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Retiring Broadcast Legend Charles Osgood Grew Up In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- He's a broadcast legend and spent part of his early years growing up right here in Baltimore.

Charles Osgood announced yesterday he's retiring as the host of "CBS Sunday Morning" effective September 25.

Osgood made the announcement himself, that after 22 years he will step down as host of the mega-popular CBS Sunday Morning.

He took over for Charles Kuralt in 1994. Since then, he's been our faithful Sunday morning friend.

"Some of you may have heard rumors lately that I won't be hosting the Sunday morning broadcast much longer," he said Sunday. "Well I'm here to tell you that the rumors are true."

"For years now, even friends and family have been asking me why I keep doing this considering my age. I am pushing 84. It's just that it's been such a joy doing it. Who wouldn't want to be the one who gets to introduce these terrific storytellers and the producers and writers and other who put this wonderful show together?"

Osgood grew up in the Liberty Heights section of Baltimore during World War II. He even wrote a book about it, "Defending Baltimore Against Enemy Attack."

His first job in journalism was as a paper boy for The Baltimore Sun. He says in his book that accuracy in journalism is important -- the paper has to hit the porch.

Though "the time has come" for him to leave CBS TV airwaves after 50 years, he will continue to host his radio show, "The Osgood File."

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