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Knicks Broadcaster Al Trautwig Dies at 68

Al Trautwig was a staple of New York Knicks broadcasts on MSG Network.
Geoff Maggliocchetti|
Dec 22, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; A view of the Knicks logo on a players jacket during the national anthem prior to the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Dec 22, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; A view of the Knicks logo on a players jacket during the national anthem prior to the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

Former New York Knicks broadcaster Al Trautwig has passed away at the age of 68.

Trautwig's passing was announced two days before his 69th birthday by MSG Networks successor Alan Hahn, who offered a heartfelt tribute in an X post.

"I'm sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that," Hahn said. "He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career. Rest in peace, Al Trautwig."

Trautwig was a staple of MSG Network, serving as a studio host for the network's pregame/postgame coverage of the Knicks, New York Rangers, and New York Yankees. Trautwig also served as a play-by-play man for the teams on occasion and hosted various MSG programs. He originally got his start in sports at Nassau Coliseum near his hometown of Garden City, where he served as a stick boy for the New York Islanders and a ball boy for the New York Nets, then of the American Basketball Association.

His last showing on MSG came in 2019 before he took an extended leave of absence that ended with MSG not renewing his contract two years later. Per a 2024 article from Neil Best of Newsday, Trautwig had undergone cancer treatment but was teaching classes at Adelphi University on his native Long Island.

On a national level, Trautwig became well-known for calling auto racing, boxing, cycling, football, and tennis. He was also recognized for his coverage of the Olympic Games with ABC and NBC, notably calling the gymnastics events from 2000 through 2016 and appearing as himself in the 1993 comedy film "Cool Runnings," the story of the Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Winter Games.

Trautwig is survived by his wife Cathy and his son Alex.

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGGLIOCCHETTI

Geoff Magliocchetti is a veteran sportswriter who contributes to a variety of sites on the "On SI" network. In addition to the Yankees/Mets, Geoff also covers the New York Knicks, New York Liberty, and New York Giants and has previously written about the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Staten Island Yankees, and NASCAR.

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