Eric Nadel Out With Torn Retina; Send Get Well Wishes Here

Posted on June 4th, 2009 9:19am by Evan Grant
Filed under Uncategorized

Rangers radio broadcaster Eric Nadel will be out of action for an indefinite period of time with a torn retina. He is currently in surgery in New York and will return to Texas after the surgery, but will have to be basically immobilized while the surgical area heals.

Nadel, who just turned 58, has broadcast 3,176 consecutive games over the last 20 years. He last missed broadcasts from May 29-June 2, 1989 after the death of his father. This is Nadel’s 32nd year of broadcasting Rangers games.

Eric is a long-time friend – best friend-caliber – and has been an ardent supporter of the blog. I’d like to think that when he’s able to look at his computer again, I can direct him to this site where he can read any number of get well wishes from the fans.

UPDATE: Nadel is out of surgery and headed back to Texas. Surgery went well, he texted. No word on how much time he’ll miss.

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62 Comments to “Eric Nadel Out With Torn Retina; Send Get Well Wishes Here”
  • Brandon @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Eric,

    One of the True great voices of baseball. Get well soon my man!We are all missing hearing your calls!

  • Tom @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Eric, I’ve been listening to you in my garage for years. It won’t be the same for awhile. Get well, and get back for that playoff run!.

  • tunbleweed @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Mr. Nadel, you are a very bright spot within the Rangers broadcast. I will miss your comments and great voice. I had the surgery some years back and it was very successful. Get well soon and our prayers go out to you.

  • James @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:42 am

    That’s absolutely terrible news. I’ll very much miss him. Hope he recovers fully and quickly.

  • turnerd @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Eric – Best wishes on your surgery and recovery. Take the time you need, although the Rangers broadcasts definitely won’t be the same without you.

  • Casey @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:54 am

    Get Well Soon Eric!

    Your stint on the DL has got me more worried than Hamilton’s. The Ranger experience for this baseball die hard is simply not the same without you.

  • A. Stephens @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am

    I once spoke to you and Mark Holtz on KRLD back in the day. Told ya’ll you reminded me of listening to Cardinals games with the great Haray Caray and Jack Buck together on KMOX when I was a kid. Don’t remember why, but we did a little “Larry King” bit. I miss Mark Holtz and I’ll miss your voice as you recover. God Bless and be safe my friend.

  • bigskinny @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:55 am

    Even my wife can tell the difference between the quality of Eric and everyone else…and she’s not exactly what you would call a baseball fan. It’s like a deep breath of fresh air each spring when I hear Eric start a broadcast again after the layoff. Get to experience that twice this summer. Get well soon, Eric, so we can all breathe!

  • Ace Kabob @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:56 am

    Eric -

    Best wishes on a speedy recovery. And when the ophthalmologists say “immobilize,” they mean it!

  • Patrick A. @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:56 am

    Best wishes, Eric! Broadcasts won’t be the same without you.

  • A. Stephens @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:56 am

    Actually it might have been WBAP, may have had something to do with Bobby Bragan as well. Oh well, just wanted to be accurate.

  • Chris @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:57 am

    Mr. Nadel, get well soon and enjoy the time off. You’re gonna need your rest for October!

  • Doug @ June 4th, 2009 at 9:57 am

    Eric,
    My prayers are with you – I’ll miss hearing you on the broadcasts. Get well soon, and we’ll leave the light on for you.

  • Jim @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Eric,
    Hoping you get better soon. I will miss your wonderful insigts.

  • Rangers fan @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Eric, You will be missed while you are out. Good luck and get well soon. Driving home from work during games will not be the same.

  • Chris @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:03 am

    Get well soon!

  • Jack Daddy @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:04 am

    Eric,

    Our prayers are with you. I have been listening to you since I was 6 and now my 6 year old listens to you. I fully expect my 6 yr old grandson to do the same some day. You are a legend as a broadcaster, and having the pleasure of meeting you and spending a few minutes talking to you, very clearly a a gem of a human being.

    Get well soon. We have a pennant race to jump into!!

  • jay @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:07 am

    Eric,

    No offense to your colleagues but the broadcasts will suffer. I will miss pages from baseballs past while you’re out. Get some rest, buddy. You’ll need to gear up for the next 32 years.

  • Craig @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Eric,

    I enjoy your work so much. Get well and come back soon. Hopefully the Rangers will keep winning for you.

