Dick Enberg dead at 82

[revo]

That’s too bad, he was a legend. RIP.

[TranaGreg]

Indeed. The local news guy on the radio this morning described him as one of the few who would let the game unfold, striking a balance between describing a play but not needing to explain everything ... he probably would never get hired in today's environment.

[harmon]

Excellent broadcaster for many sports. I loved his easy and friendly style for baseball and tennis. They don't make them like this anymore, will be sorely missed.

[Judge Jude]

oh my

[The Dane]

I have a personal Dick Enberg story.

In 2008 (or thereabouts), I was trapped in Lubbock, Texas overnight at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport due to a sandstorm. (It was my first sandstorm, and it really was more like a mudstorm, and if you've never been in one, I would say it's the second most-miserable weather condition on this earth, behind only the Santa Ana winds.) After the last flights scrambled out, there was about a dozen of us left stranded, several family members of Texas Tech basketball players who had just witnessed a game of some import, Dick Enberg who was calling said game, and me. Otherwise, the airport was deserted, save for a few custodians vacuuming up, and a lone open coffee klatsch. Eventually, we all found each other and sat together for some companionship. We all sat in a circle on the floor and talked most of the night, telling stories and joking. Mr. Enberg sat with us and never said a word. He smiled and chuckled at people's stories, but he just sat and drank cup after cup of coffee. In the morning, some nine or ten hours later, a few flights made it out and we all went our separate directions. One stop-over had me in Albuquerque, and as I was making it to my next flight, I was riding a moving sidewalk and Mr. Enberg was coming toward me in the opposite direction. We recognized each other in the distance. I called to him that I hoped he makes his connection okay, and he hollered a platitude in kind.

He began broadcasting Padres baseball shortly after that, and I tried to catch as many games as I could. These last years in California have seen the best baseball broadcasting anywhere. When we had Enberg in San Diego, Kruk and Kuip and Miller and Flemming in San Francisco, and the perfection of Scully in Los Angeles, anywhere in the State you could catch superlative baseball broadcasting. It was an embarrassment of riches, and Enberg was a part of that.

I can't tell you if Enberg was a good man, but in my evening with him, I can tell you he was a quiet gentleman, respectful and friendly, and while he's known for calling lots and lots of different sports, he ended up a very fine voice for baseball.

I will miss him.

[Friarfan]

I have a personal Dick Enberg story.

In 2008 (or thereabouts), I was trapped in Lubbock, Texas overnight at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport due to a sandstorm. (It was my first sandstorm, and it really was more like a mudstorm, and if you've never been in one, I would say it's the second most-miserable weather condition on this earth, behind only the Santa Ana winds.) After the last flights scrambled out, there was about a dozen of us left stranded, several family members of Texas Tech basketball players who had just witnessed a game of some import, Dick Enberg who was calling said game, and me. Otherwise, the airport was deserted, save for a few custodians vacuuming up, and a lone open coffee klatsch. Eventually, we all found each other and sat together for some companionship. We all sat in a circle on the floor and talked most of the night, telling stories and joking. Mr. Enberg sat with us and never said a word. He smiled and chuckled at people's stories, but he just sat and drank cup after cup of coffee. In the morning, some nine or ten hours later, a few flights made it out and we all went our separate directions. One stop-over had me in Albuquerque, and as I was making it to my next flight, I was riding a moving sidewalk and Mr. Enberg was coming toward me in the opposite direction. We recognized each other in the distance. I called to him that I hoped he makes his connection okay, and he hollered a platitude in kind.

He began broadcasting Padres baseball shortly after that, and I tried to catch as many games as I could. These last years in California have seen the best baseball broadcasting anywhere. When we had Enberg in San Diego, Kruk and Kuip and Miller and Flemming in San Francisco, and the perfection of Scully in Los Angeles, anywhere in the State you could catch superlative baseball broadcasting. It was an embarrassment of riches, and Enberg was a part of that.

I can't tell you if Enberg was a good man, but in my evening with him, I can tell you he was a quiet gentleman, respectful and friendly, and while he's known for calling lots and lots of different sports, he ended up a very fine voice for baseball.

I will miss him.

Awesome story, Tim!

He was well thought of in his time here in SD. A true gentleman. He and Mark Grant made a good pair and Grant continuously made his feelings and respect for the man known during each broadcast.

RIP Professor!

[revo]

It's sad that all of the great announcers of the 1970s and 1980s are retired or gone. Enberg, Pat Summerall, Charlie Jones, Jack Buck, etc. etc.

When I heard about Enberg this morning, it was a punch in the gut.