Longtime Conn. sportscaster Arnold Dean dies at 82

ROCKY HILL, Conn. (AP) — Longtime sportscaster Arnold Dean, creator of one of the first sports call-in shows, has died at age 82.

Brooklawn Funeral Home in Rocky Hill says Dean died today at his home, also in Rocky Hill.

Dean's career in sports broadcasting spans more than 60 years. He spent much of his career at WTIC-AM in Harford, starting in 1965. The radio station says he began hosting "WTIC SportsTalk with Arnold Dean," in 1976. It was one of the earliest all-sports call-in shows.

Dean would interview such sports legends as Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams.

WTIC Operations Manager Steve Salhany says Dean was "a consummate professional, consummate gentleman, and an all-around good person."

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.