Keith Jones - Parx announcer to retire
 

https://www.theracingbiz.com/2020/12...nes-to-retire/

Called 60,000 years across over 30 years.

HELLO! He was always one of my favorites. I still rib my buddy Larry about Keith being my favorite announcer. :)

Maybe Frank Miramahdi's best line in his famous "Hasta La Vista" call. "Boule D'Or? Boule D'Or Hello!"

Him and Jim Hannon from Suffolk Downs had unique voices. I would walk in and hear Keith's voice from the simulcasting area and knew ' Philly is running today '

HELLO!! And goodbye :(

Jones really did, plus it sounded like he was calling out of the bathroom with that weird echo sound. Come to think of it, there is a whole generation of callers with unique voices that are gone. I wasn't familiar with Hannon, but Ross Morton, Bob Weems (Monmouth), Mike Battaglia and Marshall Cassidy come to mind where you instantly recognize the track or circuit based on their voices.

Sad to see the end of a couple of long race calling careers in 2020. Keith with 33 years at Philly plus John Curran who had 37 years under his belt at Delaware. That's an incredible 70 years' between them!

I see Delaware have announced that Josh Brown will take over race calling duties there for 2021. I wonder who will end up calling at Philly? Perhaps Peter Berry would like to step up to a bigger track after almost 20 years calling at Mountaineer? Would LOVE to see him calling at Parx! :headbanger::headbanger::headbanger:

I remember back when Keith started his career with the Garden State trotters (I think in 1985.) He could call a really good harness race!

I was there for that race, was stationed at McGuire AFB at the time. I spent many a night playing Garden State (even harness) and simulcasting from around the country.

Since I started out at Keystone/Philly Park/Parx when full-card simulcasting was just beginning, I heard Keith call more races live than every other race caller put together. He was always very good. I thought he was able to sound enthused and "into" the race even when it was a rudimentary $5000 claimer on a cold day in February, but not to the point it was over the top.

He was also the Philadelphia Phantoms in-arena announcer when they were still in Philly and was very good at that too.

Jim Hannon- RiP
 

http://https://youtu.be/-abcCS5F9mM?t=14

Did you know they changed that horse's name to "Football Team"?

Nice 'call'....I almost put that up with my post. Another unique one gone

I went to school in Phila area and used to take the bus over from 10th and Filbert St in Center City. I really liked the Sat matinee t-breds in the winter. Interesting bus ride, too!

End of an era.