The Grim Reapers in the on deck circle...

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Debated putting this thread here or in P&G. I opted for here, because I do want to hear real opinions. This is obviously a "fun" thread (that's morbid...), so dont be afraid to fuck off here, either.

Morbid Question - Which media members death will impact you the most?

Obviously not sure how we'll react in certain situations, but I have a few.

Bob Ryan. Hes the genesis of this idea for me. For the last 20 years it felt like he was ancient, so I've thought about losing him somewhat frequently. Hes such a wealth of knowledge, and losing that just makes me sad.

Jackie Mac - same. Just as knowledgeable as Ryan, but seems like such an awesome person to boot. Ryan seems like someone I could argue sports with over a beer, but Jackie seems like someone I'd like to discuss sports with for my entire life.

Bill Simmons - hes older than me, but hes the first media "star" that I've watched grow from the beginning. From AOL to now, the idea of his death highlights my own mortality and is depressing.

Your turn! Have fun with such a pleasant thread!!

 

[Vinho Tinto]

Bob Lobel: Living around Springfield, I didn’t get WBZ until 1987. Instantly loved his sports segments on the news. Would watch Sports Final on the weekends. I know he’s got some pretty severe health issues, so he’s been out of the public eye for a long time; but I will still be sad thinking that a guy I enjoyed on tv has passed.

Mike & the Mad Dog: My parents home could get WFAN once they moved to the strong signal. The first time I heard their show, they were taking about what a great month Kevin Maas was having for the Yankees. That was my intro to sports radio. I didn’t know that I was listening to the show that would be the best in that format. I miss their show and am not looking forward to the realization they can never get together again.

 

[Mooch]

John Madden.

I know he's out of the public eye these days but out of any national broadcaster, his voice is the soundtrack to a significant part of my sports-watching life from childhood through parenthood. Add in Madden football for a generation of videogames and yeah, Madden's death would hit me pretty hard.

 

[amRadio]

Peter Gammons is going to sting.

 

[luckiestman]

Norm was the worst celebrity death for me. After that and more to your question, Simmons then Klosterman partially because it would be shocking. I won’t talk about anyone younger like Kimes, Russillo, or even someone like Jane Coaston who is in media but is active about sports on Twitter.

So, to better answer your question: Al Michaels, Bob Ryan, and Madden (good call above)

 

[John Marzano Olympic Hero]

For me, it's Gammons and Ryan. Always linked together because they started at the Globe on the same day, how bizarre would it be if they both died on the same day too? It'd be like sports media equivilent of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Gammons was so important to me growing up with his baseball notes page and just elevating baseball literacy to an art form. And the same with Bob Ryan and hoops--actually Bob Ryan and all sports. It would suck to lose either one, both men who still love baseball and basketball, but still have a zeal for sports in general. They haven't lost that wonder of the game and consequently you don't read a lot of "get off my lawn, things were better in my day!" bullshit from either of those two guys.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Gammons, for the reasons JMOH cited and more. Anyone from New England who went into sportswriting in the late 70s on knew that Gammons and Ryan were the north stars. And while it's impossible not to admire Ryan, reading Gammons felt like the British Invasion shattering the music landscape. It just changed what sportswriting could be. And if you haven't read "Beyond the Sixth Game," you've missed something.

The last time a sports media death hurt was Ned Martin.

 

[BernieRicoBoomer]

For me, it's Gammons and Ryan. Always linked together because they started at the Globe on the same day, how bizarre would it be if they both died on the same day too? It'd be like sports media equivilent of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

I thought the same thing as soon as you mentioned the idea of them dying on the same day. It might need to be on opening day or something to be fully equivalent though (to 4th of July).

 

[Humphrey]

I'd have to throw Castig in there. He's been around almost 40 years, that's a lot of triumph and tragedy he's painted a picture of.

I do have a personal recollection of Ryan. I was the PA announcer for my high school football team; they were pretty good in 1969 and Ryan, as a Globe near-rookie who I had never heard of; got assigned to cover a couple games. Got to talk to him a lot in the press box, more about BC and college hoop than the Celts (which he hadn't covered yet).

I also got to talk to Gammons at a high school basketball game. He got sent to a tournament game (1974 or 1975, before the 75 Series for sure) to write a story about Jammin' James Bailey (Xaverian/Rutgers/NBA). Bailey didn't play because he missed practice. Gammons stayed and watched the game, which kind of surprised me. I guess in those days the writers didn't head south concurrent w/pitchers and catchers reporting.

