Eddie Andelman, the longtime Boston broadcaster widely credited with helping pioneer sports talk radio, has died at the age of 89.
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Andelman's family announced his death in a statement, remembering him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose career in broadcasting and business spanned more than four decades.
A member of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Andelman spent 42 years on Boston radio and became one of the city's most recognizable sports media personalities.
In 1969, he co-created Sports Huddle on WEEI, an interactive call-in program that became one of the nation's earliest sports talk shows. The Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame has credited the program with helping shape the modern sports radio format.
Andelman was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011 in recognition of his contributions to broadcasting.
Beyond radio, he founded Boston's annual Hot Dog Safari in 1989. The event later became associated with Phantom Gourmet and raised millions of dollars for cystic fibrosis research through the Joey Fund.
In a statement, Andelman's sons said their father took great pride in using the event to support charitable causes while bringing people together.
They also credited him with inspiring their own careers, saying his passion for broadcasting, appreciation for small businesses and commitment to helping others left a lasting impact on their family and the Boston community.
Andelman is survived by his wife of 57 years, their three sons and his grandchildren.
