Remembering Chick

The following expressions were extracted from an earlier Clublakers message forum. The forum is no longer with us, but our memories of Chick will always remain. These do not appear in any particular order, but were all written within hours of Chick’s passing:

Clublakers Staff
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The golden Mike is forever silenced. But, his legacy still lives on.

As part of the staff of ClubLakers.com aka The Gamemaster. I have been a Laker fan for more than 30 years. I remember listening to the old AM/FM radio live broadcasts of Laker games and Chicky baby doing play by play.

It’s a sad day, not only for Laker fans and for people who live in L.A. But for broadcasting in general. And the game of basketball. What a pioneer he was. His Chickisms are used from High school, college, NBA and world teams across the planet. He would never leave the game of basketball. Just as basketball will always remember him.

In the 1970’s he did a tv gameshow on channel 5 KTLA. “Bowling for Dollars” I watched it every week. I guess I couldn’t get enough Chick even in the off season. He will always be admired, respected and loved as part the L.A. Laker family.
Come the 2002 -2003 season we will never hear, “the referigator door is closed, the lights are out, the eggs are coolin’, the butters getting hard, and the jello is jiggin’ .

Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the Lakers front office and Staples put up a memorial statue of Chick Hearn at the front entrance. That’s the least we can do to honor him.

Well old friend, heaven has a hold of you now.

Goodbye, farewell and amen.

Scrub Boy
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This is one of the hardest nights of my life. Ever since I was 8 the only thing that had me cheering for the fall during the summer was the Lakers and the funny guy who talked for them in some funny way. In Junior High, when we use to play ball at lunch we use to copy Chick’s terms, like “air ball”, or the mustards off the hot dog. In high school, I have very fond memories of comming home from school on a friday and playing ball for 4-5 hours and finally chillin in front of the TV with a couple friends and my dad stuffing down pizza and watching a Laker game. Laughing and having a good time listening to chick n’ Stu was all that was important in those good old days.

I’ll never forget April 1, 1994. The game was about to start and there were Chik and Stu with some urgent Laker news. They were saying that the Lakers had just signed two super stars in hopes of making the playoffs (yes the playoffs). Then the screen cut to their profiles and the players were…
“Slick” Chick Hearn and “Sweet” Stu Lantz. I spit out my sandawich, knocked over the 2 ltr coke bottle and fell on the floor laughing. That was by far the best April fools day of my life.

Another great one was when The Lakers were playing the Celtics, in I believe, the same year. The Lakers were down by 2 with 3 seconds left. Vlade threw the ball to Nick “the quick” Van Excel and he spun around and just threw the ball at the basket. Chick said “Van Excel, throws up a prayer….OHHHHHHHHHHH. that lucky son of a gun banked it in!!!!”

Or when Kobe was throwing up air ball after air ball in overtime against Utah in his rookie year, Chick said “Kobe…. another air ball!! and WHAT in the world is going on!!!” Reffering to Dell Harris for not taking kobe out after already air balling 2 threes.

How bout….”Shaq to Kobe and back to Shaq……SLAAAAM DUNK!”

But my fondest memory has to be the 2000 championship. Kobe jumps into Shaq arms and Chick says, with the most overjoyed voice…..”AND THE LAKERS ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!” He said it just the way I felt it. I’m 23 and most of my momories come from the 90’s Lakers. The team that went from Van Excel, and Vlade to the Lakeshow with Van, Vlade, Jones, and Ceballos. The teams that just didn’t have enough. Year after year of losing, not making the playoffs, loosing to the Jazz three years straight. It’s like Chick had been experiencing all the heart ache year in and year out with me, and exactly like me. I remember the season when the Lakers didn’t make the playoffs….Chicks exact words as the last game of the season came to an end….”Don’t give up on these Lakers just yet folks, their young and with a couple signings in the offseason they’ll be right on track for the playoffs next season.” It’s like he knew what was going on in my head, and millions of other peoples heads, and he knew what words to say to make us all feel better.

