Sports: Golden voices of days gone by

Mar. 7—The recent news that legendary play-by-play man Eli Gold is out of the booth for University of Alabama football broadcasts was a big of a stunner.

That's not to say I was particularly a fan of his, seemed like all he ever said with his raspy voice was "Touchdown Alabama," but it just won't seem right

The 70-year-old Gold took the Bama gig in 1988. That was eons ago in the life of the Crimson Tide. That was long before Nick Saban took Bama to new heights and made the sound of Gold familiar to all fans of college football.

To me, you can put just about anybody on the television play-by-play. We can see what is happening. The big stars on TV are the Dandy Dons and John Maddens — the commentators who add their expertise to the telecast and hopefully, a little humor.

But the voice on the radio takes you on a journey. He sets the down and distance and reminds you of the situation. He describes the play — Jones is back to throw — he's in trouble, steps up — throws deep — Waddle has it — TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA.

From the time I got my first 6 transistor radio and began hearing broadcasts from gridirons and diamonds far away, I've heard many announcers whose delivery or eloquence make them stand out from the dozens firing up a mike. Many would have a unique phrase or play on words that still resonate today.

The legendary Southwest Conference Network announcer Kern Tips would say of a Texas touchdown, "He's in Royal soil," a reference to the Longhorns' coach at the time, Darrell Royal.

If a quarterback was sacked, Tips would say "He had to peel it and eat it."

The phases and Tips' powerful voice made him a fan favorite.

Texas Rangers fans loved Dick Risenhoover's "Goodbye Baseball" when a swat cleared Arlington Stadium. But in Houston, when the announcers started saying "That's another Astro orbit," that sounded a little forced and corny.

Harry Caray, who could be heard on the powerful KMOX in St. Louis long before he called the White Sox, was known for saying "It could be, it might be it is — a home run." Caray was a true personality and more than just a few phrases."

Bill Mercer, who's now 98-years-old, broadcasted everything in the Dallas area from Bob Hayes catching bombs to Fritz Von Erich slapping on the Iron Claw, had a phrase I liked when someone would take a big swing and a miss in baseball. "He took a mean cut at that one," Mercer would exclaim. It kind of made the batter sound heroic even while fanning at the plate.

John Madden would often shout "boom" when a tackler put a big hit on a ball carrier, which fit in with his larger than life personality.

My favorite basketball announcer was Terry Stembridge. I first heard him calling the Dallas Chaparrals games in the ABA, then the San Antonio Spur. He was the voice of the franchise for 15-years. One of his best lines came at the close of games the locals had lost, "There will be another night."

That's not a bad thought to hang onto. Coupled with Scarlett O'Hara's "Tomorrow is another day," you can get through any situation.