Chick Hearn

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Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn (November 27, 1916 - August 5, 2002) was an American sportscaster known primarily as the long-time play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Hearn is remembered for his rapid fire, staccato broadcasting style, inventing colorful phrases such as slam dunk, air ball, and no harm, no foul that have become common basketball vernacular, and for broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games starting on November 21, 1965. Hearn had missed the Lakers' game the previous night after having been stranded in Fayetteville, Arkansas by inclement weather after announcing a college football game there. It was only Hearn's second missed assignment for the Lakers since he had become the team's broadcaster in March of 1961. He would not miss another until the end of 2001.

Life

Hearn grew up in Aurora, Illinois near Chicago and attended high school at Marmion Academy and college at Bradley University. He earned the nickname "Chick" while an Amateur Athletic Union basketball player at Bradley, when teammates played a prank on him: giving him a shoebox stuffed with a dead chicken instead of the sneakers he expected.

Chick Hearn was married to Marge Hearn, who shared his passion for basketball and supported him to the utmost. They had two children together, both of which died at an early age: the son due to drug overdose and the daughter due to anorexia. The Hearn family was very close to their granddaughter, Sharon.

Before Francis Dayle attained his legacy as a legendary broadcaster, he was involved in a variety of occupations. Hearn tried his hand at various acting gigs, including a special appearance in the famous television show, Giligan's Island: Splashdown (1967). He also appeared on, "The Simpsons," "The Love Bug (1968)," "Fletch (1985)," "White Men Can't Jump (1992)," and "Love and Basketball (2000)." The most intriguing aspect is that Chick Hearn usually played his own character in most of his acting jobs.

On May 9, 1991, Hearn became the third broadcaster to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1995 he was voted to be the 20th member of the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame by his fellow sportscasters.

Hearn's streak of 3,338 consecutive Lakers games came to an end midway through the 2001-02 season when he underwent cardiac bypass surgery. Hearn recovered from his illness and resumed broadcasting that season, receiving a standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd upon his return. His final game was Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Finals where the Lakers defeated the New Jersey Nets to win their third consecutive NBA championship. During the summer, Hearn suffered a fall at his Encino, California home, and struck his head causing serious injury.

Three days later, on August 5, 2002, Chick Hearn died of his injury. He was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

In honor of his contributions to the Los Angeles Lakers, both the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles renamed a portion of West 11th Street between Figueroa Street and Georgia Street to Chick Hearn Court. This street currently runs alongside Staples Center's main entrance. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority further honored the broadcaster by changing the name of the nearby Blue Line station to Pico-Chick Hearn.

Death

The Iron Man of the National Basketball Association, also known as the "Golden Throat," was welcomed back to the announcer's box with a roaring cheer from the Staples Center crowd. Chick Hearn's streak of consecutive games had come to an end due to an operation in 2001 to clear a blocked aortic valve. During his recovery process, he suffered a setback when he broke his hip. On April 9, Hearn returned and led the Lakers to their third consecutive title. Hearn fell and hit his head Friday, August 2nd, 2002, and immediately fell into a coma. Surgeons operated twice to relieve the swelling in his brains, but he would never regain consciousness. He died on August 5th, 2002 at Northridge Medical Center Hospital. Fans gathered outside the hospital broke into tears when the news had arrived that the voice of the Los Angeles Lakers was gone. NBA great and former Lakers' General Manager Jerry West said, "The City of Los Angeles has lost an incredible icon. For all of the years he's been around as the voice of the Lakers, he helped capture so many special moments for fans everywhere."

