[justiceseeker93]

That'a a photo of Scully (post # 66) as a young broadcaster at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, with the bottle of Schaefer Beer and the carton of Lucky Strike cigarettes at the ready for TV advertisements. Yes, they used to have the play-by-play announcers doing live commercials from the TV booth between innings in those days, and many of the teams' TV sponsors were beer and tobacco companies. No interference from government -- yet!

That same photo was published in Sports Illustrated about a month ago with an interesting cover story on Scully and his career.

[ml/nj]

many of the teams' TV sponsors were beer and tobacco companies

My recollection is that beer and cigarettes were the ONLY sponsors when NYC had three baseball teams.

Giants: Chesterfield and Knickerebocker

Dodgers: Lucky Strike and Schaefer

Yankees: Camels and Ballentine

As for announcers doing commercials, they do it here in spades now. "This payoff pitch is brought to you by Wendy's," or "This call to the bullpen is sponsored by you local Good Olds Guys." It really is annoying.

ML/NJ