02/21/25
February 19, 2025
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
I read beaverboard's post about Mike Lange earlier this morning (Thursday). Later, in my email, up popped the "The Players Tribune" with an article written by the very same Mr. Lange. He tells of the origin of many of his catch phrases in a manner that reveals his most humorous and light-hearted personality. Part of the story is his relationship with Jaromir Jagr and how Jagr became the source of one of those sayings. Here's the link: Riding the Bus with Jaromir. Enjoy.
posted by Howard_T at 12:44 PM on February 20, 2025
[link fixed]
posted by NoMich at 02:00 PM on February 20, 2025
Great link and story, thanks.
Lange had a lot of fun with player's names during the game call. Especially Jagr and Recchi.
posted by beaverboard at 01:32 AM on February 21, 2025
RIP Mike Lange, creative, hilarious broadcast voice of the Penguins.
I used to live for Pens clips in the pre-internet days. There was a nugget from Lange in every one.
"Ooh, he beat Puppa like a rented mule!" That was the first time I ever heard that phrase.
I think that one time, a clip of his was cued up un-previewed on the Sports Machine and when it ran, it left George Michael momentarily speechless, which was almost impossible to do.
In later years, Lange may have started to think that listeners were waiting for the next big memorable bomb drop and his call began sounding a bit more forced, less spontaneous. Working it a bit too hard, perhaps.
But there were times when that guy left me so astounded at what I just heard that there was a 2 or 3 second time delay before the laughter kicked in.
Now that you've left the building, Mike, say hi to Elvis when you see him.