The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / How Do You Tell A Veteran Play-By-Play Man It's Time To Retire?

**Posted by RadioActive** March 7, 2024 10:38 am

It's an intriguing question, posed in an article on the Barrett Sports Media site. The voice of a professional sports team often becomes a beloved institution for the audience, who've come to associate their work with the success and support of a franchise.

But what happens when that long time announcer simply isn't up to the job anymore, but either refuses to acknowledge that or doesn't realize it?

The story is written by one of them - currently the voice of the Chicago Cubs. Do they know when to hang 'em up? And what happens when they're forced out, even if they think it's way too soon?

Broadcasting Can Be a Cold Business for Legendary Voices

**Posted by BowmanvilleBob** March 7, 2024 11:04 am

One of the more fascinating stories in Canadian hockey history involves Foster Hewitt and his son Bill. Scott Young's biography of Hewitt mentions Bill's health problems as the reason he quit broadcasting in 1981, but according to this blog, the man literally had a nervous breakdown on the air during a live game. The man who stepped in to replace him on a full-time basis became a broadcasting legend in his own right - Bob Cole.

The story behind Bill Hewitt's last game at Maple Leaf Gardens

**Posted by Tomas Barlow** March 7, 2024 4:58 pm

BowmanvilleBob wrote:
One of the more fascinating stories in Canadian hockey history involves Foster Hewitt and his son Bill. Scott Young's biography of Hewitt mentions Bill's health problems as the reason he quit broadcasting in 1981, but according to this blog, the man literally had a nervous breakdown on the air during a live game. The man who stepped in to replace him on a full-time basis became a broadcasting legend in his own right - Bob Cole.

The story behind Bill Hewitt's last game at Maple Leaf Gardens

Interestingly, Rogers had to remove Bob Cole after he implied that he would keep going indefinitely despite his increasingly nonsensical play by play.

A lot of people have been calling for the removal of New York Yankees radio play by play man John Sterling who has developed a habit of turning routine fly ball outs into home runs in recent seasons.

**Posted by Binson Echorec** March 7, 2024 5:23 pm

Damnit, I was expecting a punchline...

**Posted by RadioActive** April 15, 2024 5:43 pm

The timing is interesting - on the very day the Yankees are playing their first regular season game in Toronto, they'll be without at least one of their long time veterans. John Sterling, the play-by-play voice of the Bronx Bombers for two decades has officially announced his retirement. He's earned it - he's now 85 years old.

John Sterling retires from Yankees broadcast booth at age 85

**Posted by RadioActive** September 5, 2024 3:01 pm

RadioActive wrote:
The timing is interesting - on the very day the Yankees are playing their first regular season game in Toronto, they'll be without at least one of their long time veterans. John Sterling, the play-by-play voice of the Bronx Bombers for two decades has officially announced his retirement. He's earned it - he's now 85 years old.

John Sterling retires from Yankees broadcast booth at age 85

Well, not entirely retired, it seems.

John Sterling to return to Yanks radio booth for postseason

**Posted by Binson Echorec** September 5, 2024 4:55 pm

BowmanvilleBob wrote:
One of the more fascinating stories in Canadian hockey history involves Foster Hewitt and his son Bill. Scott Young's biography of Hewitt mentions Bill's health problems as the reason he quit broadcasting in 1981, but according to this blog, the man literally had a nervous breakdown on the air during a live game. The man who stepped in to replace him on a full-time basis became a broadcasting legend in his own right - Bob Cole.

The story behind Bill Hewitt's last game at Maple Leaf Gardens

Fascinating read, thanks!

Does anybody know if this has been explored?

The quote below got my "wondering" mind flowing.

MORLEY KELLS, CREATIVE DIRECTOR:
"Foster Hewitt had something on Conn Smythe that you wouldn’t believe. There was nothing that was ever going to happen to Foster, I tell you that."

Seems ol' Foster was a shrewd dude.

Last edited by Binson Echorec (September 5, 2024 4:55 pm)

**Posted by RadioActive** November 15, 2024 11:00 am

Just to finish this story, John Sterling has officially been replaced by Dave Sims, a broadcaster who did Mariners' play-by-play for almost two decades.

But what a strange irony. Sims, who is replacing an 85-year-old veteran broadcaster, is himself no spring chicken. He's 71 years old.

Love the Yankees or hate them, it's unquestionably one of the most prestigious positions in all of sports. He begins calling games on WFAN next season, the same station where he used to co-host a sports talk show in years past.

Dave Sims replacing John Sterling as Yankees radio play-by-play broadcaster

**Posted by Walter** November 15, 2024 12:09 pm

The world would be a better place without 'Holy Mackinaw!'

**Posted by newsguy1** November 15, 2024 1:05 pm

A little late for Remembrance Day, but this was the last straw for 85-year-old Don Cherry who for years had disparaged anyone who was something "other" like the French.
But when in a senile rant he singled out immigrants (likely of the non-white variety) for not wearing a poppy (how could he tell they were immigrants, I wonder?)
Cherry's last rant included:
"You people ... that come here, whatever it is -- you love our way of life. You love our milk and honey. At least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada. These guys paid the biggest price for that."

**Posted by Stefanie** November 15, 2024 4:20 pm

Don Cherry is it true Canadian and loves how our military has safeguarded this country for years. He has thousands and thousands of followers on his podcast and he's loved by millions.

Last edited by Stefanie (November 15, 2024 4:21 pm)