Richie Ashburn was one of the classiest, most beloved broadcasters ever heard on Philadelphia radio, voice of the Phillies for 35 years until his death in 1997. Though born in Tilden, Nebraska in 1927, Rich Ashburn had Philadelphia flowing in his veins. Drafted by the Phillies as a catcher in 1945, he was moved to center field because of his great natural speed. He broke into the majors in 1948 and was named Rookie Of The Year by The Sporting News. And it was all uphill from there.

He won two National League batting titles, finished second in the League three times, batted over .300 nine times, tying a Major League record. AShburn appeared in six All-Star games and one World Series, with the 1950 "Whiz Kids".

He still holds the Phillies record for most consecutive games played, at 731; most career singles, 1,871; and on defense led National League outfielders in putouts.

"Whitey" joined the Phillies broadcast team in 1963. In 1998, he was honored for 40 distinguished years in baseball, and in 1991 was named Pennsylvania Sportscaster Of The Year. Without a doubt his most treasured moment came inJuly 1995 when he was finally and deservedly inducted into the National Baseball Hall Of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Richie Ashburn died on September 8, 1997, and will always be remembered as true-blue through-and-through Philadelphia sports broadcasting legend.