 

[JCizzle]

Tommy really, really stung. He and Gorman are the Celtics to me. With Tommy gone, Gorman and Remy are tops for me and I hope they live forever.

 

[Just a bit outside]

I'd have to throw Castig in there. He's been around almost 40 years, that's a lot of triumph and tragedy he's painted a picture of.

That would be my vote. I grew up with the writers but Joe C. has been the voice of the Red Sox since I was a teenager falling asleep to west coast games to the last 20 years as my kids have grown up and I have listened to games in the car driving them to all of their activities. I live in Colorado now so I probably listen to 120 or so games of year as I drive, cook, or hike.

 

[runnels3]

The last time a sports media death hurt was Ned Martin.

I was crushed. Just met him for the first time the night before he died. We had been corresponding by mail and
he remembered that he owed me a letter. It had been 6 months. I couldn't believe he recognized my name.

 

[Kliq]

Discounting all names that would be dying young, which would obviously be completely shocking, I would say Bob Ryan. Ryan just has tremendous knowledge and recall of nearly the complete history of the NBA, in a way that nobody else has. He is still really sharp and his podcast with Simmons yesterday on the NBA 75 was tremendous, I can't think of two better people to talk about the list and I wish it went on for ten hours.

If Dave Meltzer dies it would be completely devastating to pro wrestling.

 

[Ale Xander]

Anyone young (under 40?) and not “on deck”

Mina
Jeff D
Molly M

etc

Of the middle age, probably Tom R
Of the 60-70, probably Jackie Mac
Of the old folks, probably Gorman or G Thorne

Fake edit: beaten by Kliq

 

[bankshot1]

For me it would probably be Bob Ryan, who's helped shape my understanding of basketball, when it was a game not as televised or covered as it is today. He was the rational and mostly objective balance to Johny Most. Ryan's institutional knowledge and grasp of the game and his ability to communicate it remains, IMO remains almost singular. Listening to him with Simmons for extended periods talk old school hoops is a joy.

Coming in a close second is Gammons. He, at the top of his game, like Ryan revolutioned the way baseball was reported. I met him once in the early 70s, he was giving a lecture on baseball at BC and he took questions afterwards and he was just the nicest guy. I was lucky enough to attend G1 2004 WS in killer seats, and after the game Pete walked past me to get on to the field to conduct post game interviews and he was almost glowing with joy.

As an aside, I fear we do have a guy in the on deck circle, but I hope I'm wrong.
Get well Jerry.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Tucker Carlson.

You didn't say it had to be a negative impact.

As for sports. I don't know. It would have to be unexpected and someone younger.

edit: Joe Rogan. Again, doesn't have to be a negative impact. F Joe Rogan.

 

[Wallball Tingle]

Remy will make me really sad when that happens. Well, presuming I outlive him. Odds seem good but ya never know. It's not that he's a fantastic broadcaster to me, but he does seem to genuinely like the game most of the time, and he's been a pleasant companion for a couple decades now.

I just looked it up and Remy is only like 2 years older than Eck. Eck just seems so alive by comparison, but sometimes death comes fast and multiple bouts with cancer will make you look old.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Remy will make me really sad when that happens. Well, presuming I outlive him. Odds seem good but ya never know. It's not that he's a fantastic broadcaster to me, but he does seem to genuinely like the game most of the time, and he's been a pleasant companion for a couple decades now.

I just looked it up and Remy is only like 2 years older than Eck. Eck just seems so alive by comparison, but sometimes death comes fast and multiple bouts with cancer will make you look old.

The family drama didn't help either.

 

[moretsyndrome]

I hope I'm wrong, but there just seems to be a different tone to the way Remy's latest setback has been discussed on NESN and elsewhere that gives me a feeling of dread about the whole situation. Maybe it's a sense I think I've gained because I have too much personal experience, or just that the odds eventually catch up to everyone, but while every prognosis of cancer or returning cancer is serious, some are obviously more serious and definitive than others.

I don't hear the expectation that he'll be back in anyone's voice, which sucks.

 

[54thMA]

Jackie Mac for me, she was in my high school graduating class, so her passing away is going to be cold dose of reality for me.

Whenever I see her, we talk about everything other than sports.

Just a wonderful person with a good soul.

 

[JimD]

Gammo and Ryan would be 1A and 1B. Both giants in their field and in Boston sports history, and both journalists who exude such a love of sports in a way that connects with their readers and viewers. For those of us of a certain age, seeing them plus Jackie Mac, Will McDonough and others who we grew up reading in the Globe achieve national prominence and success was just an unbelievable treat.

