Charley Steiner – Los Angeles Dodgers Legend Marks 20 Years Behind the Microphone

Charley Steiner has been a familiar voice for Los Angeles Dodgers fans since joining the radio broadcast team in 2005. The veteran broadcaster works alongside Rick Monday, bringing the excitement of Dodgers baseball to listeners across Southern California. Steiner recently battled serious health challenges, including a diagnosis of multiple myeloma blood cancer and three fractures in his back. These caused him to miss significant broadcast time, including the start of the 2024 season.

Fans have noticed Steiner’s absence from the airwaves. After remaining silent for nearly a year, he revealed his cancer battle during Game 4 of the World Series, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Before joining the Dodgers, Steiner built an impressive broadcasting career that included work with ESPN and the New York Yankees, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most respected play-by-play announcers.

The broadcasting booth at Dodger Stadium hasn’t been the same without Steiner’s distinctive voice and insightful commentary. While he recovers from his back fractures, the team and fans eagerly await his return to the radio broadcasts. His temporary absence highlights just how integral his voice has become to the Dodgers experience over his nearly two decades with the organization.

Early Life and Education

Charley Steiner’s journey to becoming a renowned sports broadcaster began in his formative years before he established himself in the world of baseball. His roots in the Midwest and college experience shaped his future career path.

Beginnings in Peoria, Illinois

Steiner’s early broadcasting career took shape in Peoria, Illinois, where he found his voice on local radio. In 1969, while still a college student, he started working as a newscaster at WIRL in Peoria. This position gave him valuable on-air experience that would serve as the foundation for his later success.

The Midwest environment provided Steiner with a solid background in sports broadcasting fundamentals. Peoria, with its rich sports tradition, offered the perfect training ground for a young broadcaster looking to hone his craft.

Education at Bradley University

Steiner’s academic career at Bradley University proved instrumental in his development as a broadcaster. He graduated from Bradley in 1971, where he studied communications and developed the skills that would later define his professional style.

His time at Bradley was so influential that the university later named its School of Sports Communication after him. In recognition of his accomplishments, Steiner was inducted into Bradley University’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and is also recognized as a Bradley Centurion.

The university connection remained strong throughout his career. Steiner’s relationship with his alma mater exemplifies the lasting impact of his educational experience on his professional journey.

Career Before the Dodgers

Charley Steiner established himself as a versatile sports broadcaster long before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers’ booth. His journey through radio networks, football leagues, and national sports media created the foundation for his later success in baseball broadcasting.

New York and the RKO Radio Network

Steiner’s broadcasting career began in New York, where he cut his teeth in sports journalism. In 1969, he took his first steps into what would become a decades-long career behind the microphone. The native New Yorker quickly made a name for himself at the RKO Radio Network.

At RKO, Steiner developed his distinctive voice and reporting style that would later become familiar to millions of sports fans. His work in New York gave him crucial experience covering major sporting events and interviewing high-profile athletes.

This early period shaped Steiner’s approach to broadcasting – blending factual reporting with engaging storytelling. His time in New York radio established him as a reliable voice in sports media during the 1970s and early 1980s.

USFL and NFL Broadcasting

Steiner’s career took an important turn when he began covering football. During the 1980s, he served as a play-by-play announcer for the United States Football League (USFL), calling games for the New Jersey Generals.

The USFL experience prepared him for his next major opportunity – broadcasting for the NFL. Steiner became a familiar voice for New York Jets fans, further cementing his reputation in sports broadcasting. His detailed knowledge of the game and clear delivery made him a natural fit for football commentary.

His football broadcasting showcased his versatility beyond baseball. Despite the USFL’s relatively short existence, Steiner’s work there demonstrated his ability to adapt to different sports environments and connect with diverse audiences.

ESPN and Sports Journalism

Steiner’s national profile rose significantly when he joined ESPN in 1988. For the next 14 years, he became one of the network’s most recognizable personalities as a SportsCenter anchor.

At ESPN, Steiner’s responsibilities extended beyond the anchor desk. He served as the network’s boxing analyst, covering many championship fights. His distinctive laugh became a trademark, even appearing in “This is SportsCenter” commercials that showcased his good-natured personality.

Before joining the Dodgers, Steiner made another significant career move. He spent three years with the New York Yankees from 2002-2004, broadcasting on WCBS Radio and the YES Network. This position prepared him for his future role with the Dodgers, giving him valuable experience in MLB broadcasting.

Joining the Dodgers

Charley Steiner’s career took a significant turn when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcasting team in 2005. His arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter in Dodger broadcasting history, bringing his distinctive voice and baseball knowledge to fans throughout Southern California.

