Shazam! Al McCoy honored for 50 years as voice of Phoenix Suns
Mar 2, 2022, 10:16 PM | Updated: Mar 3, 2022, 12:14 am
The Phoenix Suns honored longtime play-by-play announcer Al McCoy for 50 years of broadcasting excellence during Wednesday night’s 120-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
McCoy, who is currently the longest-tenured broadcaster for an NBA team, began calling games for the Suns in September 1972.
The team showed this tribute video, which led to a standing ovation for McCoy.
50 years of Shazams.
Thank you, Al, for all you've done to impact basketball history. 🎙 pic.twitter.com/wgeq2Qhcuk
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 2, 2022
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“I could never imagine what I’ve been able to do and the breaks that have been mine,” the 88-year-old McCoy told Arizona Sports Bickley & Marotta on Wednesday morning. “I grew up on a farm. I was always a big sports fan. I listened to radio broadcasts night and day.
“I always in the back of my mind thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great some day to be at the Garden in New York or at the stadium in Chicago broadcasting a sporting event?’ … It was Jerry Colangelo who gave me the opportunity to be the voice of the Suns. I certainly always remember him giving me the opportunity because that’s how it started.”
The video included his kids Mike and Jay; Suns Ring of Honor member Joe Proski and fellow play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch. It also featured former and current players, owners and commissioners such as Devin Booker, Kevin Johnson, Cam Payne, Tom and Dick Van Arsadale, Steve Nash, Jerry Colangelo and Adam Silver.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 2, 2022
Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson and analyst Kenny Smith got in on the tribute as well.
Of course, former Suns Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal had a heartfelt message for McCoy.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 2, 2022
And paying his respects for calling all his “wham-bam-slams” was Suns center Deandre Ayton, who sported shirt during warmups honoring McCoy.
Deandre Ayton looking to step up tonight with no Devin Booker in the lineup. #ValleyProud @AZSports pic.twitter.com/7GhjklU0jN
— Jeremy Grant Schnell (@JGSports_6) March 3, 2022
McCoy was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2017. He received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Suns named their press room the Al McCoy Media Center in 2007.
“The fans have always been the most important part of my broadcast,” McCoy said. “I love the fans and I always want to thank them for accepting me the way they have. The fans have made it a special 50 years, no doubt about it.”
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