WFAN icon Suzyn Waldman was introduced as one of the latest inductees of the Radio Hall of Fame by Mike Francesa on Tuesday night, acknowledging the Yankees radio analyst as one of the pioneers of the industry, paving the way for women to break into sports talk radio.
“I never expected to be a pioneer,” Suzyn said in her induction speech.
“I never wanted to be a pioneer. I just wanted to talk about sports on the radio…it’s the most personal and beautiful of communications. You can’t fake on the radio. You’re either real or you’re not, and listeners know within five minutes.”
Suzyn, the first voice ever heard on WFAN, thanked those who helped her along the way at the station, and gave a special thank you to the Yankees owner who helped her become the first woman full-time color commentator for a pro sports team.
“The person who would love this the most, and he isn’t here, is George Steinbrenner,” Suzyn said. “Back in 1988, George said to me, ‘Waldman, one of these days I’m going to make a statement about women in sports, you’re it, and I hope you can take it!’ my support system was always in the Bronx. George was very tough on me, taught me how to fight, made sure I got better, and he would have loved this.”
Suzyn may not have wanted to be a pioneer, but she certainly was and is, and now, it’s something the Hall of Famer has come to embrace.
“Radio is the most personal of all media,” Suzyn said. “The connection between the voice coming out of the speaker and the listener, they use their imagination to learn, to be entertained, and to dream. I know it’s changing…but whatever form it takes, there is always going to be some little kid with a speaker under the pillow or hanging off the mirror in the car, and now, that little kid can be a little girl.”
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