From Vinsanity To Salami and Cheese 1998 -2008
Yesterday the Dino Nation and Raptor Fans everywhere were shocked at the news that Chuck Swirsky was leaving. It honestly may have sounded like a bad internet rumour run wild. However, Chuck himself would announce he had resigned on his own Radio show on the Fan 590. I talked yesterday about my personal relationship with Chuck Swirsky as minor as it was. But the thing about Chuck is that many felt like they knew him. That is why you have seen a wide range of comments about his sudden departure to Chicago. The man gave Raptor fans 10 years of memories and became as big a star as many of the players he covered. You may have issues with Chuck Swirsky but it was clear that the majority of Raptor fans across this country loved him. He made many catch phrases famous among the Raptor fan base. He had T-shirts and bobbleheads and was a larger than life icon. He even became a citizen of Canada in this past winter. It makes this sudden departure all the more shocking to many. I can say to those who think he did this for money or advancement, that is ridiculous, as it is rare that you walk away from a T. V job to a radio job and make more money. Besides that Swirsky had a national audience in Canada and was known from coast to coast by Raptor Fans. The man selected his family in front of his career and no matter what you think of him as a broadcaster we all should respect that. I am certain Chuck Swirsky loved his job but what is also clear is he loved his family more. I added a quote from Jack Armstrong late last night and in case you missed it I will post it in this blog. I think Jack does an excellent job in summing up what has been said in this first paragraph.
Jack Armstrong:” I feel quite fortunate to have worked with Chuck the past 10 years in Toronto. He brought a level of passion, enthusiasm and fun to the broadcasts over the years that have captivated Southern Ontario and fans all across Canada. He is the consummate pro who was always prepared for every game and event he was involved in. A wonderful ambassador for the Raptors and the sport of Basketball. To say he absolutely loved working and living in Canada is an understatement-this was an incredibly tough decision for him I’m sure. Lots of folks say family comes first well in this case it actually did with his decision to depart for Chicago. It’s been a great run and when I look back at our 10 years together a big smile comes to my face from all the good times and laughs along the way even during those leans years that the Raptors experienced just a short time ago. He’ll be missed and he has set the bar at another level and helped grow the game. I’m proud to say I got an opportunity to work with him.”
It is hard to sum up 10 years in one blog. I will do my best to go through the Chuck Swirsky years. Ironically his start as his exit came under odd circumstances. He was hired to do radio for the Fan 590 along with Jack Armstrong. But the season did not start on time due to a labour stoppage. Swrisky and Armstrong would start in January and go through a season that had never been seen before. The long labour stoppage made the schedule a nightmare for players and broadcasters alike. But Swirsky would handle it like a pro and marched through a 50 game season in just several months. There were many stretches that saw 3 games in 4 nights. The season also saw the arrival of the man Swirsky would coin the phrases Vinsanity and Air Canada Carter. Vince in his early days made magic happen and Chuck was just has skilled at phrases making those moments great with his calls. Swirsky was the guy that helped build the Vince Carter legacy. His great calls created the hype and excitement that was Vinsanity. Vince Carter’s amazing skill and talent combined with Swirsky’s broadcasting skills made something special. They were like a modern Ali and Cosell of a different sport and different generation. But that relationship would sour as did Vince’s legacy in Toronto. But the highs of the Carter era will always be tied to Chuck Swirsky.
Swirsky would do much for many other raptors through his work. Matt Bonner became a cult hero with the fan base and “The Red Rocket” was named as such by Swirsky. Some guys never lived up to the Swirsky nicknames they were given. The Banger Brothers would be on top of that list. Joey Graham on the current roster has very rarely looked “Golden” to me ether. But Chuck did his best to build stars out the Raptor players. It is what the people of the WWE do so well but in the NBA sometimes players can’t live up to the script broadcasters lay out for them. If Chuck had any fault as a broadcaster that was it. Some fans felt that he built people beyond what they were, leaving them disappointed. People like Rob Babcock and others got the Swirsky stamp of approval and likely were not worthy of that. Some people lost respect for Chuck as a broadcaster based on those things. They also would grow tired of the growing list of catch phrases. But Chuck Swirsky was what many refer to as a “Homer” and he made no bones about it.
Many like that type of broadcasting and it is also why Swirsky became so beloved by the Raptor Fans across this country. There were many lean years for the Raptors in the dark days that lead to the dreaded Vince Carter trade. But Swirsky, always brought the same energy and passion to work with him everyday. Having watched this team through those years I give him tons of credit. I never could have got myself up 82 times a year to cover some of those brutal teams. He was a professional in that sense and did his job well no matter what the scoreboard would read. I have some minor experience at doing play by play and people think it is easy. Chuck Swirsky makes it look easy, but trust me it is not. It is a skill that take years to develop and be as good as Chuck is at his job. I have said before to people, mute your television and tape yourself calling the game. Video tape the game as well and play back your audio over the muted video tape. If you are not amazed at how bad you were, I would be shocked. There are only 30 jobs doing play by play in the entire NBA with the addition of your national networks in the U.S. It is a selected few that are able to be good enough to reach that level. Chuck Swirsky did and was very good at it. He broadcast to both a local and national audience in this country and became the face many associate with Raptors Basketball as much as they do Sam Mitchell, Bryan Colangelo or Chris Bosh.
The sudden departure of Swirsky has been almost like a death in the Raptor Family. But Chuck is alive and well and doing what is best for his family. I personally don’t need to know exactly what that is to say good for him. There is a lot of people that throw around moralistic terms like family values. But this is a living breathing example of them in action. I have had my differences with what Chuck did from a broadcasting point of view. But I have always said that he is a first rate human being and based on that I respect him. A job no matter how great, does not replace a family. I work from home based on my own family matters and I am fine with doing so. It is the right thing for me to do and how I can look myself in the mirror each morning. I have no doubt the choice Chuck has made is along the same lines as that. Most Raptor Fans are sad to see him go. But I hope after the shock wears off they can all wish Chuck Swirsky well and thank him for 10 years of great service. He will always be a part of Raptor History through his fine work over the past 10 years. Salami and Cheese may now just be something heard on a classic Raptor game. But it will not be forgotten. I respect Chuck Swirsky for having the Onions to do the right thing for his family and SO SHOULD YOU. So for all of the Raptor Fans “GET OUT THE SALAMI AND CHEESE THIS BLOG IS OVER”. But not with out saying you will be MISSED CHUCK SWIRSKY and you are a GOOD MAN.
The Dino Nation Blog has a New Home. Come Check Us Out There.
May 28, 2008 at 12:48 am |
[...] – Dino Nation Blog [...]