When was Al Trautwig diagnosed with cancer? Legendary sportscaster and voice of MSG dies at 68

Renowned sports commentator AI Trautwig has passed away at the age of 68 due to complications of cancer. According to his son Alex, he died on February 23, 2025, at his home in Long Island, as told to the Associated Press.

His former colleague and friend, Alan Hahn, confirmed his death.

"I'm sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports," he wrote in a statement on X.

"But we lost a lot more than that.” He added. “He was not only a friend, but a mentor and teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career. Rest in peace, Al Trautwig.”

According to a report in North Jersey, Trautwig was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and took a leave of absence from MSG Networks. He reportedly served as a studio host for the MSG Network, where he covered pregame and postgame shows for the Knicks, Rangers, and Yankees.

When and how AI Trautwig take leave after being diagnosed with cancer?

When AI Trautwig was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, following that, he took a leave of absence from MSG Networks. However, he didn’t reveal the reason behind it.

“I’m going to be taking some personal time off, and look forward to returning to what I love most — bringing NY fans the coverage they crave on MSG Networks,” he said in a statement, as reported by the New York Post.

He reportedly began working for MSG Networks in 1989. He left MSG Network in 2021 when it did not renew his contract, according to a report in Newsday. Although MSG Networks didn't reveal the reason behind their decline it seems that Trautwig's irregular appearances were one of the reasons.

In an interview with Newsday in 2024, he claimed that he was "cleared, and now it is just a matter of getting better" as mentioned in a report in Marca, until his recent passing on February 23, 2025.

On his demise, MSG Network took to X to pay their tributes. They wrote,

“MSG Networks is truly saddened by the news of Al Trautwig's passing. Al was a staple on MSG Networks' Knicks, Rangers and Yankees coverage for more than 30 years, and his passion for the teams he covered was undeniable.”

“He leaves behind one of the great legacies in New York sports broadcasting history. Our thoughts and prayers are with Al's family and friends.” The statement concluded.

Trautwig graduated from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. He hosted USA Network's hockey coverage in the 1980s and covered the last eight Olympics. He was the host of the New York Yankees' pre- and postgame shows from 1991 to 2001 on MSG Network and also covered the New York Rangers and Knicks, according to the New York Jets.

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He covered 16 Olympics and won four national Emmys, as indicated in a report by the New York Post.

In addition to MSG Network, the former sports broadcaster also worked with ABC, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and USA Network throughout his career. Many friends and fans of AI Trautwig have remembered him in their prayers as they paid him their tributes.

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