Legacy

Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn was arguably the best sportscaster in the history of sports. "The Golden Throat" announced a record 3,338 consecutive games (1960-2002), and what is most impressive is the fact that in an era where television was rampant, Hearn's were simulcast: on radio and television. Covering Lakers basketball from Magic, Wilt, and Kareem, to the championship run of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, Chick Hearn has left his imprint all over the basketball world. In fact, Chick Hearn's "jersey" hangs on the rafters alongside Laker greats like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, James Worthy, and Elgin Baylor. An extremely rare feat for broadcasters, Chick was inducted into the Hall of Fame on May 9, 1991 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Even in Hollywood, Chick's legacy is immortal with a star dedicated to him on the Walk of Fame, alongside the two other announcers, Vin Scully (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Bob Miller (Los Angeles Kings). Laker fans hung on his every word and often, the Golden Throat's voice was in the background of sports movies. In honor of his contributions to the Los Angeles Lakers, both the Lakers and the city of Los Angeles renamed a portion of West 11th Street between Figueroa Street and Georgia Street to Chick Hearn Court. This street currently runs alongside Staples Center's main entrance. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority further honored the broadcaster by changing the name of the nearby Blue Line station to Pico-Chick Hearn. 'This one's in the refrigerator, the door's closed, the light's are out, the butter's getting hard, and the jello is jigglin'!'—Those words ring through the world and make Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn's legacy immortal.

Influence

Chick Hearn left his legacy not only on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, but also in the hearts of many fans, players, and organizations. His influence helped change the lives of many of these people.

There's never going to be another Chick Hearn. He's a man who will be remembered long after. Some people grow bigger than their sport, bigger than their job.—Earvin "Magic" Johnson

When I talked to Chick, a lot of times it was hardly about basketball. He was always so proud of me. I would get little notes from him. That would make me feel so good.—Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Generations of fans were brought to the NBA by the voice and vision of Chick Hearn. Chick was a fixture as the 'Voice of the Lakers' and a legend in his profession.—NBA Commissioner David Stern

He was a man who taught me about discipline.—Pat Riley

What I enjoyed most about Chick was his honesty. If I asked him about a player or a coach, I would always get an honest answer. His frankness was refreshing and certainly not typical of someone so immersed in an organization. He was always very gracious. But his honesty is what stands out in my mind — I'll remember him most for that.—Dan Patrick

Chick Hearn is not only an entertaining, accurate reporter, he also has one of the most remarkable memories of any broadcaster. Ever since our days in Peoria I have admired and respected him. I am proud to call him my friend.—Jack Brickhouse (fellow American Sportscaster)

