Be a Good Sport

In visiting with my friend Grant Boone this morning at our small group meeting, we discussed (among other things) sports broadcasting, a field in which Grant has skillz (yes, skillz). It encouraged me to offer these sports announcer and sports interview quotes that were among some assembled by Tim Harrower.

"We only have one person to blame, and that's each other." -Barry Beck, N.Y. Ranger explaining how a brawl started.

"He fakes a bluff!" -Ron Fairly, S.F. Giants announcer

"Winfield goes back to the wall. He hits his head on the wall! And it rolls off! It's rolling all the way to second base! This is a terrible thing for the Padres!" -Jerry Coleman, S.D> Padres radio announcer, describing a fly ball hit by a member of the opposing team.

"We are experiencing audio technicalities." -Ralph Kiner, N.Y. Mets announcer

"If I wasn't talking, I wouldn't know what to say." -Chico Resch, N.Y. Islanders goalie

"Arnie, usually a great putter, seems to be having trouble with his long putt. However, he has no trouble sropping his shorts." -Unidentified gold broadcaster during a tournament

"His reputation preceded him before he got here." -Don Mattingly, N.Y. Yankees star, on new pitcher Dwight Gooden

"Lintz steals second standing up! He slid, but he didn't have to." -Jerry Coleman

"I don't want to tell you any half-truths unless they're completely accurate." -Dennis Rappaport, boxing manager, explaining his silence regarding Tommy Hearns

"It's about 90 percent strength and 40 percent technique." -Johnny Walker, wrist-wrestling champion

"Today is Father's Day, so everyone out there: Happy Birthday!" -Ralph Kiner