Legendary Braves broadcaster Johnson dies

[Drale]

A day meant to celebrate Bobby Cox’s induction into the Braves Hall of Fame, turned bittersweet on Friday evening when word came that legendary Braves broadcaster and fellow Braves Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson Sr. died. He was 87.

His son Ernie Johnson Jr, also a sports broadcaster for Turner Sports, confirmed the news to Braves broadcasters Joe Simpson and Chip Caray, who began spreading the word during Friday’s broadcast of the Braves-Cubs games.

The gentle-voiced and kind-hearted Johnson spent more than 35 years broadcasting Braves games, beginning in 1962 when he was hired as the color commentator for the Milwaukee Braves. He came with the team to Atlanta in 1966 and continued broadcasting full-time until 1990.

Johnson retired altogether in 1999. He was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2001.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/08/12/legendary-braves-broadcaster-johnson-dies/