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BilboBaggins
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Sportscaster Jim McKay Dies at 86
NEW YORK (AP) -Jim McKay elegantly covered competitions from badminton to barrel jumping. Yet he may best be remembered for that grim day at the Munich Olympics when he broke the news with three simple words: "They're all gone."
The groundbreaking sportscaster died Saturday of natural causes at his farm in Monkton, Md. He was 86.
McKay was the one who spanned the globe to bring television viewers the constant variety of sports on ABC's influential "Wide World of Sports," where he told of "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."
A far different kind of agony awaited in 1972 when word came down in Munich that Palestinian terrorists had kidnapped 11 Israeli athletes. McKay was summoned from a day off, hurriedly putting clothes over a bathing suit to anchor ABC's coverage of the drama as the games stood still.
The commando raid to free the hostages ended awfully. McKay told the world. Later, at the closing ceremony, he read a poem by A.E. Housman, "To an Athlete Dying Young."
"I had to control myself," he later recalled. "I was full of emotion. But when you are a professional, it is important to communicate what it is like, to capture the moment."
President Bush lauded McKay for his "skill and sensitivity" during coverage of the 1972 Olympics.
"He was a talented and eloquent newsman and storyteller whose special gift was his ability to make the viewers at home genuinely care about more than just who won or lost," Bush said in a statement.
It was "Wide World of Sports" that built ABC Sports into a powerhouse after its debut in 1961. The age before ESPN and a constant video loop of highlights was simpler then, and viewers tuned in to see what new kind of competition McKay could find. ABC estimated McKay traveled 4½ million miles on assignment for "Wide World," covering 40 countries.
When he moved from NBC to ABC Sports, pioneering television executive Roone Arledge specifically sought out McKay.
"Some people ... can make something dramatic by the inflections of their voices, without shouting," Arledge said. "Jim's not just somebody yelling at you. He has a sense of words, a sense of the drama of the moment."
Sportscaster Mike Tirico recalled that at his home when growing up in New York "dinner wasn't served until 'Wide World of Sports' was over." Tirico went on work at four British Opens with McKay.
"I remember him more than anything standing on some ski slope with snow falling around him and covering some downhill ski event somewhere in the world, whether it was the Olympics or not," Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said from the NBA finals in Boston. Jackson said McKay changed "our view of sports and our world experience of sports."
The New York Yankees paused to remember McKay before their game Saturday. He died hours before Big Brown failed in his attempt to complete the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes in McKay's favorite sport of all, horse racing.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy in World War II, James McManus was a newspaper reporter who transferred to television when The (Baltimore) Sun started its own station. He was the first on-air broadcaster seen in Baltimore, and hosted a three-hour weekday show, "The Sports Parade."
He moved to New York to do a similar show there dubbed "The Real McKay" by a CBS executive. McManus changed his professional name accordingly.
"He had a remarkable career and a remarkable life," his son, Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, told The Associated Press on Saturday. "Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn't come up to me and say how much they admired my father."
McKay - understated, dignified and with a clear eye for detail - covered 12 Olympics. His last was in 2002 at Salt Lake City for NBC after he received special permission to get out of his lifetime contract with ABC Sports. NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol began working with McKay as a 19-year-old Olympics researcher in 1968.
"He was truly the most respected and admired sportscaster of his generation and defined how the stories of sports can and should be covered," Ebersol said. "While we all know what an absolute titan he was in his chosen field, I will always remember him as an extraordinary human being guided by a strong moral compass."
ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer called McKay "a founding father of sports television." Added Bob Iger, president and chief executive of The Walt Disney Company: "He was a regular guy who wrote and spoke like a poet."
McKay left his mark on countless colleagues. Bob Costas called McKay a "singular broadcaster."
"He brought a reporter's eye, a literate touch, and above all a personal humanity to every assignment," Costas said. "He had a combination of qualities seldom seen in the history of the medium, not just sports."
CBS Sports' Jim Nantz said McKay was the broadcasting hero of his youth.
"I hung onto his every words and wrote him letters when I was a kids," he said. "I feel like one of the greatest joys of my life was having the chance to get to know him as a friend and father figure."
Auto racing great A.J. Foyt called McKay one of the "most down-to-earth and sincere sports guys I knew."
"He interviewed me many times and he was always a real gentleman," Foyt said. "He didn't ask stupid questions."
McKay was a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Majority owner Peter Angelos regarded him as a "visionary and a pioneer of sports broadcasting" who "never forgot where he came from, or his Maryland roots."
