ST. LOUIS - Robert G. "Buddy" Blattner, a former major leaguer whose broadcast career included being the longtime voice of the NBA's St. Louis Hawks, has died.

Blattner died Friday of complications from lung cancer at his home in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield, his daughter said. He was 89.

Blattner was born in St. Louis in 1920. He began his baseball career with the Cardinals in 1942, then missed the next three seasons while serving in the Navy. Blattner then played three seasons with the Giants and one with the Phillies.

As a broadcaster, he did play-by-play on national games for ABC in 1953 and 1954, and for CBS from 1955 through 1959.

He also did play-by-play stints for the Browns, Cardinals, Angels and Royals.