Al McCoy, longtime voice of the Phoenix Suns, dies at age 91
Sep 21, 2024, 2:31 PM
Al McCoy, who spent 51 years as the voice of the Phoenix Suns, died on Saturday, the NBA team said in a statement.
He was 91 years old.
McCoy called his final game for the Phoenix Suns on May 11, 2023.
He took over the reins in 1972, marking the longest stretch for a broadcaster with a single team in NBA history.
McCoy will always be remembered for his “shazam!” call whenever the Suns hit a three-pointer. His long list of McCoy-isms included “oh, brother!” in times of turmoil or confusion, “wham bam slam!” whenever a Suns player dunked the ball, plus “zing go the strings!” and “twine time!” when a player swished a jumper.
RELATED STORIES
Al McCoy became the voice of the Phoenix Suns
McCoy put together an illustrious career, winning the Curt Gowdy Media Award at the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2007. He was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, the Iowa Hall of Pride in 2015 and the Suns’ Ring of Honor in 2017.
The Suns honored McCoy on April 9, 2023, and gave the Hall of Famer a chance to say goodbye to the oldest fanbase in Valley sports. He continued on the call through that postseason before hanging up the headset.
“It’s been, as I have said so many times as of late, 51 years have slid by and it has been a great ride,” he said that night.
“Thank you for allowing me to tell the story of the Suns for 51 great years.”
“As a father, he taught us the value of respect, loyalty, hard work, and love – both on and off the court,” the McCoy family said in a statement. “His passion, dedication and kindness touched countless lives, and while he may be gone, the impact he made will be felt for generations to come.”
McCoy’s last notable moment in the spotlight came in May when he helped the Suns welcome new head coach and Arizona native Mike Budenholzer to Phoenix.
“I had the privilege of Al McCoy narrating the first eight years of my career,” Devin Booker said. “He was inducted into the Ring of Honor my second season, and it was then I really understood what a special talent he was. And over the course of my career, I’ve learned what an even more special person he was. We will miss Al, and I am so glad our legacies in Phoenix are forever connected.”
Jon Bloom took over as the radio play-by-play voice of the Suns after McCoy’s retirement.
