If You Want a Response, Say Chick Should Quit

The issue of whether Chick Hearn should stay with the Lakers or retire is probably moot. Broadcasters who have made as big a mark on their sport as have star players--and Hearn is in this category--are more or less allowed to exit when they decide it’s time.

When I first began broadcasting some 30 years ago, Chick was an idol, and I was just as mesmerized by his rapid-fire patter and “Chickisms” as everybody else was. But over the years, the act grew a bit stale and Hearn’s occasionally grating personality took its toll. Everything hasn’t been roses in Chick’s life, and the rough edges have sometimes shown through.

Now, he’s not the Chick many of us remember. Unless he really needs to keep working the mike to put bread on the table, it’s time for the team to give him one more round of recognition and then find the best talent available to start a new era.

Chick faked Father Time “into the popcorn machine” for more years than anyone else in his profession. Thanks for the memories.

Jerry Roberts

Guam

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Rather than roast Chickie Baby for what was admittedly a rough and ragged ceremony, I’d take issue with what seemed to be a total lack of stage management. Clearly, no one was coordinating the players’ arrivals, giving Hearn cues or reminding him that he’d strayed off-list and forgotten to announce Lindsey Hunter (and who can really blame him--looks like Phil Jackson forgot Lindsey once the playoffs started anyway).

It’s stating the clearly obvious to say that Chick has deserved whatever part he wishes to play in any Laker ceremony. An easy answer? Don’t forget Chick’s right-hand man, Stu Lantz. I did find it curious that he was left out of the ceremony altogether.

Enough, guys. You’ve got until just about this time next year to get it worked out.

Dave Stuckey

Hollywood