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Albert Kennedy Rowswell attached himself to his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates at a young age and grew up as one of the club’s biggest fans. After he achieved many a young boy’s dream by becoming the Pirates’ first radio broadcaster in 1936, Rowswell never lost that youthful exuberance and love for his favorite team.
Rowswell, affectionately nicknamed “Rosey” by his many fans, was a former secretary at Pittsburgh’s Third Presbyterian Church. He began his sports broadcast career by interviewing future Hall of Famers Max Carey, Bill McKechnie and Honus Wagner for a Red Cross fundraiser in 1922. The Pirates were one of the last teams to adopt radio, and gave Rowswell his shot at doing road games from ticker tape in 1936. By 1938, he was live on the scene at home games, a post he would joyfully serve in until his death.
Rowswell was the ultimate local favorite, and just like his listeners he was unabashed about his love for the Bucs. In 1925, well before he was hired to be their radio voice, the World Champion Pirates gave Roswell a gold watch and honored him as their number one fan. His passion only amplified later behind the mic, as Commissioner Kennesaw Mountain Landis once told Rowswell, “Why, they tell me there are people living in Pittsburgh who don’t even know the names of the other seven teams in the National League.”
During Rowswell’s 18 years on the mic, the Pirates never approached a pennant, but you could hardly tell from his broadcasts. Players like Kiner, Arky Vaughn and Lloyd and Paul Waner were heroes through his voice; whether they ultimately won or lost didn’t seem to matter.
Fantastic piece that Rosey and his family would send out to friends and ballplayers. Picture of Rosey and his family on the cover of the card and a poem on the inside (Rosey released several books of poetry). In nice shape as this one was never sent. Measures approximately 7.5" x 5" in size.
NOTE – The Pirates would beat the Washington Senators 4 games to 3 to win their second World Series.
NOT FOR SALE
Item: 13003
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