Earlier this month, Joe Posnanski posted his 32 best broadcasting calls to Sports Illustrated's web site. Good as it is, the list works equally well as a celebration of the American language.
You'll hear Howard Cosell on Foreman vs. Frazier ("Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!!!") and Chic Anderson on Secretariat's 22-pound heart ("Secretariat is widening now! He is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!"). Jack Buck and Vin Scully tie for fifth with their different takes on Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series dinger and Al Michaels's career-defining, real-time response to what became known as the U.S. hockey team's 1980 "Miracle on Ice"—“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”— takes the top spot. Our favorite? Bill King's reaction to Oakland's infamous "Holy Roller"/"Immaculate Reception" play and/or fumble against the San Diego Chargers. "The most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible dream of a play!" King said, in his amazement. "Madden is on the field. He wants to know if it’s real.... There’s nothing real in the world anymore!”
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Joe Posnanski's "Thirty-Two Great Calls"
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