Broadcaster Hearn dead at age of 85

[Weird Harold]

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5 — Chick Hearn, who made phrases like “slam dunk” and “air ball” common basketball expressions during his 42-year broadcasting career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died Monday night. He was 85.
...
Chick Hearn was the only play-by-play announcer the Lakers had since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles for the 1960-61 season.


The whole story at:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/789525.asp?pne=11947&0ct=-300&cp1=1
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RIP Chick!

Some of my fondest memories were listening to Lakers Radio broadcasts as a teenager, and some of my most recent meories are of falling asleep with A Lakers game on the radio for background noise. Chick Hearn is a part of both those memories -- I;m going to miss him and his unique voice.

 

[Guru]

There's a "Hern" in my town that I wish would die...

 

[SkyBluAngelEyes]

Chick was a master of his profession. Classy guy he was.

 

[Weird Harold]

...

Tacky, tasteless, and completely unappreciated, Guru. Not what I'd expect from you.

 

[clairepenn]

I've been grieving for the past several days. Very strange to feel such immense loss over someone I met only once, though many other fans seem to be in the same boat with me.

I moved to L.A. in 1994, and didn't pay attention to the Lakers until my fiance told me about Chick, and suggested I give him a listen. I did, and I was hooked. I treasure the Laker Yearbook that Chick autographed for me during a public appearance a couple of years ago.

It saddens me that I got to enjoy Chick's broadcasts for only three years or so. I wish I could have enjoyed them longer. Those of you who never had the opportunity to hear Chick call a game, you missed out on something very special.

Thanks for all the joy your broadcasts brought to your legions of fans, Chick. The mortal world's loss is the spirit world's gain.

RIP
Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn
November 27, 1916 (?) ~~ August 5, 2002