Bob Neumeier

{{Infobox person

| name = Bob Neumeier

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1950|11|3}}

| birth_place = Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|10|23|1950|11|3}}

| death_place = Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.{{cite news |last1=Dupont |first1=Kevin Paul |title=Bob Neumeier, great sportscaster and better storyteller, will be missed |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/30/sports/bob-neumeier-known-great-storyteller-will-be-missed/ |access-date=16 October 2023 |work=The Boston Globe |date=October 30, 2021}}

| other_names =

| occupation = Sports broadcaster

| years_active =

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage|Lynn McCann|1983|1993|end=divorced}}{{cite news |last1=Fee |first1=Gayle |last2=Raposa |first2=Laura |title=Inside Track |work=Boston Herald |date=April 1, 1993}}
{{marriage|Michele Ucci|2009}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/24/sports/bob-neumeier-longtime-ch-4-sports-reporter-nbc-horse-racing-expert-dies/ |title=Bob Neumeier, longtime Boston sports reporter and NBC horse racing expert, dies at 70 |first=Chad |last=Finn |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=October 24, 2021 |accessdate=October 24, 2021}}

}}

| children =

| known_for = {{ubl

|Boston-based sports reporting,

|horse racing commentary

}}

| notable_works =

| alma_mater = Syracuse University

| awards =

}}

Robert E. Neumeier{{cite book |title=Weymouth High School/Technical High School yearbook |date=1968 |publisher=Weymouth High School |url=https://archive.org/details/weymouthhighscho1968unse/page/110/mode/2up?view=theater |access-date=25 October 2021}} (November 3, 1950 – October 23, 2021) was an American sportscaster for several Boston-area media outlets. He also appeared on NBC Sports, specializing in Thoroughbred racing.

Early life

Neumeier was born on November 3, 1950, and grew up in Weymouth, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Weymouth High School in Massachusetts in 1968.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jim |title=Shakeup continues at Ch.7 |work=Boston Herald |date=November 4, 1994}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87696454/more-who-made-the-grade/ |title=More who made the grade |newspaper=The Boston Globe Magazine |page=32 |date=June 12, 1994 |accessdate=October 24, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}} After graduating from Syracuse University, Neumeier taught history for a short while at Weymouth High School, worked in the sports department of the Boston Globe, and did public relations work for the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association (who later became the NHL's Hartford Whalers).{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2007/01/05/neumeier_happy_with_second_choice/

|title= Neumeier happy with second choice

|author= Susan Bickelhaupt |date=2007-01-05 |publisher=Boston Globe| access-date=2007-06-03}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87695727/perseverance-talent-and-fate/ |title=Perseverance, talent, and fate |first=Jack |last=Craig |newspaper=The Boston Globe |page=TV-11 |date=January 23, 1983 |accessdate=October 24, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}

Broadcasting career

=Hartford Whalers=

Neumeier's first job in broadcasting began in 1975 on WTIC in Hartford, Connecticut, where he called play-by-play of the Whalers, working with Bill Rasmussen and Larry Pleau; among their calls was the famous "Brawl at the Mall" in April 1975 during a playoff series with the Minnesota Fighting Saints.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEz1BtBICc April 11, 1975 Whalers-Fighting Saints brawl] from YouTube In 1979, Neumeier left the Whalers to become the sports anchor at WFSB in Hartford.

