Remembering Jim McKay
Jim McKay never had a catch phrase. He never needed one.
Yes, that was his voice introducing Wide World of Sports every Saturday with "spanning the globe ..." But that's a long way from a catch phrase. In fact, there was no "c
atch" with McKay. As we recall his broadcasting career upon his death today, what stands out is just how decent and honest a presence he was on the air.
You can be inclined to think McKay never would have become such a big part of the national sports scene had he come along today, when so much of sports programming is about a "look at me, Mom!" delivery and who can shout his opinions the loudest. But I like to believe McKay's broadcasting talents -- particularly the way it was always the story and not the storyteller -- still haven't gone completely out of style.
Long before the days of 24-hour TV news, his marathon performance during the Munich Olympic massacre became his signature moment -- calm, reasoned, unflappable and ultimately understatedly moving with a final "They're all gone" about the murdered Israeli Olympians.
I interviewed him in person only once -- at the U.S. Women's Open at Baltimore Country Club 20 years ago. I can't recall many details of the interview, other than I came away thinking, "What a gentleman."
We live in the days of hyperbole, so maybe "legendary" doesn't have the same impact it once did. But the word truly applies to Jim McKay.
Comments
Jim McKay exuded class and professionalism. He was a great advocate for horse racing in Maryland as well as other sports.
Posted by: fkterp | June 7, 2008 3:17 PM
Jim McKay was a gentleman, a scholar and one of the best sports commentators of all times! He will be missed... Graham in Toronto
Posted by: graham wignall | June 7, 2008 6:50 PM
Tribute to Jim McKay
The Wide World of Sports
premiered in ’61,
after Roone had chosen you
to bring us all the fun.
You brought us “the constant variety of sports”
by “spanning the globe” near and far.
In broadcast journalism,
you certainly raised the bar.
You brought much more
than just the score of the games.
You introduced us to the athletes
by telling us much more than their names.
You told us their stories.
You brought us into their lives.
By the time you were finished,
we knew their parents, children, and wives.
When Palestinian terrorists struck
In Munich in ’72,
The fate of the Israeli athletes
was brought to us by you.
Holding back emotions with professionalism,
through the night until dawn,
you calmly reported the ordeal
until having to say, “They’re all gone”.
Yours was the voice that graced sports
for nearly two generations.
You so wonderfully narrated
so many Olympic celebrations.
Whether it be newsman or sportscaster
you’re at the top of the list.
From this day forward,
you’ll be dearly missed.
by
Michael Manzanotti ©2008
Posted by: michael manzanotti | June 7, 2008 10:56 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed watching commentator Jim McKay on Wide World of Sports during the '70s and '80s. I recall a classical music piece "Masterpiece Theater" played at the beginning of one episode that took place in Europe which was my all-time favorite that I still remember to this day. I have looked endlessly for the CD, etc. Jim was the original Golden Sports Commentator. I had previously lived in Maryland. I miss the four seasons but most of all Jim McKay will be truly missed.
Posted by: Debbie Achey | June 8, 2008 1:51 AM
MUCH MORE THAN SPORTS
James Kenneth McManus
September 24, 1921 – June 7, 2008
We heard the "thrill of victory,
and the agony of defeat"
We all knew when he said it
That, we’d be in for a treat.
Through the "Wide World Of Sports"
He showed us places, never seen
From the North Pole to the South
And all of those, in between.
He spent years spanning the Globe
And brought us news and sports
And from the Olympics in Munich
He gave us all those sad reports.
His passion was the sport of kings
Founder of the "Maryland Million Day"
His love of horses and their races
Lasting until his final day.
A legend in the sports industry
But he left us so much more
Showed it’s how you play the game
It’s not how much you score.
This World will be a lesser place
Without his great charm and wit
Yes, he surely will be missed
Much more than just a little bit.
Del "Abe" Jones
06.08.2008
"Mankind’s greatest accomplishment is not the revolution of technology it is the evolution of creativity " copyright Del "Abe" Jones 1984
Posted by: Del Jones | June 8, 2008 4:49 PM
It was with great saddness that i learned of Mr. McKay's passing on June 7, 2008. The city of Baltimore lost a sports legend. How ironic that he passed the day of the Belmont, on what could have been a Triple Crown winner. He would have embraced that story with all the gusto that he did with every event he ever covered.
Baltimore will miss him. He will never be forgotten here or anywhere. Rest in peace.
Posted by: Patti L, Skalinski | June 9, 2008 6:18 PM
As a kid, I never really understood sports that well. Jim McKay changed all that. No matter what was on the Wide World of Sports, he helped us to understand and enjoy. He also taught us that there was dignity in both the "thrill of victory" as well as " the agony of defeat." The only tragedy was not to try
Posted by: Frank Elfring | June 10, 2008 8:55 PM
Look up "class guy" in the dictionary and you'll no doubt find a picture of Mr.Jim McKay!
Posted by: Joe Lancione | June 11, 2008 1:59 AM