Four broadcasting legends, three with Rhode Island ties, are turning off the mic

Thinking out loud … while wondering if middle age is when work is a lot less fun, or when fun is a lot more work …

You know, we’re all a bit weird because we actually listen to voices in our heads.

These voices — broadcasters — talk to us all the time, as our teams are playing the sports and the games we wish we could play. As fans, broadcasters help connect us to the teams and athletes we love and admire — often through tradition based on where we live, and often who we live with.

Family is a big part of this, of course.

Yup, family is usually at fault, introducing us to these voices in our heads, ringing in our ears, game in and game out. I know it was that way when I was much younger, sampling sports through the radio in my grandfather’s oversized ’57 Dodge with wingback taillights, listening on AM radio to the energetic and excitable announcers describing the action as my team — my guys — fought valiantly on the field.

And my granddad was yelling at them. He couldn’t see them, but he was yelling at them. He was excited. And I became excited, too. Because that voice in our heads, over the scratchy AM radio, was excited. It was the late Frank Glieber’s voice, as I later learned, calling the plays for the Dallas Cowboys with former quarterback Eddie LeBaron.Those guys became a part of my life, as announcers often do, because that’s their job — to tell us what happens. Draw us into the fray, put us on the field or the court or the ice, even if we can’t physically be there.

This has been a rare week. Not one, not two, not three but four iconic names and terrific broadcasters have announced they are stepping away from their microphones and heading into retirement — after decades of informing and entertaining. Three of these gentlemen have direct ties to Rhode Island.

The fourth is familiar as well and was someone who helped fashion my career since my pre-teen years. Verne Lundquist was once the radio voice of the Dallas Cowboys and the weeknight sports anchor at Dallas’ WFAA Channel 8 beginning in the 1960s and through the decade of the ‘70s.

But “Uncle Verne’s” ubiquitous, folksy delivery quickly translated onto the national scene, through his work on ABC and CBS for the last four-plus decades. His March Madness, college football and professional golf work have been nothing short of exemplary, no matter what the assignment. Lundquist stepped away from CBS on Sunday at the conclusion of The Masters.

“In your life, have you ever seen anything like that?!?” Lundquist’s style was one I tried to emulate, until realizing the best broadcasters are also the best at being themselves. But we all start somewhere. Verne always kept his audience informed and interested. And me?

“Yes sir!” I was always entertained.

The others to announce their retirements: Celtics announcer Mike Gorman. Bruins broadcaster Jack Edwards. Yankees play-by-play man John Sterling. More on them below.

∎LIV golf and the PGA Tour have not (yet) merged. As we thought they might (not.) And reportedly, Rory McIlroy was offered an incredible $850 million to join the Dark Side — to which he denied even receiving an offer. But $850 million is an awful lot of principle to pass up, if true.

∎The Arizona Coyotes are headed for Salt Lake City. That means former Bruin and P-Bruin Bill Armstrong’s career as GM could be hanging in the balance — just like hockey’s future in the desert.

∎It’s the fourth time in 12 years — seems like more than that — for the Bruins and Toronto to square off in the NHL playoffs’ opening round. While the B’s have three seven-game series wins in the last 11 years, the Leafs still haven’t won a postseason series against Boston since 1959.

∎The Providence Bruins’ regular season wraps up on Sunday at the AMP. The P-B’s will finish second in the Atlantic Division of the AHL (behind defending champ Hershey) and fourth in the league overall in points. An astounding 23 teams (out of 32) will reach the postseason. Why?

∎Still not a fan of the current NBA Playoffs’ “Play In” for the seventh through 10th place teams in each conference. Where is the real incentive to dig deep late in a season if you’re out of the top six? And if you’re out of the top six, are you really playoff worthy in the first place?

I know, it’s all about making money and keeping interest alive in an extra half-dozen cities at this time of year. And around here all we complain about is the Celtics shooting too many 3s.

∎There are six players with Big East connections, including PC’s Josh Oduro, at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this week and weekend. Traditionally, Portsmouth can be a steppingstone to the pros for several of the players who take part — including URI’s Jeff Dowtin, who played in the event previously and ended his season this year with the Philadelphia 76ers.

∎Retirement No. 2 this week came from Mike Gorman, best known (of course) as the long-time television Voice of the Celtics. What you might not remember, however, is Mike’s TV career in Providence — he was a predecessor of mine at WPRI Channel 12 in the 1980s, and prior to that, Mike was also a one-time Salty Brine sidekick on the “station that reaches the beaches,” WPRO.

Gorman’s 43-year career as Celtics’ voice also included time spent calling Big East games on the old Big East Television network with Dave Gavitt, as well as on ESPN. When I first arrived in Rhode Island in 1988 to follow him (and then Rick O’Brien) at WPRI, I was also going to join Mike doing Big East games on TV — but the Friars’ radio gig presented itself as an option before we got that chance together.