In addition to McManus, McKay's survivors include his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Mary. Margaret met McKay when they were reporters at The Sun, and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in October.
"He was a great father and I don't think he had one single regret when he passed away," his son said.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
NEW YORK (AP) -Jim McKay elegantly covered competitions from badminton to barrel jumping. Yet he may best be remembered for that grim day at the Munich Olympics when he broke the news with three simple words: "They're all gone."
The groundbreaking sportscaster died Saturday of natural causes at his farm in Monkton, Md. He was 86.
McKay was the one who spanned the globe to bring television viewers the constant variety of sports on ABC's influential "Wide World of Sports," where he told of "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."
A far different kind of agony awaited in 1972 when word came down in Munich that Palestinian terrorists had kidnapped 11 Israeli athletes. McKay was summoned from a day off, hurriedly putting clothes over a bathing suit to anchor ABC's coverage of the drama as the games stood still.
The commando raid to free the hostages ended awfully. McKay told the world. Later, at the closing ceremony, he read a poem by A.E. Housman, "To an Athlete Dying Young."
"I had to control myself," he later recalled. "I was full of emotion. But when you are a professional, it is important to communicate what it is like, to capture the moment."
President Bush lauded McKay for his "skill and sensitivity" during coverage of the 1972 Olympics.
"He was a talented and eloquent newsman and storyteller whose special gift was his ability to make the viewers at home genuinely care about more than just who won or lost," Bush said in a statement.
It was "Wide World of Sports" that built ABC Sports into a powerhouse after its debut in 1961. The age before ESPN and a constant video loop of highlights was simpler then, and viewers tuned in to see what new kind of competition McKay could find. ABC estimated McKay traveled 4½ million miles on assignment for "Wide World," covering 40 countries.
When he moved from NBC to ABC Sports, pioneering television executive Roone Arledge specifically sought out McKay.
"Some people ... can make something dramatic by the inflections of their voices, without shouting," Arledge said. "Jim's not just somebody yelling at you. He has a sense of words, a sense of the drama of the moment."
Sportscaster Mike Tirico recalled that at his home when growing up in New York "dinner wasn't served until 'Wide World of Sports' was over." Tirico went on work at four British Opens with McKay.
"I remember him more than anything standing on some ski slope with snow falling around him and covering some downhill ski event somewhere in the world, whether it was the Olympics or not," Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said from the NBA finals in Boston. Jackson said McKay changed "our view of sports and our world experience of sports."
The New York Yankees paused to remember McKay before their game Saturday. He died hours before Big Brown failed in his attempt to complete the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes in McKay's favorite sport of all, horse racing.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy in World War II, James McManus was a newspaper reporter who transferred to television when The (Baltimore) Sun started its own station. He was the first on-air broadcaster seen in Baltimore, and hosted a three-hour weekday show, "The Sports Parade."
He moved to New York to do a similar show there dubbed "The Real McKay" by a CBS executive. McManus changed his professional name accordingly.
"He had a remarkable career and a remarkable life," his son, Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, told The Associated Press on Saturday. "Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn't come up to me and say how much they admired my father."
McKay - understated, dignified and with a clear eye for detail - covered 12 Olympics. His last was in 2002 at Salt Lake City for NBC after he received special permission to get out of his lifetime contract with ABC Sports. NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol began working with McKay as a 19-year-old Olympics researcher in 1968.
"He was truly the most respected and admired sportscaster of his generation and defined how the stories of sports can and should be covered," Ebersol said. "While we all know what an absolute titan he was in his chosen field, I will always remember him as an extraordinary human being guided by a strong moral compass."
ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer called McKay "a founding father of sports television." Added Bob Iger, president and chief executive of The Walt Disney Company: "He was a regular guy who wrote and spoke like a poet."
McKay left his mark on countless colleagues. Bob Costas called McKay a "singular broadcaster."
"He brought a reporter's eye, a literate touch, and above all a personal humanity to every assignment," Costas said. "He had a combination of qualities seldom seen in the history of the medium, not just sports."
CBS Sports' Jim Nantz said McKay was the broadcasting hero of his youth.
"I hung onto his every words and wrote him letters when I was a kids," he said. "I feel like one of the greatest joys of my life was having the chance to get to know him as a friend and father figure."
Auto racing great A.J. Foyt called McKay one of the "most down-to-earth and sincere sports guys I knew."
