At this late date there should be no need to explain why Texas Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel is a local treasure; he's as much a part of summer 'round these parts as 85-degree lows. I just went back and listened to his final-out call from October 12 -- it still breaks me up. Name me a better local sports-broadcasting one-two punch than Nadel, who's been calling games for the ball club for 33 seasons (!), and his former partner in the booth, the late, great Mark Holtz. Only Ralph and Razor come close.
Reason I mention it: John Blake, Rangers spokesman, sends word that the National Baseball Hall of Fame today opened up online voting, asking fans to help whittle down the list of 75 contenders ("two representing every current big league team and 15 at-large selections") to the 10 finalists who'll end up on the ballot for the Ford C. Frick Award, so named for the legendary broadcaster and "driving force" behind the creation of the Hall of Fame. Notes Blake, "fans will select three of the 10 names on the ballot for the Frick Award."
Nadel, of course, made the finalists' list last year, only to lose out to Expos-Marlins caller Dave Van Horne. So. Go to the Hall of Fame's Facebook page, where you can vote once a day till September 30. Those guys, more than most, deserve to say hello to that particular win column.