And yes, Castig is number 1 on the broadcasting edition of this list.

 

[mauidano]

Saw Bob Ryan the other day on ESPN "Around The Horn". Was taken aback by how much he has aged recently. Did not look well.

Remy will make me sad.

No one gets out of here alive. For most of those mentioned above; to be able to have an impact on those you don't know and their lives is still a beautiful thing.

 

[Quiddity]

It would be Joe Castiglione for me. While the guy with him has varied over the years, he's been the voice of the Red Sox for my entire life.

 

[GB5]

Will McDonough gutted me. Got to know him personally, and was a great storyteller.

 

[luckiestman]

Tommy really, really stung. He and Gorman are the Celtics to me. With Tommy gone, Gorman and Remy are tops for me and I hope they live forever.

Oh yeah, I should have also put Gorman

 

[jaytftwofive]

I was crushed. Just met him for the first time the night before he died. We had been corresponding by mail and
he remembered that he owed me a letter. It had been 6 months. I couldn't believe he recognized my name.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ned at a Restaurant/Bar in Winter Haven March of 87. Al Nipper was there also, he just kind of nodded. We talked about how I remembered him from childhood etc. and the awful ending of game 6. I told him now I lived in the Philly area. He told me he was from Wayne Pa. originally, suburb of Philly and that a famous pool in the area is named after his family. Martins Dam Pool. It was a great memory of going to Spring Training. I'm glad he took the time to talk to me. Many broadcasters aren't as friendly as he was.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Gammons for me. A pioneer and at the height of his powers he was the must read for all things MLB.

 

[dirtynine]

Castinglione. His voice is so entwined with my fanship, it’s impossible to separate. As a kid pulling in a scratchy WTIC signal (remember the “secret player of the game” chime?), Castiglione and Coleman are engraved on my psyche. Joe’s voice is the equivalent of being in Fenway to me.

 

[The Filthy One]

When Bill Raftery dies, I'll be a wreck. They better carry his casket down the streets of Orange, NJ, Soy Cuba-style.

 

[ifmanis5]

When Bill Raftery dies, I'll be a wreck. They better carry his casket down the streets of Orange, NJ, Soy Cuba-style.

And a big crowd shouting "Mmmmmmmmmmman-to-man!" and "Onions!"

 

[The Filthy One]

And a big crowd shouting "Mmmmmmmmmmman-to-man!" and "Onions!"

There's just so much warmth and love in the way he calls a game. He does a great job of reminding you that these are kids who are playing. And his asides are incredible. In last year's final four, I remember him saying about Joel Ayayi (who is from Bourdeaux) "I love seeing his hometown on a menu." One year, I don't remember which one, he was calling a game with Grant Hill, and said "That possession was like our waiter last night, Grant - a little too much STANDINGAROUND!"

 

[Plantiers Wart]

And a big crowd shouting "Mmmmmmmmmmman-to-man!" and "Onions!"

This Kissssssss

 

[bernardsamuel]

Mike Gorman's passing, if before my own, would freak me out, as we both were in the 1965 graduating class of Boston Latin School (once upon a time, the vast majority of obituaries that I would read pertained to people older than I). We were never in the same cohort (there were four academic streams then - advanced math/sciences, languages, and I've forgotten the other two), so I never have met him, unfortunately. But his passing would be too close to home for me.

I'd also include Hawk Harrelson in my list, as I remember him more from his contributions to the Sox in The Impossible Dream year than from all his years associated with the White Sox.

Though not strictly relevant to the question posed to us, thanks to the imposition of some aspect of the aging process, I had to search whether Bob Murphy had passed, as I recall Gowdy and Murphy as the Red Sox broadcast team when I was a little boy. And so, I "re-grieved" for a few moments before signing off on this post.

 

[LogansDad]

This morning answered the question this thread posed for me. Fuck.

 

[bankshot1]

RIP Jerry

 

[mikeford]

If Dave Meltzer dies it would be completely devastating to pro wrestling.

Came here to post this. With all due respect to Wade Keller and anyone else in the wrestling journalism field, there is NO replacement in the world for Dave Meltzer. His institutional knowledge AND his willingness to learn and adapt will not be able to be replicated.

 

[Patriot_Reign]

Not media, but when Clint Eastwood goes I will be absolutely gutted.