"He interviewed me many times and he was always a real gentleman," Foyt said. "He didn't ask stupid questions."
McKay was a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Majority owner Peter Angelos regarded him as a "visionary and a pioneer of sports broadcasting" who "never forgot where he came from, or his Maryland roots."
In addition to McManus, McKay's survivors include his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Mary. Margaret met McKay when they were reporters at The Sun, and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in October.
"He was a great father and I don't think he had one single regret when he passed away," his son said.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Sitting at my workbench in my comfortable little Hobbit hole.
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CaboWabo
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That sucks, I liked that dude.
Oddly enough, there aren't that many great sport announcers.
I even watched a special on HBO about him.
Oddly enough, there aren't that many great sport announcers.
I even watched a special on HBO about him.
Dear Life Cereal, Where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast and delicious? Who do you think you are? By now you may have guessed I'm speaking ironically and have nothing but good things to say about what you do. Life cereal do not change a thing.
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BilboBaggins
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RIP: Ulysses Solar Probe
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - The Ulysses solar probe will cease operations around July 1 after nearly 18 years in outer space, NASA announced Thursday.
The U.S.-European spacecraft has been suffering from a decline in its plutonium power for some time. Despite conservation measures by ground controllers, the power has dwindled to the point where thruster fuel soon will freeze up.
Ulysses already has surpassed its expected lifetime by almost four times, traveling 5.4 billion miles since its launch aboard space shuttle Discovery in 1990.
"When the last bits of data finally arrive, it surely will be tough to say goodbye," European Space Agency mission operations manager Nigel Angold said in a statement.
The $250 million spacecraft studied the sun, in particular its poles and the heliosphere, the region around the sun carved out by the solar wind.
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I know it's not truly a being but research vessels deserve some respect too.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - The Ulysses solar probe will cease operations around July 1 after nearly 18 years in outer space, NASA announced Thursday.
The U.S.-European spacecraft has been suffering from a decline in its plutonium power for some time. Despite conservation measures by ground controllers, the power has dwindled to the point where thruster fuel soon will freeze up.
Ulysses already has surpassed its expected lifetime by almost four times, traveling 5.4 billion miles since its launch aboard space shuttle Discovery in 1990.
"When the last bits of data finally arrive, it surely will be tough to say goodbye," European Space Agency mission operations manager Nigel Angold said in a statement.
The $250 million spacecraft studied the sun, in particular its poles and the heliosphere, the region around the sun carved out by the solar wind.
------------
I know it's not truly a being but research vessels deserve some respect too.
Sitting at my workbench in my comfortable little Hobbit hole.
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sidewinder
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I had a rectal probe once...didn't much care for it. I never could figgure out how some people can enjoy that sort of thing enough to have marches to proclaim their pride in it 
Oh well, whatever floats your boat I suppose...but I have to say on this one, I don't think I'll miss it all that much.
Oh well, whatever floats your boat I suppose...but I have to say on this one, I don't think I'll miss it all that much.The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand
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BilboBaggins
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I was waiting for you to say you had an Uranus Probe once.sidewinder wrote:I had a rectal probe once...didn't much care for it. I never could figgure out how some people can enjoy that sort of thing enough to have marches to proclaim their pride in it
Sitting at my workbench in my comfortable little Hobbit hole.
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CaboWabo
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Tim Russert died.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_russert
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_russert
Dear Life Cereal, Where do you get off? Part of a balanced breakfast and delicious? Who do you think you are? By now you may have guessed I'm speaking ironically and have nothing but good things to say about what you do. Life cereal do not change a thing.
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BilboBaggins
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Damn,CaboWabo wrote:Tim Russert died.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_russert
Only in his late 50's
He'll be hard to replace.
Sitting at my workbench in my comfortable little Hobbit hole.
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sidewinder
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Scott Kalitta
NHRA Driver Scott Kalitta Dies In Crash In N.J.
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) ― Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of track during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
The NHRA said the 46-year-old Kalitta -- the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion who had 18 career victories, 17 in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car -- was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later.
Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph when it burst into flames.
The Palmetto, Fla., resident started his career at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as "The Bounty Hunter," and his cousin, Doug Kalitta, also drives competitively.
"We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family," the NHRA said in a statement. "Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form. ... He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community."
Kalitta had most of his racing success in Top Fuel, highlighted by his series titles in 1994 and 1995. He retired from racing in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for a 10-race campaign in 1999. He sat out three more seasons following that brief stint and then returned again in 2003, joining cousin Doug as a second driver for the family's two Top Fuel dragsters.
