While sitting out at Arlington Park yesterday, the name Phil Georgeff suddenly came to mind from all the sports shows I watched as a kid and, whenever they had something from Arlington Park, it was always Phil Georgeff doing the call. Mike remembered the name immediately as well, having also grown up in the Chicagoland area.
A quick look at Wikipedia revealed this information. His surname is pronounced George-F. He did the calling at AP from 1959 to 1992, clearly a labor of love. He is probably best-known for his stretch call, "Here they come, spinning out of the turn!!!"
He wrote a book about his experiences "And They're Off" and is a member of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame.
Thanks for the Calls, Mr. Georgeff. You're in My Memory. --Cooter
Showing posts with label Arlington Park Racetrack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arlington Park Racetrack. Show all posts
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
A Day at Arlington Park
Today, I got together at Arlington Park Race Track with some buddies I used to teach with at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois. We taught for close to twenty years and are all retired now. Bob, however, now teaches at a parochial school. Just can't get enough, I guess.
Watching the horses run at this beautiful facility is a great way to pass an afternoon. Unfortunately, today was overcast with a steady light rain, but even so, we had a grand time, reminiscing and betting.
A SHORT HISTORY OF ARLINGTON PARK
It is located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on US Highway 14, known as Northwest Highway in these parts. I lived for 13 years in two neighboring communities, Rolling Meadows and Palatine.
Racing in Chicago has always been a big deal. At one time, there were six racetracks in the city.
Arlington Park opened in 1927 after being founded by Californian Harry D. "Curly" Brown. Attendance for the inaugural day was 20,000. It was the first track to install a public address system and had Clem McCarthy as race caller. Phil Georgeff called races for many years.
In 1936, the first photo finish camera was installed and 1940 the first electric starting gate.
In 1981, Arlington Park became the site of the first horse race with a million dollar purse, the Arlington Million.
Disaster struck in 1985 when a fast-moving fire completely gutted the grandstand and clubhouse, but it was open again for business four years later.
Thanks for the information, Wikipedia.
They're Off... --Cooter
Watching the horses run at this beautiful facility is a great way to pass an afternoon. Unfortunately, today was overcast with a steady light rain, but even so, we had a grand time, reminiscing and betting.
A SHORT HISTORY OF ARLINGTON PARK
It is located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on US Highway 14, known as Northwest Highway in these parts. I lived for 13 years in two neighboring communities, Rolling Meadows and Palatine.
Racing in Chicago has always been a big deal. At one time, there were six racetracks in the city.
Arlington Park opened in 1927 after being founded by Californian Harry D. "Curly" Brown. Attendance for the inaugural day was 20,000. It was the first track to install a public address system and had Clem McCarthy as race caller. Phil Georgeff called races for many years.
In 1936, the first photo finish camera was installed and 1940 the first electric starting gate.
In 1981, Arlington Park became the site of the first horse race with a million dollar purse, the Arlington Million.
Disaster struck in 1985 when a fast-moving fire completely gutted the grandstand and clubhouse, but it was open again for business four years later.
Thanks for the information, Wikipedia.
They're Off... --Cooter
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