One of the great sports broadcasters of all-time, Marv Albert turns 70 years-old today. To honor him and his marvelous career (pun intended), Steve Serby of the New York Post published his extensive interview with Albert.
Marv Albert is one of my favorite broadcasters ever. His voice is fantastic and he truly engages the audience with whatever game he is calling. He is great at telling stories but also focusing on the game at hand.
Albert is enthusiastic and has the right inflections when a big play happens. As a broadcaster myself, there are many things I try and take away from his games.
‘Marvelous Marv’ is the lead guy for TNT’s coverage of the NBA, usually paired with Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller and Craig Sager. His vivacious voice is obvious, on radio or television, whenever one tunes into a broadcast.
CBS announced last month that Albert will fill the vacant spot on their NFL coverage, created when Gus Johnson left for Fox.
Albert’s most-famous saying is “Yesss!” He explains how that came about.
“Sid Borgia was a very animated referee in the NBA; when a guy would go to the basket and get fouled, he would go, “Yes, and it counts!” We got a kick out of Borgia doing it. I can recall early in my career in a Knick playoff game, Dick Barnett hit a fallback baby jumpshot and I just said, “Yesss!” It seemed to just fit. It’s a feel as to when it comes up.”
Having the opportunity to broadcast so many games in a variety sports, it is hard for Albert to remember them all and pick a favorite. Having to choose, he believes his favorite radio call was Eli Manning’s pass to David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII.
“Eli Manning to Tyree. It was a difficult angle and I happened to have a good sight line. You could easily blow it on radio. Somehow, Tyree was able to hold the ball on top of his helmet…You don’t believe what you’re seeing.”
Albert was the radio and television voice of the New York Knicks from 1967 to 2004. He actually got his start with the Knicks coincidentally, as a ball boy.
“Being in the locker room when Red Auerbach would talk to and inspire his Celtics,” Albert said. “And I’ll never forget how Wilt Chamberlain would arrange this with me before the game — he would ask me to go out and get him four hot dogs for halftime. I’d get them late in the second quarter at the concession stand. I’d give them to Wilt and he would just engulf them.”
“We’d have mops and take care of certain wet spots on the floor. We used to really take our time just to get a little more TV exposure that way.”
Talking with former Pacers ball boys, it was completely different back then. After games, the players would take care of them and they would hang out…not so much the case today.
Going from ball boy to broadcaster is very unique because there are so few positions in both positions. I hope to mock his entrance into the broadcasting world.
I’ve been a ball boy for the Indiana Fever now for 10 years, and will be entering my 8th with the Pacers next season. I love hanging around the various teams, taking care of them and getting the best seat in the arena to every home game—but like Marv Albert, my passion is in calling games.
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Locally, many have wondered about Donnie Walsh who the Pacers general manager since the mid-80’s until recently moving to New York. The two parted ways this offseason, which Albert found ridiculous.
“I don’t know all the behind-the-scenes specifics, but I would have wanted to keep Donnie there two, three more years. He was on the right track. I really do feel he felt they gave up way too much for Carmelo Anthony. I think it became a matter of there’s a new Garden, we want to raise ticket prices…It was a marketing decision more than it was a personnel decision, although Carmelo is a big-time scorer. Donnie is one of the most respected guys in the business…it’s a shame.
As to whether this sets New York up for an Isiah Thomas return:
“How could that possibly happen with the resume you’re looking at?”