Gil Stratton

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gil Stratton, a longtime television and radio news anchor in Southern California who later became the voice of the Rams and Santa Anita horse racing, died Saturday. He was 86.

Stratton died at his home in Toluca Lakes, Calif., of congestive heart failure, daughter Laurie O’Brien said.

Born in New York City, Stratton became known to California audiences for his hallmark line, “I call ’em as I see ’em,” during a 17-year tenure spanning the 1960s on KNXT-TV, which later became KCBS, and on KNX-AM.

He was also the announcer for the Rams and hosted horse racing from Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar.

Stratton started his career as an actor, appearing on Broadway and in the film “Girl Crazy,” in which he sang a duet with Judy Garland and acted alongside Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor. He also appeared in “Stalag 17” with William Holden, “The Wild One” with Marlon Brando and “Monkey Business” with Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers.