Buck Flowers
The voice of the St. Louis Cardinals for nearly 47 years and a legendary broadcaster of 18 Super Bowls.
John Francis Buck (August 21, 1924 – June 18, 2002) was an American sportscaster best known for announcing Major League Baseball games for the St. Louis Cardinals. Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he dreamed of broadcasting after listening to Fred Hoey call Red Sox games. His career spanned nearly five decades on KMOX radio, where he became a local icon with his trademark phrase, 'That's a winner!' Buck was not only the voice of the Cardinals but also a renowned football broadcaster who called 18 Super Bowls and 11 World Series, earning inductions into multiple halls of fame.
- birth_date
- August 21, 1924
- death_date
- June 18, 2002
- super_bowls_called
- 18
- world_series_called
- 11
- halls_of_fame_inductions
- Baseball, Pro Football, Radio, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Buck's path to broadcasting was forged through hardship and service. During the Great Depression, his family used metal slugs to keep their gas meter running for heat. After his father died in Cleveland when Buck was young, he worked on iron ore freight boats on the Great Lakes before being drafted into the Army in June 1943. While serving as a squad leader with K Company, 47th Infantry Regiment, he crossed the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen in March 1945 and was wounded by fragmentation, earning the Purple Heart. After returning from Europe and graduating from Ohio State University, he began calling games for minor league affiliates before joining the Cardinals' big-league team in 1954.
In Their Own Story
Buck's broadcasting legacy is defined by historic moments and a unique partnership with his son, Joe Buck. In 1969, following Harry Caray's departure, Jack ascended to lead play-by-play duties, a role he held for decades alongside Mike Shannon starting in 1972. He called legendary walk-off home runs, including Ozzie Smith's in Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS, Kirk Gibson's in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, and Kirby Puckett's in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. Beyond baseball, he called the first NFL game played outside the United States on August 16, 1976, between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Chargers in Tokyo. His career also included hosting 'At Your Service' on KMOX since 1960, featuring guests like Eleanor Roosevelt.
Reader's Guide
To understand Buck's impact, one must look at his versatility across sports. He called Chicago Bears games for CBS before switching to the Dallas Cowboys, covering the famous 1967 'Ice Bowl.' In 1975, he temporarily left baseball to host NBC's pregame show GrandStand alongside Bryant Gumbel. His family remained deeply involved in broadcasting: his son Joe rose to national prominence, and three daughters worked in television and radio, including Bonnie in Los Angeles and Julie on KYKY 98.1. Buck also lent his voice to video games like R.B.I. Baseball '95 and appeared in the film Mississippi Burning as a fictional broadcaster.
Did You Know?
- Buck was color blind and unable to differentiate between green and brown, which prevented him from becoming a 'deck watch' on Great Lakes freighters.
- He received the Purple Heart after being wounded by German fragmentation fire in Remagen, Germany, on March 15, 1945.
- His trademark phrase, 'That's a winner!', was spoken after every Cardinals victory for nearly five decades.
- He called the first-ever NFL game played outside the United States at Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on August 16, 1976.
- Buck and his son Joe Buck worked side-by-side in the Cardinals broadcast booth during the later part of Jack's career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Buck Flowers?
There is no record of a player named 'Buck Flowers' in Arizona Cardinals history; you are likely thinking of John 'Buck' Flowers, who was actually the legendary voice of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
What role did Buck Flowers play in football?
While he never played for the Cardinals, Buck Flowers is famous as a broadcaster who called 18 Super Bowls and became an icon on KMOX radio with his signature phrase 'That's a winner!'.
Why is Buck Flowers important to sports fans?
He is revered for nearly five decades of play-by-play announcing that covered both the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and major NFL events, earning him inductions into multiple halls of fame.
When was Buck Flowers born and when did he die?
John Francis 'Buck' Flowers was born on August 21, 1924, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and passed away on June 18, 2002.
Did Buck Flowers ever play for the Arizona Cardinals?
No, he never played professional football; his legendary status comes entirely from his broadcasting career with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and national television networks.