Former Atlanta Braves broadcaster Ernie Johnson Sr., who was heard on WSB for decades, has died at the age of 87.

Mr. Johnson died Friday night. He played with the Boston and Milwaukee Braves before becoming the voice of the Braves on WSB Radio and TBS.

Braves general manager John Schuerholz said, "the Braves family has suffered a great loss today."

"Ernie was the heart and soul of the Braves for so long, first as a player and then as the voice of the team in the broadcast booth," Schuerholz said. "Our hearts are heavy today and we will miss him dearly."

The Braves will wear a commemorative patch on their uniforms the remainder of the season.

No details of the cause of death were immediately available. He died Friday night in hospice care with his wife by his side. Johnson and his wife, Lois, were married for 63 years. He is the father of broadcaster Ernie Johnson Jr.

Johnson, also a former Braves public relations director, joined the broadcast team in 1962 and took over play-by-play duties in 1966, when the team moved to Atlanta. His gentle delivery was a good fit for his Southern listeners.

Johnson's final full season was in 1999. He was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2001.