Sports, and Turner Sports, solidifying his legacy in sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 22, 1942: Richard Edward Stokvis Born

On November 22, 1942, Richard Edward Stokvis, known professionally as Dick Stockton, was born. He later became a prominent sportscaster.

Others born on this day/year

1960: Graduated from Forest Hills High School

In 1960, Dick Stockton graduated from Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York, marking the end of his secondary education.

1964: Received Degree from Syracuse University

In 1964, Dick Stockton earned his degree in political science from Syracuse University, where he also served as sports director at WAER.

1965: Began Sportscasting Career

In 1965, Dick Stockton officially started his sportscasting career at local radio and television stations located in Philadelphia.

1967: Became Sports Director at KDKA-TV

In 1967, Dick Stockton became the sports director at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, a significant step in his early career.

1971: Moved to WBZ-TV and WBZ Radio in Boston

In 1971, Dick Stockton transitioned to WBZ-TV and WBZ radio in Boston, expanding his broadcasting career.

January 23, 1972: Filled in for Jim Gordon for NHL game

On January 23, 1972, Dick Stockton filled in for Jim Gordon to broadcast the Buffalo-Boston NHL game with Dan Kelly.

1975: Called Game 6 of the 1975 World Series

In 1975, Dick Stockton called Game 6 of the World Series. Stockton paused until Fisk reached the dugout before proclaiming, "We will have a seventh game in this 1975 World Series."

1975: Called 1975 World Series for NBC

In 1975, Dick Stockton called the World Series for NBC, marking a significant milestone in his national broadcasting career.

1975: Broadcast Crew for NBC Sports' Coverage of the World Series

In 1975, Dick Stockton was part of the broadcast crew for NBC Sports' coverage of the World Series, calling Carlton Fisk's famous home run.

1978: Joined CBS Full-Time

In 1978, following a stint with NBC, Dick Stockton joined CBS Sports full-time and covered a variety of sports.

1979: Host of the Pan American Games

In 1979, Dick Stockton hosted the Pan American Games in San Juan, broadening his broadcasting portfolio.

1981: Lead Play-by-Play Man for NBA on CBS

From 1981 to 1990, Dick Stockton was the lead play-by-play announcer for NBA coverage on CBS.

1982: Called 1982 NBA Finals

From 1982 to 1983, Dick Stockton partnered with Bill Russell to call the NBA Finals.

1983: Called 1983 NBA Finals

From 1982 to 1983, Dick Stockton partnered with Bill Russell to call the NBA Finals.

1984: Called 1984 NBA Finals

In 1984, Dick Stockton called the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics with Tom Heinsohn.

1985: Called 1985 NBA Finals

In 1985, Dick Stockton called the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics with Tom Heinsohn.

1985: Host at Villanova vs Georgetown upset

In 1985, Dick Stockton served as the host for the famous upset of Villanova over Georgetown.

1987: Called 1987 NBA Finals

In 1987, Dick Stockton called the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics with Tom Heinsohn.

1988: Called 1988 NBA Finals

In 1988, Dick Stockton called the NBA Finals with Billy Cunningham.

May 7, 1989: Called Bulls-Cavaliers Playoff Game

On May 7, 1989, Dick Stockton, along with Hubie Brown, called the decisive Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference First Round playoff series between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, a game highlighted by Michael Jordan's buzzer-beater.

1989: CBS Lost Broadcasting Rights

In 1989, CBS would lose their broadcasting rights to the NBA to NBC following the 1989-90 season.

1989: Called 1989 NBA Finals

In 1989, Dick Stockton called the NBA Finals with Hubie Brown.

1990: Final sign off with CBS

At the end of CBS' coverage of Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals, Stockton signed off with a message.

1990: End of Lead Play-by-Play NBA on CBS

From 1981 to 1990, Dick Stockton was the lead play-by-play announcer for NBA coverage on CBS. 1990 marked the end of this role.

1990: Called Major League Baseball for CBS

From 1990 to 1992, Dick Stockton called Major League Baseball for CBS, working alongside Jim Kaat and serving as the #2 play-by-play man.

1990: Called 1990 NBA Finals

In 1990, Dick Stockton called the NBA Finals with Hubie Brown.

1991: Called the 1991 ALCS for CBS

In 1991, Dick Stockton called the final out of Game 5 of the ALCS, saying "And the Minnesota Twins have gone from the cellar to the penthouse in the American League."

1992: Called Major League Baseball for CBS

From 1990 to 1992, Dick Stockton called Major League Baseball for CBS, working alongside Jim Kaat and serving as the #2 play-by-play man.

1992: Covered Skiing at Winter Olympics

In 1992, Dick Stockton covered skiing at the Winter Olympics in France for CBS.