Transition to MLB Broadcasting

Steiner came to the Dodgers after a successful stint at ESPN and three years with the New York Yankees radio team. The move to Los Angeles represented a homecoming of sorts for Steiner, who had long admired the Dodgers organization.

When he signed with the Dodgers in 2005, Steiner agreed to a multi-year contract reportedly worth around $500,000 annually. The deal positioned him as a key voice for the Los Angeles Dodgers radio broadcasts.

His transition to the Dodgers came after the departure of Ross Porter, creating an opening in the broadcast booth that Steiner was uniquely qualified to fill. The Dodgers hired him primarily for radio duties, though he initially handled some television work as well.

Working Alongside Vin Scully

One of the most significant aspects of Steiner’s move to Los Angeles was the opportunity to work alongside broadcasting legend Vin Scully. Scully, who had been the voice of the Dodgers since 1950, was baseball’s most revered announcer.

Steiner often spoke of his deep respect for Scully, calling the opportunity to work with him “the honor of a lifetime.” During Scully’s later years with the team, the broadcasting duties were divided, with Scully handling home games and some road games.

This arrangement allowed Steiner to learn from the master while carving out his own identity as a Dodger broadcaster. The relationship between the two announcers was one of mutual respect, with Scully publicly praising Steiner’s professionalism and knowledge of the game.

The Play-By-Play Role with Rick Monday

As Steiner settled into his role with the Dodgers, he formed a memorable partnership with former Dodgers outfielder Rick Monday. Their chemistry in the booth quickly became a highlight for radio listeners.

The Steiner-Monday partnership has endured for nearly two decades, making them one of the most stable broadcasting duos in baseball. Their contrasting styles complement each other perfectly – Steiner’s descriptive play-by-play balancing with Monday’s analytical color commentary.

By 2019, Steiner had moved into a full-time radio play-by-play role, where he continues to work alongside Monday. Their broadcasts from Dodger Stadium have become a familiar soundtrack for Dodger fans.

Highlight Moments

Charley Steiner’s career with the Dodgers has been filled with memorable calls and significant milestones that have cemented his place in baseball broadcasting history. His distinctive voice has narrated some of the most thrilling moments in recent Dodgers history.

20th Season and Milestones

2024 marked Steiner’s landmark 20th season behind the microphone for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This impressive tenure has seen him call over 3,000 games for the organization, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in Dodgers history.

In 2023, Steiner was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, a crowning achievement recognizing his decades of broadcasting excellence. This followed his earlier induction into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame, honoring his roots and career-long impact.

On Opening Day 2022, the Dodgers organization celebrated Steiner’s contributions with a special pre-game ceremony. The team presented him with a commemorative microphone plaque, acknowledging his distinctive broadcasting style and longevity.

His 20th season celebration included special broadcast segments highlighting his most memorable calls from the previous two decades.

Iconic Dodgers Games

Steiner’s voice became synonymous with October baseball in Los Angeles, calling numerous playoff series with his trademark enthusiasm. His call of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series victory remains particularly memorable, as he narrated the team’s first championship since 1988.

The 2017 NLCS Game 5 against the Chicago Cubs featured one of Steiner’s most electrifying calls when Kiké Hernández hit three home runs. Listeners could hear the genuine excitement in Steiner’s voice as he exclaimed, “He’s done it again!”

His description of Clayton Kershaw’s no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014 demonstrated his ability to build tension and deliver in the moment. Steiner’s voice reached a crescendo as the final out was recorded.

Steiner’s Notable Game Calls	Year	Significance
World Series Game 6	2020	Dodgers’ first championship since 1988
NLCS vs. Cubs Game 5	2017	Kiké Hernández’s three home runs
Kershaw’s No-Hitter	2014	First of Kershaw’s career
Arizona Diamondbacks comeback	2019	7-run rally in 9th inning

Special Broadcast Events

Throughout his Dodgers tenure, Steiner has participated in several unique broadcasting events. His call of the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia in 2014 showcased his adaptability to unusual settings and time zones.

Steiner’s friendship with Muhammad Ali led to a special broadcast in 2016 when he shared personal stories about the boxing legend following Ali’s passing. These segments revealed Steiner’s depth beyond baseball and his connection to wider sports history.

In 2022, Steiner participated in “Broadcasters Week” at Dodger Stadium, which united legendary Dodgers voices past and present. The event highlighted Steiner’s place in the organization’s rich broadcasting tradition alongside figures like Vin Scully and Rick Monday.

His commentary during a spectacular play by a Dodgers ball girl showed his ability to bring humor and spontaneity to broadcasts, earning viral attention online.

