Valley play-by-play voices share their thoughts on the legendary Al McCoy

History happens Friday night at Talking Stick Resort Arena when longtime Phoenix Suns play-by-play announcer Al McCoy becomes the 15th member of the franchise’s Ring of Honor.

It’s a well-deserved (and overdue) gesture honoring a remarkable trek that started long ago.

McCoy became the Suns’ play-by-play voice in 1972 and has really seen it all while eloquently describing the action to countless listeners and viewers over the years.

As McCoy prepares to enter the Ring of Honor, I asked other Valley play-by-play announcers to share their thoughts on the golden voice that has described Suns basketball for 45 years.

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Greg Schulte – Arizona Diamondbacks radio play-by-play

When I came to the Valley of the Sun in 1979 to work for KTAR Radio, I had the great fortune to meet and then come to know Al McCoy.

Al took me under his wing, and I began engineering Phoenix Suns radio broadcasts, as well as doing pre, halftime & post-game shows. I had that pleasure for 15 Suns seasons.

I sat next to Al as engineer, analyst, and even sat in for him handling play-by-play on a few different occasions. How about that pressure, filling in for a Hall-of-Famer.

You can imagine, sitting next to Al nightly, how much I learned under his tutelage. His professionalism, his preparation, his respect for the game of basketball are second to none.

Al always told me “it’s all about the game. Listeners are tuning in-and-out over the 3-hour broadcast. They’re interested in what’s going on at that moment, and they want the score. Never lose sight of that. Most importantly, keep your enthusiasm, regardless if it’s a tight game or a blow-out.” The close games are easy to call. They take care of themselves. You need to be at your best when it’s a lopsided game.” Don’t forget how fortunate we (broadcasters) are to do what we do.”

To this day when I tune-in a Suns broadcast, Al is calling the game with the same enthusiasm and professionalism he had when I sat next to him for 15-years. And you know what, he sounds as good today in 2017, as he did when I first met him in 1979.

Al knew my love of baseball. And, when Phoenix secured a major league baseball franchise, Al was instrumental in my hiring as radio play-by-play broadcaster, speaking with Jerry Colangelo and recommending me.

We still talk at least once, sometimes twice a week. We still listen to each other call ballgames. We’ve been very close friends over the last 38 years.

There’s little doubt in my mind that I am where I am (season #20 as the voice of the Diamondbacks) because of what I learned from Al McCoy. He’s the most important person in my broadcast career.

I missed calling two Diamondbacks games to be with Al at his Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts in 2007. I wouldn’t have missed that for anything.

The Suns Ring of Honor ceremony is long overdue.

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Dave Pasch – Arizona Cardinals radio play-by-play/ESPN Television

Al will always be the number one and most revered voice in the Valley. Al is part of NBA lore based on his longevity and excellence in play by play. I marvel at how Al doesn’t seem to age. He looks great. He sounds great, and should keep going as the voice of the Suns as long as he desires. Al was one of the first to welcome me to the Valley with open arms 15 years ago, and has remained a mentor and friend. Thank you, Al for all you’ve done for me, and how you continue to set the standard for play-by-play excellence in Arizona.

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Jeff Munn – Arizona State Women’s Basketball radio play-by-play/Longtime Valley broadcaster

Al’s influence on me is as much personal as it is professional. Obviously, during the years I was the P.A. announcer for the Suns, he and I got to know each other very well. In the time since, we’ve maintained a pretty close content with each other. He’s been a mentor, a hero, a friend and in many ways a father figure to me. Every once in awhile, he gives me a piece of advice that is very much fatherly.

That’s the measure of the man. He is as much known for his character as a human being as he is for his professionalism as a broadcaster.

I know a lot of people in sportscasting will focus in on his work as a sportscaster, and they should. One of the things that I admire most about Al, is I really categorize him as a broadcaster. He came to Phoenix to do sports, but in the time that he’s been here, he’s been a disc jockey, a program director, a news anchor in addition to all the sports that he did way before the Suns. Al can do anything you throw at him, even now. That, to me, is what sets him apart from anybody else.

I think he’s at the top of his game, still. Right now. I don’t mean over the 45 years, I mean today. He is still as good as anybody in the league. He’s prepared every night. He is detailed in what he describes. He mixes entertainment with information better than any broadcaster I’ve ever heard. Even now, and I don’t say this like I’m surprised he’s at the top of his game — I’m not surprised. He is a pro’s pro. People like that stay consistently good.

I’ve said for many years that people in Phoenix need to take a moment and step back and say “yes, Vin Scully was very important to L.A.” We’ve got a Vin Scully, and his name is Al McCoy.

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Bob Heethuis – Arizona Coyotes radio play-by-play

Unfortunately, I have only met Al once in all my years in Phoenix. I came to the Valley in 1992 and I think the first few years, I had the chance to meet Al. I’ll never forget it, it was a chance to meet a true legend in the broadcasting business.

Even though I don’t “know” him, I feel like I know him because as I go around different cities doing hockey, all the different engineers who sometimes work with Al — because a lot of the engineers do NBA games as well — they always ask about him and say what a great guy he is.

There are so many things I respect about him. The passion and the love for the game that shows in his broadcasts. When you listen to Al McCoy, the first thing that strikes you is that silky voice. All of us that do play-by-play would love to have that voice. Unfortunately, very few of us do. That lures you in and keeps you there, but it takes more than just a great voice. But for me, Al always shows a passion for the Suns and the game of basketball.

It’s always an entertaining and insightful broadcast when you listen to Al. I think he’s the gold standard for broadcasters, not only in the Valley, but throughout the whole industry.

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