1993: Called Local TV Broadcasts of Oakland Athletics

From 1993 to 1995, Dick Stockton also called local TV broadcasts of the Oakland Athletics.

1993: Replaced by Greg Gumbel

In 1993, Dick Stockton was replaced by Greg Gumbel at CBS.

1994: Called Speed Skating at Winter Olympics

In 1994, Dick Stockton called the speed skating events at the Winter Olympics in Norway, including Dan Jansen's gold medal victory.

1994: End of CBS Coverage

In 1994, Dick Stockton ended his coverage of a variety of sports for CBS.

1994: Left CBS for Fox Sports

In 1994, Dick Stockton left CBS to join the newly formed Fox Sports, marking a significant change in his broadcasting career.

1995: Called Local TV Broadcasts of Oakland Athletics

From 1993 to 1995, Dick Stockton also called local TV broadcasts of the Oakland Athletics.

1995: Called NBA Telecasts for Turner's TNT Channel

From 1995 to 2015, Dick Stockton called NBA telecasts for Turner's TNT channel, expanding his basketball broadcasting experience.

1997: Called MLB for Fox/FX

From 1997 through 2013, Dick Stockton called Major League Baseball telecasts for the Fox broadcast network/FX.

2000: Commentary for NFL Fever 2000

In 2000, Dick Stockton provided play-by-play commentary for "NFL Fever 2000" alongside Matt Millen.

2001: Inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2001, Dick Stockton was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a broadcaster, a pinnacle of recognition in his field.

2004: Began Part-Time Work for San Antonio Spurs

In 2004, Dick Stockton began part-time local television work for the San Antonio Spurs, which lasted for three seasons.

2006: Fox's Second-Team Announcer

Until 2006, Dick Stockton was Fox's second-team announcer for NFL games, working alongside Matt Millen, Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa.

2007: Ended Part-Time Work for San Antonio Spurs

From 2004, Dick Stockton did part-time local television work for the San Antonio Spurs for three seasons until 2007.

2007: Called Postseason MLB Games on TBS

From 2007 to 2013, Dick Stockton called postseason Major League Baseball games on TBS, including the NLDS between the Diamondbacks and Cubs with Ron Darling.

2008: Called MLB Games on TBS

In 2008, Dick Stockton called the AL Central tiebreaker game between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox with Ron Darling and Harold Reynolds, followed by the NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers with Darling and Tony Gwynn on TBS.

2009: Called MLB Games on TBS

In 2009, Dick Stockton teamed with Bob Brenly to call the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals for TBS.

October 4, 2010: Substituted on Dolphins' Radio Call

On October 4, 2010, Dick Stockton substituted for Jimmy Cefalo as play-by-play on the Miami Dolphins' radio call of the team's Monday Night Football game against the New England Patriots.

2010: Split play-by-play on TBS

In 2010, Dick Stockton split play-by-play duties during the regular season on TBS with Ernie Johnson Jr. and Brian Anderson.

2010: Divorced from Lesley Visser

In 2010, Dick Stockton's previous marriage to sportscaster Lesley Visser ended in divorce.

2011: Called Game 5 NLDS on TBS

In 2011, Dick Stockton partnered with Ron Darling and John Smoltz to call Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals when his regular partner Brenly was away.

2013: Criticism for Baseball Telecasts

During the 2013 NLDS (St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh), Dick Stockton faced criticism for misidentifying players and lacking chemistry with analyst Bob Brenly, affecting TBS' baseball telecasts.

2013: Called MLB for Fox/FX

From 1997 through 2013, Dick Stockton called Major League Baseball telecasts for the Fox broadcast network/FX.

2013: Called Postseason MLB Games on TBS

From 2007 to 2013, Dick Stockton called postseason Major League Baseball games on TBS, including the NLDS between the Diamondbacks and Cubs with Ron Darling.

2013: Called College Basketball Games on FS1

From 2013 to 2016, Dick Stockton called college basketball games on FS1 for three seasons.

July 31, 2014: Married Jamie Drinkwater

On July 31, 2014, Dick Stockton married Jamie Drinkwater at her family's home in New York.

2014: Teamed with Bob Brenly until 2014

In 2009, Dick Stockton teamed with Bob Brenly to call the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals for TBS, and the two worked the NLDS every year until 2014.

2015: Called NBA Telecasts for Turner's TNT Channel

From 1995 to 2015, Dick Stockton called NBA telecasts for Turner's TNT channel, expanding his basketball broadcasting experience.

October 12, 2016: Inducted into the WAER Hall of Fame

On October 12, 2016, Dick Stockton was inducted into the WAER Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions during his time as sports director at Syracuse University's radio station.