That’s what I loved most about Mr. Chick Hearn. No matter what was going on in my life…..whether I was depressed about school, work, or some girl that dumped me…..I could always depend on turning on the TV at 7:30pm for home games and hearing the same old cheerfull guy cracking wise guy jokes about the Lakers, whomever it was wearing purple and gold. He was a constant in a world of instability…..

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you Chick. Thanks for always being there and making it seem alright, even if it wasn’t. The Lakers, and my life will not be the same without you. You will be missed dearly. You have always been the kind grandfather I have never had. God bless your wife, Marge, and your entire family. Good night Chick and…….farewell.

LakerPride
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I thought about this day a few years ago, then again a few months ago. I Still wasn’t ready.
And even though Chick is gone, I will still be shocked when I tune in to the Lakers games and not hear his voice.

I can only wonder about some of the canned commercials that he’s done over the years. Are they going to continue to use them?

Chick has done more for the sport of basketball than MJ, Magic, Kareem, West & Wilt Combined.

How many thousands of times have you been on the court, listening to some guy (maybe yourself) self announce his moves to the hole, using Chickisms to describe his moves?

I heard on TV last nite that Riley would have the Lakers watch a lot of tapes, and it included Chick’s announcing (always wondered about that) telling it like it is.

I’m just truly glad that I’ve been a Chick fan for such a long time, simulcast, or forced simulcast.
One of the best days I spent with Chick was when I was trying to get home to Northridge from Beverly Hills. The traffic ws so bad that it took the ENTIRE game to get home. I would’ve went bonkers if it wasn’t for the fact that I was watching the game on radio. Yes I said watching on radio. You didn’t need a TV to see a game that Chick announced.
Southerland is O.K., but sometimes he gets so into the game that he’s too busy going “ooh” and “wow, did you see that?” and not explainin what we missed.

One last thing: Timing. Every time I asked no one in particular about a certain stat, there Chick was with the answer. Be it the score, some player’s average at whatever, how much time left, Chick was right there with just what we needed when we needed it. I holler at the set these days “What’s the SCORE??” How many fouls?”

Boy am I gonna miss him.

Slayer Alstarx
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Seeing is how I have a free moment, I want to share one of my Chick stories. About 5 or 6 years back I attended a first round playoff game at the Great Western Forum. The opponent was the Blazers by the way. Anyway I’m grabbing a bag of popcorn at on these vendors when who should walk by but good old Chick. He was heading to his booth I suppose for the pregame show or whatever. I said “Hey Chick” and he Replied ” Hi there how ya doin’?” Then he proceeded to stop what he was doing and come over and have a conversation with me. I don’t really recall what we were discussing, I think he said something like” what do you think of the Lakers this year?” or something like that. But him coming over to talk to me (a complete stranger) really made my day. And that was just the kind of person Chick was. A kind, decent individual and as I said before my hero

Danny Ainge
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One memory I have of Chick was during the ‘00 playoffs. He was talking to Stu about how, if we won the championship, he would be able to say to the audience listening that they were at the home of the world champion los angeles lakers. That is when the realization came to me about his dedication to the team, his love for the organization, and his skills as a broadcaster. He also got me very interested in more than just who was scoring and who was getting fouls. He showed me how to watch a game with knowledge and expectation. He also, the next year after we won, was so enthusiastic about emphasizing the fact that the Lakers were once again the champions. I loved his distinct flair for performance, his responsible demeanor, his integrity and objective calling it truly “like it is” So many home announcers I have heard on other FSN networks bleed the team bias through so obviously. Why don’t they just start cheering for the team (I have actually heard that before) but they should remember that Chick never sugar coated or lied about the Lakers. If kobe or Shaq got away with a travel, he said it every time. If we lost a game because of lack of effort, he said so. If we won a game because the other team screwed up or the refs made a mistake, he would say flat out “we didn’t deserve to win this game” When I first listened to him (’96-’97) I used to get angry because I thought he was bashing the team. After a while, I realized that he was just as quick to compliment our team as point out when we were playing poorly. That is what every broadcaster should strive to become. Let us not just share in his legacy, let it stand for something, let it accomplish something. And a championship in his memory would be nice too…

Snakell Beast
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To the doctors, nurses and Supreme Beings above:

Please take care of Chick Hearn. He means so much to all of us and deserves much, much better than this. To fans of the Lakers and of basketball in general, please remember to say a prayer for Chick. With all of our support and love, he’ll come out of this ok.

