Sad that there isn't more participation in here. I just spent some time watching through some clips of Chick, remembering. I strongly recommend Rick Fox and Jerry West's speeches from Chick's Memorial Service.
I posted on the LB Facebook page about this, but I didn't post in here. He would have been 98 this season.
Happy Birthday Chick! One of the greatest to ever do it. Your enthusiasm and creativity is missed BIG time
Every time I listen to our announcers, or others teams, I remember just how great Chick was at what he did. No one quite did it like he did, especially for a fast paced game like basketball, and turned it into a story for us. He was rarely biased, brutally honest even against the Lakers, and knowledgeable about the game. His "Chickisms" painted a picture for everyone listening and made the game feel more alive for those who couldn't be there or watch the game. "Yo-yoing up the court" "Hot dog's off the mustard!" I remember for national broadcast games, I would turn down the TV, and turn on the radio just to listen to him. I cringe listening to these player commentators today because they don't know how to color commentate. They comment more like a player and more biased towards their teams and it's just awful. He was a true artist at what he did. Unfortunately, with the growth of visual technology and color commentary a dying art because people don't quite listen to radio anymore, we probably won't hear another Chicky baby again.
Sorry to Jack or any fan here, but Chick was the best Laker fan ever... supported the team, but was the farthest thing from a homer. Called out poor play all the time and without an agenda! Was the best and nothing has or ever will come close! You are forever missed and I regret we couldn't hear more of ya, Chicky baby!
Just wanted to bump this for this Chick recording. 1971-72 was prolly 3-4 years before I really started following the Lakers, but this really brings back memories. That voice, his cadence, and mastery of basketball and the English language made it so easy to picture all the action on the court. Edit: looks like that vid couldn’t be embedded. Try this:
The game's in the refrigerator, the door's closed, the light's out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard and the Jell-O's jiggling. Anybody who doesn't think I want the Lakers to win is a fool. But I'm no homer. Throws Up a Prayer…It’s Answered!!! The Good Lord and Four Disciples Couldn’t Beat the Lakers Tonight. Listened to him for years, the best there ever was and if you didn't get to listen, I'm sorry for your loss. He was a genius at calling a game. You could listen to him with your eyes closed and see the game better than if it was on network TV with the typical announcers. He had as profound an influence on me as Jerry West, Magic or Kobe. He is up there with the very best.
I feel like I've lived four lifetimes. During the Chick Era in my life was my college years, I consider it my second lifetime. I used to watch the road Laker games at Seau's in Mission Valley, God rest his soul. Seau's had the best chicken teriyaki and rice dish ever made. Used to sit at the bar and watch KCAL road games and enjoy the atmosphere. San Diego was really alive in mission Valley, the central area of SD where Qualcomm was and where the cool malls and stores were. Chick was a big part of the enjoyment at that time. I'm happy before he passed, he made his last call, calling the Lakers the champs.
Always like to pay respects to Chick. Back in junior high I used to listen to the Lakers game on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. It barely came in. I trained my ears to pick out Chick through the static. Family thought I was nuts just listening to noise. One of a kind guy. The colder it got the better the game came in.He sure loved to close that refrigerator. Kind of a ramble post...lol
This game is in the refrigerator, doors closed, lights are out, butter is getting hard, and the jello is jigglin! Did I memorize that correctly? Miss you, Chick.