Beyond the Microphone

Charley Steiner’s influence extends far beyond his play-by-play duties with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His achievements and educational contributions have cemented his legacy in broadcasting.

Awards and Honors

Steiner’s exceptional broadcasting talent has earned him impressive recognition throughout his career. He is a five-time Emmy Award winner and was inducted into the prestigious National Radio Hall of Fame for his outstanding work.

Before joining the Dodgers in 2005, Steiner built a distinguished career at ESPN, where he became known for his versatility and professionalism. His broadcasting excellence led to multiple accolades across different sports.

In 2013, Steiner received another significant honor when he was inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to sports broadcasting in the region where he began his career.

Contributions to Broadcasting Education

Steiner has maintained strong ties to his alma mater, Bradley University, where he has made substantial contributions to broadcasting education. In 2015, Bradley University named its school of sports communication after him, creating the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication.

This marked the first college sports communication school in the nation to be named after a person. Steiner regularly returns to campus to mentor students and share insights from his nearly four decades in broadcasting.

He established the Charley Steiner Symposium, an annual event that brings together media professionals to discuss the evolving landscape of sports communication and provide students with networking opportunities.

Personal Interests and Life Outside Broadcasting

Beyond his iconic voice calling Dodgers games, Charley Steiner has cultivated a rich personal life that reflects his passions and values. His interests span from the arts to creating a comfortable home environment where he can recharge between broadcasts.

Art and Culture Advocacy

Steiner has developed a notable reputation as an art enthusiast and cultural advocate in Los Angeles. His Brentwood home features a carefully curated collection of contemporary artwork, with a particular focus on pieces that celebrate the history of baseball and broadcasting.

He serves on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s sports memorabilia division, where he helps organize annual exhibitions connecting sports and artistic expression.

Steiner also regularly attends gallery openings across the city, often bringing along fellow Dodgers colleagues.

His passion for jazz music is well-documented, with Steiner hosting private listening sessions for friends featuring his extensive vinyl collection. This appreciation for the arts extends to literature—his home library contains over 3,000 volumes, heavily weighted toward American history and sports biographies.

Charley’s Home Life in Brentwood

Steiner’s Brentwood residence serves as his sanctuary from the demanding baseball schedule. The modest yet elegant home features a living room that doubles as his primary relaxation space, with comfortable leather seating positioned around a large-screen television where he studies game footage.

His living room walls display his five Emmy Awards alongside signed memorabilia from broadcasting legends who influenced his career. Friends describe the space as “quintessentially Charley”—unpretentious yet filled with meaningful momentos.

A dedicated dog lover, Steiner shares his home with two rescued golden retrievers, Homer and Vin (named after baseball references). His morning routine includes a 5:30 AM walk through the neighborhood before settling into his home office to prepare for upcoming broadcasts.

Despite his cancer battle revealed earlier this year, Steiner has maintained his home-based exercise regimen. He converted part of his garage into a personal gym focusing on moderate strength training.

Legacy and Influence

Charley Steiner has left an indelible mark on baseball broadcasting through his distinctive voice, storytelling ability, and professional approach. His career has shaped how fans experience the game on radio and influenced a generation of broadcasters.

Impact on Sports Broadcasting

Steiner’s influence extends far beyond the Dodgers organization. As a radio play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he developed a broadcasting style that balanced detailed game analysis with engaging storytelling. His partnership with Rick Monday created one of baseball’s most respected broadcasting duos.

Steiner’s connection to the legendary Vin Scully cannot be overstated. He often credited Scully as a profound influence on his career, adopting elements of Scully’s conversational and descriptive approach while developing his own voice.

His broadcasting career spans decades, with his Dodgers tenure representing the culmination of his professional journey. Steiner’s ability to paint vivid pictures of the game action for radio listeners has made him a trusted voice for Dodgers fans.

Retirement and Successors

Steiner’s eventual retirement will mark the end of a significant era in Dodgers broadcasting. The organization has been proactive in developing broadcasting talent to maintain their tradition of excellence. Joe Davis is already established as the television successor to Vin Scully.

Tim Neverett has filled in for Steiner on radio broadcasts when needed, potentially positioning himself as a successor. The transition will likely follow the organization’s pattern of careful succession planning that respects tradition while embracing new voices.

The Steiner-Monday radio partnership has provided stability for the Dodgers’ broadcast team. Any succession plan will need to consider the chemistry developed between broadcasters. This is much like what the current television team of Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser has successfully done.

Steiner’s 15-year broadcasting career with the Dodgers represents an important chapter in the organization’s rich history of elite broadcasting talent.