“Got it!” Mike is, as he appears to be, easy to talk to. Friendly, cordial, professional. His signature calls, short and sweet, are mimicked by hundreds of announcers — and occasionally, by me. That is, of course, a sincere compliment. For few have ever done it simpler, or better.

∎Has the WNBA, and its’ draft, ever had this much interest? Probably not, and no. Call it the Caitlin Factor, of course, since Clark was the top pick (duh!) of the draft this week. She was also a star on NBC’s "Saturday Night Live," too, so you know you’ve arrived when they joke about you.

∎My buddy “Big E” sez he has finally learned how to keep secrets after all these years. It’s the people he tells them to that can’t.

∎ICYMI: The NFL is now allowing each team to have a third helmet design beginning this next season. But unless you already have a uniform redesign started (and the Patriots do not), then it’ll be 2025 before a new helmet can debut.

What would a third, alternate helmet for the Pats look like? I dunno about you, but a red helmet with the Flying Elvis on it might look sharp. With red jersey/white pants, or white jersey/red pants?

∎NFL Draft 2024 update: Can we get this thing started already?

Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. Whichever one is there at No. 3, let’s go. And no, neither one will be the next TB12. Get past that.

∎You thought maybe that the last couple of rough seasons were all the payback New England would get from the NFL for 20 years of dominance? LOL. The Persecution of the Patriots by the Powers That Be in the NFL continues by virtue of receiving the second toughest schedule for next season.

Of course, this really isn’t true. It’s the rotation of the NFL schedule by playing different divisions every year. But I like that first narrative better. You?

More: Robert Kraft reportedly played 'big part' in Falcons not hiring Bill Belichick

∎“Get up!” Also stepping back from the microphone: Jack Edwards is retiring as TV voice of the Boston Bruins following his 19-season ride on NESN and 45 years in sports journalism. I recall Jack as an anchor and reporter for WHDH and WCVB in Boston, followed by a move to ESPN and the "SportsCenter" desk before taking the Bruins’ reins.

”Boston is a hockey town again!” But Edwards got his start in New Hampshire and Rhode Island television, as some might recall, spending time as a reporter and anchor at WJAR Channel 10.

∎NIL update: Providence is, and has been, positioned well with Name, Image, and Likeness competition in the Big East. Same for URI in the Atlantic 10, so sez those who would know. But how much is enough? What do you need to payout to be successful?

Kansas leads the list of schools whose players are raking in the NIL dough and opportunities. How does a payout of $4 million last year sound to you? And this payout was to players on a team that was beaten in the NCAA Tournament second round.

∎The median Power Four/Five collective NIL payout this past season was $750K per team. And Student Athlete NIL reports they expect that number to double for next season even with several schools already paying out $1 million-plus and NOT reaching the NCAA Tournament.

We are most definitely NOT in Kansas anymore, Toto. Just sayin’.

∎Ed Cooley replaced Ivan Thomas on his staff this week at Georgetown with Rhody’s Kenny Johnson, who spent just two years on Archie Miller’s staff in Kingston before moving on. And this comes after resurrecting his career following time spent at Louisville during the corruption scandal and FBI investigation, and then subsequent firing from that school.

Thanks, Rams, for the (brief) memories.

∎The fourth "guest of honor"’" at our retirement party this week — is John Sterling. Like Mike Gorman, Sterling once plied his trade at the venerable “Voice of Southern New England,” WPRO, by spinning records as a disc jockey when Channel 630 played a pop music format in the 1960s.

Sterling called it a career this week as the 36-year radio voice of the New York Yankees — a position for which he will forever be known. “THHUUUUUHHHH Yankees win!” at the end of a game was as irritating to hear for Red Sox fans as it was enjoyable, undoubtedly, for Yankee fans to imitate.

As gracious as the day is long, Sterling spent part of his 64-year broadcasting career announcing Hawks and Braves games in Atlanta as well and was at the mic for Larry Bird’s memorable 60-point playoff game in 1985. "I think it's the greatest shooting exhibition I've ever seen!" he marveled late in the broadcast. "Larry Bird! What more can you say? Larry Bird! Larry Bird!"

Johnny Most couldn’t have intoned that any better. John Sterling, what more can you say?

And there’s nothing weird about that, amiright?

Interested in having your questions on Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Think out loud and send your questions, comments, and local stories to jrbroadcaster@gmail.com. We’ll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/threads right here! Join me on Twitter/X, @JRbroadcaster…on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke, and on Instagram and Threads @JRbroadcaster.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 4 broadcasting legends, 3 with Rhode Island ties, are turning off the mic