Condition of Lakers announcer Chick Hearn worsens (Near Death)

Yahoo! Sports ^ | 08/05/02

[socal_parrot]

Condition of Lakers announcer Chick Hearn worsens

August 5, 2002

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Veteran Lakers announcer Chick Hearn was near death Monday, in a coma on life support, his doctor said.

The 85-year-old Hearn's condition deteriorated overnight, Dr. Asher Taban said at a news conference outside Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

``I am afraid to say this is not very good news. I would say he is beyond critical,'' Taban said. ``You could call it grave.''

Hearn was hospitalized Friday after falling at home and hitting the back of his head, causing hemorrhaging in his brain.

After two operations, Hearn was reported to be in critical and stable condition Sunday night. But he took a turn for the worse and his organs began to fail, Taban said.

Hearn is the only play-by-play announcer the Lakers have had since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles for the 1960-61 season. He is credited with making phrases like ``slam dunk'' and ``air ball'' part of the NBA jargon.

In December, Hearn had heart-valve replacement surgery, ending his streak of broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games. That run dated to Nov. 20, 1965, when bad weather kept him from making a flight.

Known as the ``Voice of the Lakers,'' Hearn is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame.

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updated at Mon Aug 5 09:42:14 2002 PT

[socal_parrot]

Very sad.

[Rev DMV]

Just saw this as well, He's a class act.

[mhking]

Just damn.

Chick is one of the sports broadcast legends, and a class act. I'm sorry to hear this.

[umgud]

10-12 years ago, I sat accross the isle from him on a flight to Sacramento. We even stayed at the same hotel and rode the courtesy bus together. It was a grand experience for a fan to have him as a captive audience. I was on business at the state capitol and he was there for a game at the Arco Arena.

[princess leah]

My husband and I were vacationing in San Clemente this past week and I heard on the radio about Chick and having grown up a Laker fan I remember my dad always turning down the TV and listening to Chick announce all the games...for a long time I never knew that others announced games and when I did start listening to TV announcers, boy what a let down they were next to Chick! He's in a CLASS by himself! My prayers go with him and his wife!

[bruin66]

He is credited with making phrases like ``slam dunk'' and ``air ball'' part of the NBA jargon.

Don't forget:
"Put him in the popcorn machine!"
"Standing around, combing his hair!",
"Yo-yoing up and down!"

[socal_parrot]

Here is a list of "Chick-isms" from an earlier thread.

[pbear8]

So sad. I loved to listen to him, he was the best. Prayers for him and for his wife.

[anymouse]

Ping for a great sportscaster.

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

Just watched Chevy Chase's "Fletch" last night. Chick was all over the flick. The movie sucked, I guess thats why its been 15 years since the lsat time I saw it.

[hole_n_one]

Laker sources are saying that Marge Hearn, Chick's wife, has given a "do not resuscitate" order to the doctors.

[hole_n_one]

Chick Hearn pronounced dead at 6:30 pm pt.

Rest in peace, Chick.

[socal_parrot]

Just heard the sad news on the radio. He was the best.