=WBZ=

In 1981, Bob Lobel replaced Roger Twibell as the principal sports anchor at WBZ-TV in Boston and recommended Neumeier for the position of weekend sports anchor. After only six months, Neumeier was replaced by Jerry Azar and reassigned to a reporting role. In 1989, WBZ promoted Neumeier to weekend sports anchor following the departure of Don Shane.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Jack |title=Patience pays for Neumeier |work=The Boston Globe |date=May 23, 1989}} Neumeier also co-hosted the Patriots Game Day Pre-Game Show with Tim Fox on WBZ radio from 1993 to 1995.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jim |title=Ditka turns diplomat |work=Boston Herald |date=September 7, 1993}}{{cite news |last1=Greenidge |first1=Jim |title=Ordway prefers 2 voices, But his budget at WEEI is expected to have the final say |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 21, 1995}} In 1995, Neumeier became the play-by-play commentator for the Boston Bruins on WBZ Radio.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jim |title=Neumeier is B's choice |work=Boston Herald |date=February 3, 1995}} He was succeeded as weekend sports anchor by Steve Burton, but remained with the station. By 2000, Neumeier had tired of traveling with the Bruins and saw WBZ-TV, where Bob Lobel was entrenched as the lead sports anchor, as a dead-end. He resigned as Bruins announcer after the 1999-2000 season and left WBZ-TV when his contract expired that summer.{{cite news |last1=Greenidge |first1=Jim |title=Neumeier to leave radio job |work=The Boston Globe |date=April 11, 2000}}{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jim |title=Neumeier to sign off at Ch.4; Longtime reporter's future uncertain |work=Boston Herald |date=July 4, 2000}}

=Other work=

From 1989 to 2000, Neumeier reported and handicapped on ESPN's coverage of Thoroughbred racing.{{cite news |last1=Ferguson |first1=John D. |title=One Sure Thing; Lincoln is sport's ambassador |work=Tulsa World |date=July 18, 2000}} He was the play-by-play announcer for the 1990 Frozen Four, which was broadcast on WFXT.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Jack |title=Ch. 25 Dream Game Vanishes |work=The Boston Globe |date=April 1, 1990}} In 1994 he was a reporter for some of the NHL on ABC's late-season and playoff games.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Jim |title=Upsets don't upset CBS |work=Boston Herald |date=March 22, 1994}}

=NBC Sports=

In 1990, Neumeier defeated around 350 of the world's best handicappers to win the Caesars Palace World Series of Handicapping.{{cite news |last1=Madden |first1=Michael |title=A mutuel admiration society: Neumeier became the chairman as he found Las Vegas to be no handicap |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 5, 1990}} That October, NBC hired him to serve as a roving reporter for its coverage of the Breeders’ Cup.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Jack |title=Ready for prime time: Neumeier, Edwards aren't weak end of the operation |work=The Boston Globe |date=December 23, 1990}} For the 1991 Breeders’ Cup he was promoted to lead reporter, conducting interviews in the winner's circle.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Jack |title=Neumeier uses his horse sense |work=The Boston Globe |date=July 23, 1991}} In 1992, Neumeier was moved to the handicapper's role.{{cite news |last1=Craig |first1=Jack |title=All bets off the air Ch. 4 blacks out Neumeier's coup |work=The Boston Globe |date=October 14, 1992}} In 2001 he became a member of the broadcast team for the Triple Crown after NBC gained the rights to the races.{{cite news |last1=Griffith |first1=Bill |title=Neumeier Set For Another Run |work=The Boston Globe |date=May 3, 2002}} During a May 1, 2009, telecast from Churchill Downs, Neumeier collapsed off the air and was taken to Audubon Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jA6tvJF6jRnsKsHmXN_zq1z4BwVQD97TONT06 Racing Analyst Bob Neumeier hospitalized]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Retrieved on 2009-05-04. He missed the 2009 Kentucky Derby, but returned later that month for the 2009 Preakness Stakes.{{cite news |title=Rachel Alexandra Wins the Preakness |work=The New York Times (online) |date=May 16, 2009}} Neumeier was hospitalized after suffering a stroke on October 29, 2014.{{cite web|last1=Finn|first1=Chad|title=Bob Neumeier hospitalized after suffering stroke|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/10/30/bob-neumeier-hospitalized-after-stroke/1hIFgqBpIhe6vb4Yo6Hq6H/story.html|website=bostonglobe.com|publisher=Boston Globe|access-date=31 October 2014}} He was unable to attend the 2014 Breeders' Cup or the 2015 Kentucky Derby, but did appear on the Derby broadcast in a pre-recorded segment. The stroke affected his balance and coordination, but not his motor skills or speech. He returned for NBC's coverage of the 2015 Preakness Stakes.{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Chad |title=Neumeier thankful as he returns to work |work=The Boston Globe |date=May 1, 2015}}