  • Mick @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:20 am

    Mr. Nadel, you are by far the best radio voice in baseball (this I know, I’ve listened to them all). Please get well soon, it won’t be the same without you.

  • James H @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:23 am

    Eric,
    I grew up listening to you and Mark. Although i have never met you, i feel like I know you. It won’t be the same without you. Take care, buddy and look forward to you coming off the DL.

  • dude @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:33 am

    Get well. You will be missed.

  • maf @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Take care, Eric! Can’t wait to have you back.

  • Gastronome @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am

    Eric, listening to you after leaving the old ball park in Arlington before the 9th inning on hot summer nights is nothing but a fond memory which has been buttressed every year since. The singsong of your dulcent voice has served as my eyes on the game in a way that almost made me afraid to meet you. Could the man live up to the voice? Yes, and then some. Take care, god speed, my prayers and those of many others are with you.

  • YankeeInTexas @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Eric, get well soon. We are praying for a quick recovery. You will be missed.

  • Terry @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Eric,
    Love the way you describe a game. It’s a part of what makes me a Ranger fan. Hey, for a rehab assignment, maybe you can call a portion of a game from memory! You have shared many memories with us over the years, and no doubt have a few of your own. Rest easy. We’ll have a spot for you when you’re well.

  • JRB @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:48 am

    You are an amazing talent, Eric. Absolutely won’t be the same without you. Get well and hurry back!

  • Adamundo @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:49 am

    An absolute joy on the radio. He will be missed. Get well soon, Eric!

  • Brad R. @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:51 am

    He will be missed while on the shelf. Rangers baseball isn’t the same without him. Eric Nadel is easily the best in the business.

  • Malone @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Get well soon Eric! Well miss you very much. Hopefully well still be in first place when you get back. I’m sure these guys will try to win some games for you while your gone!

  • Old Landman @ June 4th, 2009 at 10:58 am

    Eric,

    Prayers from my wife and I for a full and speedy recovery. We think you’re simply the best in the business. We have 20 game mini-plan tickets and sit in Section 224, just below you and to your left. We always wave and say hi and you always wave back and flash the big smile. Its part of our pregame fan ritual.

  • Kent Benfer @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Eric Nadel is the Rangers to me. Growing up in Abilene in the ’80s we didn’t get a lot of games on TV. I spent many a night in my backyard listening to Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel. Still remember Eric’s call of Nolan Ryan’s 5000th strikeout. Classic call. Eric is the voice of summer to me and I wish a very speedy recovery. It won’t be the same without him.

    Hopefully the next time he misses a game will be when he is inducted into the broadcaster’s wing in Cooperstown!

  • fo shizzle @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Godspeed in your recovery. Someone help the dumb guy that knows nothing about torn retinas, but isn’t there trauma normally associated with a torn retina. How did this happen?

  • Evan Grant @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:24 am

    @fo shizzle: No trauma. Just happened. It can happen to anybody.

  • becca @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:26 am

    eric,

    Estoy pensando en ti, y quiero que estes bien muy pronto.

    can’t wait for you to get back.

  • Ghost of Jeff Kunkel @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Eric -

    I am profoundly grateful for your dedication to your craft and to this game.

    You are a part of the fabric of my youth, and I offer my prayers for a speedy recovery.

    Enjoy your convalescence, but hurry back! I’m sure that you want to be a witness to this season even more than we all want you to!

  • Chris Hartman @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:29 am

    I’m 40 years old, and Eric Nadel is one of the big reasons I’m a die-hard Rangers’ fan to this day. I grew up listening to the Rangers with my dad on WBAP and then KRLD. Eric Nadel is overdue for Cooperstown. Get well soon….

    P.S. Living in Wichita Falls, I miss the Rangers having an AM flagship because now I can’t listen to them in my car anymore….

  • Little O @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Best wishes Eric and hurry back! Sitting in the backyard listening to the Rangers isn’t the same without you calling the game.

  • Rod in NC @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    It’s been said that sports is something that links all our days. Eric has been a constant in many of our lives from when we were kids all through adulthood. Eric, your class, humor, intelligence, and grace shine through in every broadcast. Thank you for 30+ years of service, and the day you return to the booth will be a great one.

  • Jeff Miller @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:49 am

    Best wishes, Eric. Upon your return, you get as many warm-up intros as you’d like.

