Longtime Sportscaster Neumeier Dies at 70

Bob Neumeier, a sportscaster whose career included covering horse racing for NBC, died Oct. 23. He was 70. 

According to the Boston Globe, Neumeier's wife, Michele Ucci, said he suffered from congestive heart failure and heart disease and had been in hospice care the last eight weeks. NBC Sports reported he passed away peacefully at home with Ucci by his side.

Neumeier, known as "Neumy," was born in Weymouth, Mass., and after graduating from Syracuse University with a bachelor's degree in television and radio, he had a long career covering Boston sports in addition to his role in horse racing.

In a statement, Breeders' Cup said, "We were very saddened to learn today of the passing of Bob Neumeier. Bob was a big part of the NBC Breeders' Cup World Championships broadcasts for many years as a handicapper, reporter, and analyst. Bob brought his expertise of Thoroughbred racing and a great sense of humor to every show. We extend our sincere condolences to Bob's wife Michele and to his extended family."

The decades flew by but the laughs, stories and respect goes on and on. Bob was one of a kind. Those who knew him were the lucky ones. #RIP #Neumy pic.twitter.com/fbra7PExrK

— Kenny Rice (@KennyRiceSports) October 24, 2021

Randy Moss, who covers horse racing for NBC, tweeted, "Bob Neumeier was the consummate professional in TV, radio and as a horseplayer. His knowledge and wry delivery made him a favorite of sports fans—but he was even more beloved by those who knew him or worked with him. 'Neumy' was one of the nicest guys in any room he inhabited."

Neumeier's first job in broadcasting came in 1975 on WTIC in Hartford, Conn., calling play-by-play of hockey games for the New England Whalers (later the NHL's Hartford Whalers). From 1981-2002, he was the weekend sports reporter for WBZ-TV in Boston and for part of that period called play-by-play for the Boston Bruins on WBZ Radio. From 2002-05, Neumeier co-hosted WEEI radio's Dale and Neumy Show with Dale Arnold. 

Besides his horse racing duties, Neumeier was a track and field reporter for NBC during the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens and also helped with NBC coverage for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Other coverage later in his career included the Tour de France for CBS and football for NBC.

Neumeier used his handicapping skills in horse racing outside NBC as well. He won the inaugural National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship Charity Challenge in January of 2015, less than three months after being hospitalized for a stroke that led to 5 1/2 hours of brain surgery. 

Other accomplishments by Neumeier in the world of horse racing included the 1981 Television Achievement Award for Outstanding Coverage of Thoroughbred Racing and scoring first place in the 1990 World Cup of Thoroughbred Handicapping at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.