Neumeier's work on NBC's horse racing coverage led to other opportunities at the network. In 1991, he was a reported for NBC's coverage of the American Cup gymnastics event. He was part of the network's team at the 1992 Summer Olympics, covering equestrian events. During the 2004 Summer Olympics, he was a reporter during track and field events. In 2006, he signed a three-year deal with NBC Sports, which saw him report on Football Night in America and host the network's NHL coverage as well continue his horse racing and Olympic duties.{{cite news |last1=Bickelhaupt |first1=Susan |title=Japanese star would bring a world of attention |work=The Boston Globe |date=November 17, 2006}} NBC did not renew his contract in 2009, but Neumeier remained a part of its horse racing coverage through 2016.

=WEEI=

After leaving WBZ, Neumeier freelanced as a college hockey announcer for FSN New England, a panelist on WSBK-TV’s "5th Quarter" Patriots postgame show, and as a Sunday morning co-host on WEEI during the baseball season.{{cite news |last1=Doyle |first1=Bill |title=WEEI, Eddie face off ; Neumeier ready for Andelman |work=Telegram & Gazette |date=February 28, 2002}}{{cite news |last1=Griffith |first1=Bill |title=Versatile Neumeier is a Sure Bet at NBC |work=The Boston Globe |date=October 24, 2003}}

In February 2002, Neumeier replaced Eddie Andelman as Dale Arnold’s co-host on WEEI's midday show.{{cite news |last1=Griffith |first1=Bill |title=Neumeier is Talk of Town; He Appears to be WEEI's Choice |work=The Boston Globe |date=February 14, 2002}} Neumeier joined WEEI at a time where the station, which was also home to Dennis and Callahan and The Big Show, experienced an explosion in popularity.{{cite news |last1=Griffith |first1=Bill |title=Options for Neumeier; Timing is Perfect for a Big Payday |work=The Boston Globe |date=January 28, 2005}} In 2005, Neumeier left Dale & Neumy, which was the highest-rated show in its time slot, after he and Entercom failed to come to terms on a contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2005/02/11/gamble_fails_for_neumeier/

|title= Gamble fails for Neumeier

|author= Bill Griffith |date=2005-02-11 |publisher=Boston Globe| access-date=2007-06-03}}

=Later work=

After leaving WEEI, Neumeier spent most of his time in Miami. In 2009 he married a woman who worked in Boston, which resulted in him returning to New England. He worked as a fill-in host for both WEEI and its competitor WBZ-FM.{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Chad |title=Neumeier keeps channels open: Sports media; He proves that you can go back again |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 6, 2010}} In 2010 he joined CSN New England as an anchor of its SportsNet Central program. He remained with CSN until 2016, when he was let go in a cost-cutting move.{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Chad |title=Bob Neumeier, Sean McAdam to be let go by CSN |work=The Boston Globe |date=December 22, 2016}}

Death

Neumeier died on October 23, 2021.

{{cite web|last1=Rabello|first1=Kevin|title=Veteran Sportscaster Bob Neumeier Dies.|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/10/24/bob-neumeier-sportscaster-death-wbz/|website=boston.cbslocal.com|publisher=WBZ 4|access-date=23 October 2021}} He had suffered from congestive heart failure and heart disease and had been in hospice care for the eight weeks prior to his death. The city of Louisville subsequently named a street in his honor, Neumeier Place.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/08/02/sports/red-sox-dan-shaughnessy/ |title=We're still wondering exactly what the Red Sox are, and other thoughts |first=Dan |last=Shaughnessy |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=August 2, 2024 |accessdate=August 2, 2024}}