Boston Sports Radio Pioneer Eddie Andelman Has Passed Away at 89

The man described as “The Godfather of Sports Radio,” Eddie Andelman, has passed away, his family announced today.

Andelman was 89 years old.

“From humble roots in Dorchester, he went onto great success in business and broadcasting,” his family posted on Facebook. “Some call him the godfather of sports radio. He certainly changed and elevated the sports radio game.”

The Birth of 'Sports Huddle' and Modern Sports Radio

One could argue that Andelman played a large part in the creation of the entire format. He launched Sports Huddle in 1969 with co-hosts Mark Witkin and Jim McCarthy, which according to a 1973 Time magazine article came about because a radio executive overheard them debating sports in a Boston bar and offered them the chance to do the same thing on the air.

At the time, Andelman, a graduate of Boston University with an MBA from Northeastern University, was working in real estate.

Sports Huddle aired on Sunday nights for decades on different stations, at a time when “sports talk radio” was not a form of 24/7 programming. However, their “every man” approach to sports discussions set the blueprint for the genre.

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Andelman’s trademark “Hi, how are ya?” greeting to the “callahs” of his programs kept him connected to his audience. He was not some polished broadcasting school graduate. He was one of us.

During his 42-year broadcasting career Andelman spent time helping to build WEEI into a sports talk powerhouse, before “switching teams” to potential rival 1510 The Zone in the early 2000s (a rivalry that didn’t pan out). He was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011.

A Lasting Legacy of Community and Charity Work

Andelman was the longtime host of the Hot Dog Safari, an annual event that raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. His family said he “worked tirelessly” on the event “because he loved to give people a great time and he was thankful that his own family was healthy.”

Andelman received numerous awards for his community work, including being named Man of the Year for both the Joey Fund and the Jimmy Fund.

The Phantom Gourmet Connection and Family Business

His sons Dave, Mike and Dan also followed in his footsteps in the broadcasting business. They are the team behind the popular Phantom Gourmet television show

“There would be no Phantom Gourmet without Eddie Andelman,” they wrote. “His passion and pride in the work, down to earth and sometimes irreverent style, and the reverence for small business owners and hard working people only enriched our lives as well as many others as well.”

Andelman is survived by his sons, his grandchildren, and his wife of 57 years, Judith, whom he lovingly referred to on-air as “The Fabulous Judi.”

“We learned all that we do from our dad. He was one of a kind. He helped thousands and entertained millions,” his children wrote. “Eddie Andelman lived a truly incredible life.”

A Personal Reflection on a Boston Broadcasting Icon

I first crossed paths with Eddie when I was just a young kid, maybe 11 or 12 years old. My grandfather used to book the featured guests for the “Sports Night” event at his temple each year, and one time Andelman was the featured speaker.

I didn’t know about Sports Huddle – The Lost 45s and Dr. Demento on WZLX were my Sunday-night radio shows – but I thought the idea of talking about sports on the radio for a living was pretty cool. I was even more impressed when I found out Andelman also got to spend a great deal of time talking about food as well.

He served as a bit of a role model for me, as I too got an opportunity to talk sports on the radio with no broadcasting experience, leading me to a media career, and eventually became a food critic for the local paper. Just like Eddie Andelman, I also became a huge fan of the Kowloon in Saugus.

Here’s hoping Eddie and I can someday share a pu pu platter in the Great Chinese Restaurant in the Sky, arguing about sports but agreeing that the food in heaven is almost as good as at the Kowloon.