Chick’s a fighter. He’s not ready to close the refrigerator door yet!! We love you, Chick!!

coop-a-loop21
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My thoughts and Prayers are with Chick, his family, and the entire Lakers organization.

It is a very sad day for me.

Thanks for giving us a great wallpaper to pay tribute to Chickie on our screens.

Laker Jim
www.fletchwon.net

Laker Jim
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My prayers go out to the Hearn family, as well as the Laker Family.

I remember the first time I got interested in the Lakers “Jerry West 85 footer…..Good!!”
I was hooked. The Lakers eventually lost that game in overtime, but boy was I excited! Chick became my eyes as I listened on a portable transistor radio that my brother had tuned in.
I remember trying to watch the games on channel 4 (boring announcers….)we would put the radio in the other room, turn the volume down on the TV, turn the radio WAY UP, and it was on.
I remember much later that during the Magic/Kareem days, someone made a mix with Chick announcing his lines. If anybody knows what I’m talking about, get it out, and get it going.

Basketball will never be the same without Chick, but it never would be what it is without Chick.
Get well buddy, spend some time with Marge, you’ve earned it, and she deserves it.

Alstarx2
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This day to me is as sad as Nov. 7, 1991. An end of an era. I always dreaded the day that Chick would no longer be the voice of the Lakers. I live in DC and people in LA don’t know how lucky we’ve had it growing up with such a distinct personality. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

LakerFaninExile
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Im saying a prayer for Chick:

Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,thy will be done,on earth as it is
in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who tresspass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil. Amen

For the power and the glory are yours, now and forever.

God Bless you Francis Hearn

Im writing this on a Monday afternoon. Ive heard Chicks condition is ” grave “. Im not sure he is going to make it.

Listening to the Lakers will never be the same.

I pray Chick knew Jesus as his personal saviour, and
that Heaven is holding a spot for him.

I hope he meets Wilt, Keith, and Happy up there.

Goodbye Mr Hearn

We are poorer for having lost you, but richer for having known you

Dude_in_lv
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ive been a laker fan ever since when, and from the time i became a laker fan chick hearn was there broadcasting every game. The moment i heard he past away i started weeping… and i thought that the last time we heard him was at the lakers championship parade……. i knew that was the last time we would hear “this game is in the fridge…….and the jello’s jigglin… right now my thoughts are with his family.. i will continue to pray for him and his family. this is a time of mourning for laker fans.

I, we, will miss u chick, u will always b the voice of the lakers

Guest
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Good Morning All….

It is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to the Hearn family and all of you Chick Hearn fans. The world has lost one of the truly great voices it had.

I also send my thought out to the staff of clublakers.com. There is no one I know who is more of a fan of the Lakers, the game and of course, of Chick himself.

Chick Hearn you will be missed……..

Catch22
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Chick is a huge part of The Los Angeles Lakers. He made Showtime what it is and for what it will always be…The Greatest Show on Earth! Thank you Chick for the memories…my heart is sadden.
But, every Laker fan knows that Chick wants another CHAMPIONSHIP! Fourpeat is sweet!

Here’s to Chicky-baby

Showtime
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My thought go out to the Hearn family. It won’t be the same not hearing Chicks voice. He will deeply be missed by all. You will always be missed

“Chickfan8

I will always remember and miss my old friend that I grew up with being a Laker Fan for 37 years.

We met on March 14th 1989 at the Playoff Sweep of the sonics and talked for a half hour before the Game……got a personal autograph and he let me touch that Title Ring he wore on his right hand!

I got to sit behind Chick-N-Stu during the Game and then met the team and Pat Riley out at the bus after the Game…….and said goodbye to Chick as he got on the bus……I will never forget that day!

Thank You Chick……..You were and will always be the BEST in Sports History…….I will see you again some day!

MAGIC
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Call it from heaven Chick!