Chick-isms

• Air-ball: A shot that draws nothing but air.
• (He sent that one back) Air-mail Special!: A strongly-blocked shot, often sent high into the stands.
• Bloooows the layup! : Missed a very easy layup.
• Boo-birds: Fans who boo their own team when they play badly.
• (He did the) bunny hop in the pea patch: He was called for traveling.
• (You could) call it with Braille: An easy call for an official, e.g. a blatant foul.
• (He got) caught with his hand in the cookie jar: A reaching foul.
• (The) Charity Stripe: The free-throw line.
• (He's got 'em) covered like the rug on your floor: Really good one-on-one defense.
• (They) couldn't beat the Sisters of Mercy: The team is getting beat badly.
• (They) couldn't throw a pea into the ocean: The team's shooting is really awful.
• (It'll) count if it goes ...: A player that is fouled in the act of shooting. It go-o-o-oes! (if the shot is successful)
• (That shot) didn't draw iron: A shot which misses the rim, but hits the backboard.
• Dime store score: A 10 to 5 score
• Dribble-drive: A player drives the basket while dribbling.
• Finger roll: A shot where the ball rolls off the shooter's fingers.
• (He) fly-swatted (that one): A shot blocked with force and authority.
• Football score: A score resembling one often seen in a football game (e.g., 21 to 14).
• (He threw up a) frozen rope: A shot with a very flat trajectory.
• (We're) high above the western sideline: Chick's perch at the Fabulous Forum, from which he called his word's eye views of the game.
• Hippity-hops the dribble: A player dribbling the ball does a little hop step.
• I'll bet you an ice-cream: Hearn and Keith Erickson (his one-time color commentator) often bet ice creams on the outcome of a shot or game.
• (He's got) ice-water in his veins: When a player hits a clutch free-throw.
• (It's) garbage time: The (often sloppily-played) remainder of the game (after it’s in the refrigerator).
• Give and Go: A player passes the ball, makes a quick cut, and receives a return pass.
• (In & out,) heart-brrrreak!: A shot that appears to go in, but rattles off the rim and misses. Sometimes it went in so far you could read the Commissioner's name from below.
• He has two chances, slim and none, and slim just left the building: The player has no chance of success with this play.
• If that goes in, I'm walking home: Similar to a prayer, when the opponent shoots a shot that is a prayer, a streak, or some amazing shot. (Usually on the road)
• Leapin' Lena: A shot made while the player is in the air and off balance.
• (There are) lots of referees in the building, only three getting paid: The entire crowd acts as though they are the officials by disagreeing with a call.
• The mustard's off the hot dog: A player attempts an unnecessarily showy, flashy play which ends up in a turnover or is otherwise unsuccessful.
• Nervous time: When the final moments of a game are pressure-packed.
• 94-by-50 hunk of wood: Simply put, a basketball court's dimensions. (Attacking 47 feet: The front court.)
• No harm, no foul(no blood, no ambulance, no stitches): A non-call by an official when varying degrees of contact have occurred. More adjectives means the non-call was more questionable.)
• Not Phi Beta Kappa: Simply put, not a smart play.
• ...Since Hector was a pup A very long time (e.g., the Lakers haven't had the lead since Hector was a pup.)
• He's in the Popcorn Machine (with butter and salt all over him): Meaning that a defensive player got faked into the air (and out of play) by an offensive player's pump fake. ("Popcorn Machine" is a reference to an actual popcorn machine in the old Los Angeles Sports Arena, which was near the basket, but far away from the court. Thus, if the player went far out of play, he was in the "popcorn machine.")
• (He's) on him like a postage stamp: Very tight defense, simply put.
• Slam dunk!: Hearn's most famous phrase; a powerful shot where a player forces the ball through the rim with one or both hands.
• (He) takes him to the third floor and leaves him at the mezzanine: A move where an offensive player pump-fakes a defender and draws a foul from the leaping player.
• Tattoo dribble: A player dribbling the ball while not moving, as though tattooing the floor with the ball, as he waits for the play to develop.
• This game's in the refrigerator: the door is closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard, and the Jell-O's jigglin'!: The game's outcome is set; only the final score is in question.
• Throws up a brick: When a player tosses up a particularly errant shot.
• Throws up a prayer (... it's answered!!!): A wild shot that will need a miracle to score (and does).
• Ticky-tack: A foul called when very little contact has been made.
• Triple-double: A player gets 10 or more (i.e. double digits) in three statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals or blocked shots.
• (On his) wallet: A player fell on his rear end.
• Words-eye view: What listeners received while listening to Hearn call the game on the radio.
• (He's) working on his Wrigleys. A player is chewing gum.
• (He's) yo-yo-ing up and down: A player is standing there dribbling the ball up and down as if it were a yo-yo on a string.

Nicknames for Laker players

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Cap, The Captain, Big Fella
• Kobe Bryant: The Kid
• Cedric Ceballos: Garbage Man
• Michael Cooper: Secretary of Defense
• Rick Fox: Foxy
• Gail Goodrich: Stumpy (because of his height) This nickname, frequently used by Hearn, was actually given to Goodrich by teammate Elgin Baylor.
• Magic Johnson: Buck, The Magic Man
• Shaquille O'Neal: Big Fella
• Kurt Rambis: Blue-collar Kurt, Clark Kent (because of his safety glasses)
• Jerry West: Mr. Clutch, Zeke from Cabin Creek (also called that by his teammate Elgin Baylor, and nickname that West did not particularly like)
• James Worthy: Big Game James
• Nick Van Exel: Nick the Quick, Nick Van Excellent
• Sedale Threatt: The Thief
• Eddie Jones: Fast Eddie, The Pickpocket
• Derek Fisher : Fish
• Eddie Jordan : Thief of Baghdad

External links

• Chick-isms
• Tribute to Chick Hearn
• Chick Hearn's Legacy
• Interview with Phil Taylor about Chick Hearn conducted by CNNSI.com
• Chick Hearn at the Internet Movie Database
• Basketball Hall of Fame biography

Credits

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