LOS ANGELES >> The calls became so memorable. The catch phrases soon morphed into part of the sport’s lexicon. The streak has remained unbeaten.
Hence, it only seemed natural the late Lakers announcer Chick Hearn was honored on Sunday in what would have marked his 100th birthday. If not for Hearn’s passing on Aug. 5, 2002, his longtime broadcasting partner believes he would have been at the Lakers-Hawks game at Staples Center to accept the honor in between calling the action.
“Somebody would have had to literally take the mic away from him,” said Stu Lantz, the Lakers’ longtime television color analyst.