As an aside, and this isn't in any way rooting for anyone to die, but if we were placing wagers and someone told me that Neumie and Remy would be outlived by Bob Lobel I would've bet the house.

rip Remdawg

 

[jaytftwofive]

Mike Gorman's passing, if before my own, would freak me out, as we both were in the 1965 graduating class of Boston Latin School (once upon a time, the vast majority of obituaries that I would read pertained to people older than I). We were never in the same cohort (there were four academic streams then - advanced math/sciences, languages, and I've forgotten the other two), so I never have met him, unfortunately. But his passing would be too close to home for me.

I'd also include Hawk Harrelson in my list, as I remember him more from his contributions to the Sox in The Impossible Dream year than from all his years associated with the White Sox.

Though not strictly relevant to the question posed to us, thanks to the imposition of some aspect of the aging process, I had to search whether Bob Murphy had passed, as I recall Gowdy and Murphy as the Red Sox broadcast team when I was a little boy. And so, I "re-grieved" for a few moments before signing off on this post.

Hawk wasn't picked up by the Red Sox until August 28th in 67. I don't think he started every game in the WS also. 68 of course was his big year for us. Then the next year he was traded on April 19th. My Dad and I were at the game the next day against the Indians, and a huge chant broke out....."Don't trade the Hawk" It was quite loud particularly in our section.

 

[terrynever]

Not media, but when Clint Eastwood goes I will be absolutely gutted.

As an aside, and this isn't in any way rooting for anyone to die, but if we were placing wagers and someone told me that Neumie and Remy would be outlived by Bob Lobel I would've bet the house.

rip Remdawg

Broadcasting 175 games annually is not an easy lifestyle, especially for an older person when the game is over and you try to find a restaurant serving food at 1 a.m. I don’t know how Remy could even get to sleep by 5 a.m, after a long night game on the road, perhaps on the coast.

 

[Patriot_Reign]

Broadcasting 175 games annually is not an easy lifestyle, especially for an older person when the game is over and you try to find a restaurant serving food at 1 a.m. I don’t know how Remy could even get to sleep by 5 a.m, after a long night game on the road, perhaps on the coast.

I remember hearing years ago that Remy had a similar characteristic to Dennis Drinkwater in that "Drinks" has long had a bit of fame for holding seats right behind home plate where he is obviously very visible, and famously bolts out of his seat to get home the very second the game has concluded.

For away games I think (guess) that the announcers travel with the team on their flights, does that extend to travel to/ from the hotel? Would kind of suck to have to hang around the ballpark every night while the players showered and hit the post game buffet before getting on the bus.

 

[terrynever]

I remember hearing years ago that Remy had a similar characteristic to Dennis Drinkwater in that "Drinks" has long had a bit of fame for holding seats right behind home plate where he is obviously very visible, and famously bolts out of his seat to get home the very second the game has concluded.

For away games I think (guess) that the announcers travel with the team on their flights, does that extend to travel to/ from the hotel? Would kind of suck to have to hang around the ballpark every night while the players showered and hit the post game buffet before getting on the bus.

Announcers employed by the home team have all travel arrangements made for them, to the hotel, back to airport. They find plenty of free food in the team hotel and at the park.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Norm was the worst celebrity death for me. After that and more to your question, Simmons then Klosterman partially because it would be shocking. I won’t talk about anyone younger like Kimes, Russillo, or even someone like Jane Coaston who is in media but is active about sports on Twitter.

So, to better answer your question: Al Michaels, Bob Ryan, and Madden (good call above)

Coaston is easily one of the five or six best Twitter follows for sports, and she's not even a sportswriter. Just awesome.

 

[SumnerH]

Jackie Mac for me,

Me too. 20 years ago it would've been Gammo, but I've had time to see him age and brace myself for his inevitable departure. Jackie's not young, but a sudden death would still be a shocker. And she's been on the right side of history most of the time.

 

[Mooch]

John Madden.

I know he's out of the public eye these days but out of any national broadcaster, his voice is the soundtrack to a significant part of my sports-watching life from childhood through parenthood. Add in Madden football for a generation of videogames and yeah, Madden's death would hit me pretty hard.

Fuck. RIP.

 

[Humphrey]

When Bill Raftery dies, I'll be a wreck. They better carry his casket down the streets of Orange, NJ, Soy Cuba-style.

I love Raftery and felt the same way about Al McGuire, at least the Al McGuire who was on NBC with Enberg before that network lost the NCAA contract to CBS.

https://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/al-mcguire-quotes/