Kalitta started his pro career in Top Fuel in 1982, running limited events for four seasons before moving to Funny Car in 1986 for his first full season of competition. He returned to that category full-time in 2006.
One of only 14 drivers in NHRA history to win in both premier nitro categories, Kalitta's last victory came in Chicago in 2005 in Top Fuel. He had a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Chicago, his 36th career NHRA final-round appearance.
He's survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski -- a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., about 20 miles away from Kalitta's hometown of Mount Clemens -- learned the news from a television report.
"That really hits close to home," Keselowski said after winning the pole position for Saturday night's race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. "(He was) a friend of my family's, and I send my thoughts and prayers out to him. That's tough to hear."
Last year, Funny Car driver Eric Medlen died after an accident in a testing session at Gainesville, Fla.
ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (AP) ― Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of track during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.
The NHRA said the 46-year-old Kalitta -- the 1994 and 1995 Top Fuel season champion who had 18 career victories, 17 in Top Fuel and one in Funny Car -- was taken to the Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he died a short time later.
Kalitta's Toyota Solara was traveling at about 300 mph when it burst into flames.
The Palmetto, Fla., resident started his career at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in 1982. His father, Connie Kalitta, was a longtime driver and team owner known as "The Bounty Hunter," and his cousin, Doug Kalitta, also drives competitively.
"We are deeply saddened and want to pass along our sincere condolences to the entire Kalitta family," the NHRA said in a statement. "Scott shared the same passion for drag racing as his legendary father, Connie. He also shared the same desire to win, becoming a two-time series world champion. He left the sport for a period of time, to devote more time to his family, only to be driven to return to the drag strip to regain his championship form. ... He will be truly missed by the entire NHRA community."
Kalitta had most of his racing success in Top Fuel, highlighted by his series titles in 1994 and 1995. He retired from racing in 1997, sitting out most of two seasons before returning for a 10-race campaign in 1999. He sat out three more seasons following that brief stint and then returned again in 2003, joining cousin Doug as a second driver for the family's two Top Fuel dragsters.
Kalitta started his pro career in Top Fuel in 1982, running limited events for four seasons before moving to Funny Car in 1986 for his first full season of competition. He returned to that category full-time in 2006.
One of only 14 drivers in NHRA history to win in both premier nitro categories, Kalitta's last victory came in Chicago in 2005 in Top Fuel. He had a runner-up finish two weeks ago in Chicago, his 36th career NHRA final-round appearance.
He's survived by his father, wife Kathy and sons Corey, 14, and Colin, 8.
NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Brad Keselowski -- a native of Rochester Hills, Mich., about 20 miles away from Kalitta's hometown of Mount Clemens -- learned the news from a television report.
"That really hits close to home," Keselowski said after winning the pole position for Saturday night's race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis. "(He was) a friend of my family's, and I send my thoughts and prayers out to him. That's tough to hear."
Last year, Funny Car driver Eric Medlen died after an accident in a testing session at Gainesville, Fla.
The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand
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Murdoch
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aw jesus. I hoped i would never have to do this..
Comedian George Carlin dies in Los Angeles at 71
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71.
Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.
Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine about seven dirty words you could not say on television. A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of his "Filthy Words" routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is a guy who I really looked up to. May his memory live forever.
Comedian George Carlin dies in Los Angeles at 71
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71.
Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, died at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica about 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT) after being admitted earlier in the afternoon for chest pains, spokesman Jeff Abraham told Reuters.
Known for his edgy, provocative material, Carlin achieved status as an anti-Establishment icon in the 1970s with stand-up bits full of drug references and a routine about seven dirty words you could not say on television. A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of his "Filthy Words" routine ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is a guy who I really looked up to. May his memory live forever.
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sidewinder
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cj
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[YouTube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0ZsvrvwWnU[/YouTube]Murdoch wrote:aw jesus. I hoped i would never have to do this..
Comedian George Carlin dies in Los Angeles at 71
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs and dirty words, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said. He was 71.
This is a guy who I really looked up to. May his memory live forever.
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CaboWabo
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crazydave
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BilboBaggins
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[YouTube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTyzTJTNhNk[/YouTube]BilboBaggins wrote:Carlin was definitely a thinking mans comedian.
In honor of him we all should loudly proclaim the 7 words you can't say on Television.