“Smith corks one into right down the line! It may go! … Go crazy, folks, Go crazy! It’s a home run! And the Cardinals have won the game … by the score of 3 to 2 … on a home run … by the Wizard! Go crazy!”
I get chills merely reading that quote.
Other, more competent bloggers will pay tribute to Mr. Buck far better than I could possibly dream of. I’m just doing my part here to remember a man with whom I grew up.
I was 27 years old when Mr. Buck died. When I got to work that afternoon, the office was busy… but quiet. That’s what I remember from that day, the stillness. People went quietly about their work, as if stopping would cause them to really think about what was lost.
A few days later, a colleague was pictured on the front page of The Post weeping at Mr. Buck’s memorial service at The Stadium.
The last memory I have of Mr. Buck is of Sept. 17, 2001, the first night that baseball resumed after 9/11. I was in awe, not only from his words, but by the sheer force of his will and determination to be out there doing what he could to help heal a nation.
John Francis Buck, Cardinal Nation misses you and will never forget you.
(logo courtesy Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page)
June 20, 2006 at 6:37 pm
Great post. I wasn’t old enough to have the pleasure of listening to Jack for years and years, but the few that I remember were pretty special. I can remember receiving my driver’s license and spending a lot of muggy summer nights with the windows down listening to Jack call his last games. Tough few days for Cards fans.
June 21, 2006 at 12:36 pm
I’ll have a tribute to Jack up tonight.