Fred White obit

Fred White dies at 76

 

He was not on the list.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Longtime Kansas City Royals broadcaster Fred White died Wednesday of complications from cancer. He was 76.

The Royals were informed of White's passing by his son, Joe. White died in hospice one day after the team announced his retirement after 40 years working for the organization.

White was the sports anchor for Topeka's WIBW-TV and broadcast Kansas State athletics before joining the Royals in 1973. He worked with Denny Matthews as their primary broadcaster through the 2008 season, when the team was well into its lengthy decline.

Over those 25 years, though, White helped call six division championships, an American League pennant in 1980 and the Royals' only World Series championship in 1985.

White also broadcast basketball games for ESPN and other networks. Upon leaving the broadcast booth, he headed up the Royals Radio Network and supervised the Royals Alumni, assisting with clinics, appearances and the team's fantasy camp.

White was born and raised in Homer, Illinois, and graduated from Eastern Illinois University. On May 14, 2013, The Kansas City Royals announced White was retiring after 40 years with the organization. He died the following day, on May 15, 2013, at the age of 76, due to complications from melanoma.