  • Mike Hindman @ June 4th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Eric: I honestly sit and think how lucky we are to have you every time I tune in to a Rangers broadcast. You are an artist who paints a vivid picture, sets the perfect tone and makes me feel like baseball can cure whatever it is that ails me. We all owe you a lot for what you give us every day during the summer. Get well soon my friend.

  • Juboon @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Eric, sir, everyone ahead of me has said it so much better than I can, but I’ll keep it simple. We’re sorry this happened, but we have faith you’ll be OK — and we love you! Come back as soon as you can, because it truly isn’t summer without you.

  • scooper @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Eric – I’m glad to hear surgery went well. My prayers are with you and I hope you recover quickly. We all miss you and will be glad when you are back with the team. Others before me were more eloquent, but my sentiments are still sincere! Godspeed, my friend!

  • James @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Godspeed Eric and hurry back. You’re in our prayers.

  • 6062 @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    Eric get well soon, we will miss you. Hurry back!

  • Michael in LH @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    We’ll miss you Eric. Looking forward to your return. Take it easy and get well soon.

  • Fisk72 @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Have been listening to baseball on the radio for nearly 50 years and Eric is one of the best. A speedy recovery for you and the thoughts and prayers of our entire listening family is with you.

  • JWH @ June 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Eric,

    My dad was lucky enough to grow up listening to Jack Buck, and I was lucky enough to grow up listening to you. You are one of the best. Get well soon.

    Best Regards!

  • md @ June 4th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Eric we are excited about your new eye giving you Ted Williams-esque vision. Being able to count the seam-rotation from the booth will serve us all.

    Seriously, a significant piece of my Rangers experience is missing with the void you’ve left. Get well soon my friend.

  • dirty @ June 4th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Mr. Nadel,
    Please get well soon and know that you will be missed while you are recovering. I have grown up listening to you paint the picture of the game each day/night. You have been, many times over, the best thing about listening to a Rangers game.

    Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. You truly are the best.

  • Jeremy @ June 4th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Eric,

    Can’t wait until you are back.

    Jeremy

  • Ehren @ June 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Eric,
    Your voice will be missed while you are healing. Don’t not rush it! We don’t need you missing anymore games for.

    Get Well and Best Wishes,

    Brett (aka Ehren)

  • Adam @ June 4th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    Mr. Nadel,

    Sorry to hear about your troubles. Get well soon. You’re tops in my book

  • JC @ June 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Eric Nadel is a class act and a great broadcaster. I hope he has a speedy and pain-free recovery!

  • Nancy Nichols @ June 4th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Eric, I hope you can read this. Call me if you need chicken soup and potato salad.

  • David @ June 4th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Eric,

    Can’t begin to tell you of all the great memories I have listening to you as I have driven across the state. You are a huge part of the Rangers history and a big part of Ranger fans lives. I hope that your recovery is swift and I will be counting the days until you are back on the air.

    All the best.

    David

  • Nancy Damon @ June 4th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    No one loves you more than your family! How wonderful it is to read these kind remarks… I agree with them all!!

  • JmH @ June 4th, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Eric – We sure will miss you while you are recovering. There is none better in the business of painting the picture. I can close my eyes and visualize the game down to the last detail as you call it. I hope your recovery is speedy and we wait anxously for your return.

  • Rudy @ June 4th, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    Get better soon, Eric! Rest that voice for a great stretch run!!!

  • walrus @ June 4th, 2009 at 6:33 pm

    Before the day of the internet making it easy to see a lot of games on tv, I spent many a night listening and enjoying your description of what the Rangers were doing. Thank you so very much for doing what you do, and doing it well. You’ve made the trauma of being a Ranger fan a much more pleasant experience than it should have been. Get well soon, this may well be an extraordinary year, and a lot of people will want to hear your description of it.

  • Daniel @ June 5th, 2009 at 1:18 am

    Eric, I grew up listening to you and Mark Holtz on the radio. I was listening to your Every time I hear an out-of-town announcer, I count my blessings that I get to listen to Eric Nadel every night — you’re the best in the business!

    Get well soon!

  • weldon bryant @ August 6th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Eric , I have a baseball poem for you to read.
    How can I send it to you. I promise it is
    worth the while to read it. ( I wrote it so
    it is an original)
    Weldon R. Bryant
    welldoneson@gmail.com
    817-735-1616