In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years in World War II—a stint which earned him the nickname "The Ol' Commander." But none other than President and Commander-in-Chief Franklin D. Roosevelt himself had him called home to announce the 1943 World Series.
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His style inspired several other broadcasters who grew up in the Midwest, such as the Cubs' Jack Brickhouse, Earl Gillespie, Bert Wilson, Gene Elston, his Chisox partner Milo Hamilton, the Phillies' Harry Kalas, the Brewers' Bob Uecker, Harry Caray of the Cardinals and later the Cubs, and the Mariners' Dave Niehaus.
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