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Voice of the Raptors leaving for Chicago

WILLIAM HOUSTON

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 10:48 AM EST 13/05/08

Chuck Swirsky is ending a 10-year stint in Toronto to call Bulls games on radio ...Read the full article

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  1. Joseph Daniel from Oakville, Canada writes: Wow that was sudden. I know a lot of people don't like the Swirsk, but I don't mind him at all. thought he brought a fun aspect to his broadcast. Best wishes Swirsk
  2. boom boom from Canada writes: Will miss salami and cheese!
  3. A A from Canada writes: Gonna miss Chuck! I loved his passion and energy.

    I think he did like Toronto and is not paying lip service.

    Come back any time!
  4. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: Wow that sucks! I don't know who can replace Chuck he is the best play by play man and creates so much excitement with his calls.
  5. Gern Blandston from Missasausage, Canada writes: Yeah, this sucks. I'll always remember.."T-Mac to the rack - KABOOM!"

    That was a classic!

    Good luck Chuck!
  6. The Business from Canada writes: I'm sad to see Chuck go -- he's one of the good guys -- but to be perfectly honest with you I prefer listening to Paul Jones and Eric Smith anyway. (They do the Raps radio coverage.) They've really gelled as a unit, clearly love and understand the game, and would be ideal candidates for bigger exposure.

    Nonetheless, good luck to the Swirsk!
  7. g f from Thornhill, Canada writes: He did a superb job in introducing and then educating many Canadian fans about basketball. Similar to the job Tony Kubek did on baseball when the Jays started, except Chuck did it with with pizza, I mean pizzazz! His love of and knowledge of the game was always evident.
    The previous writer was correct - Smith and/or Jones should get a long look as Swirsky's replacement - not the graybeards who do other sports around town who really don't know the game that well.
  8. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: Nooo!

    Get out the salami and cheese, Chuck is gone.

    He probably left coz everyone whined so much about him. They'll miss him when he's gone.
  9. AL MOS from Canada writes: Gotta disagree with the comments about the radio crew. While they do love the game and seem like good guys, Jones is basically talentless as a play by play voice. In my opinion, he always sounds like he's imitating a play by play call as opposed to doing one - just doesn't have the pipes.
  10. Sean O'Reilly from Canada writes: Best of luck Chuck.

    Big shoes to fill.
  11. Nolan Kerr from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Chuck is great at what he does and surely will do fine in Chicago. But, I am suprisingly happy to know that I don't have to listen to the same catch phrases anymore...Oh my Bosh!....Get out the salami and cheese mamma, this ball game is over!....That was sick, wicked and nasty! Great lines, if only used sparingly, not every game.
    I can only hope the Raps get another "character" to call their games.
    THANKS CHUCK!
  12. Stevie Dee from Canada writes: Gotta disagree. Leo and Chuck were fine for bringing in new uneducated fans, but if you know the game, I found them to be a little like a mother explaining why candy is bad to her 5 yr. old son. And talk about a homer, everything was through rose-coloured glasses.

    And, please, for the love of all things basketball do NOT give Paul Jones a chance! Those guys clearly love ball but cannot call a game. I remember Paul Jones as a PA anouncer at the Toronto-Michigan state all star games at Varsity arena in the 80's and guess what? He still sounds like a bad PA anouncer. Only difference is that he's been asked to do play-by-play!
  13. D D from Canada writes: Huh...and he just became a CDN citizen too...
  14. Bruce Spence from Toronto, Canada writes: Gotta agree with Stevie D.
    Chuck was so full of biased hype that it was nauseating.
    Good riddance to the Prince of Propaganda.
    Glad to see the Hype-meister go !!
    He also desperately needs to grow up & stop being so juvenile !!
  15. andy c from Canada writes: so the next time the raps play the bulls i might listen into the chicago radio feed. it'll be weird hearing him calling for another team
  16. dan ford from Mississauga, Canada writes: Does this mean this is the next logical media avenue for Gord Stellick... I think it is the only "Rogers" area he has not yet butchered with is endless illiteracy...
  17. Tom Richards from Canada writes: Chuck was the Bob Cole of basketball. Way too much of a homer.
    I formulated my opinion of him when the Vancouver Grizzlies were still around. Couldn't call an even game.
  18. DOUBLE J from Canada writes: I cant believe all the postive comments for this clown. By far the worst, most biased commentator in basketball. His stupid comparisons of every Raptor to great players. Andrea to Dirk, Bosh to Garnett, Jorge to Nash, give me a break! It was painful to listen to this guys ranting every game. I couldn't believe when the Raptors would be leading in the 3rd he would call games over and the in typical Raptor fashion they would blow it. I guess he was par for the course with a team that has a purple dinosaur for a mascot and techno music for warmups. Maybe they should follow teams like the Pistons and create an intimidating atmosphere. Try hiring an old pro with a persona of the Hot Rod Hundley from the Jazz or the late Chick Hearn.
  19. Nauman Haque from Toronto, writes: Say it aint so! Swirsk will be missed.
    Even when you see the games live, it's like something's missing because you don't get to hear Chuck and Leo/Jack.
  20. Moose Lion from Canada writes: Thank god. Could never stand the Leo and Chuck combo. Though I must say, Leo was the more annoying of the two.
  21. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: i'm ambivalent - don't really care one way or another, swirsk wasn't why i watched, and his leaving won't be a reason for me to not watch. but as far as being biased - i have to disagree. if any of you who are claiming that he/they are, then you haven't spent enough time watching/listening to other teams' play-by-play/colour guys. swirsk & leo/jack were no worse than any other team in that area, and are (er, were) certainly better than a fair number. say what you will about his style, but he clearly had a love for the raps & bball, and wanted them to succeed. i found his positivity for the raps refreshing, considering the negativity that seems to permeate, and reminded me that maybe things weren't as doom & gloom as some of us would like to believe. for sure, he pulled for the raps, but i remember on many occasions, especially during the tough stretch (read: the 2nd half of the season) when he was more than willing to come out & say that they weren't playing well. the one area that bugged me was his complete refusal to question coaching/GM moves, but that's sorta to be expected. anyway, good luck chuck. as for a replacement - too bad dan shulman's tied up w/ ESPN & various other gigs, he's my favourite play-by-play guy (in any sport), a great voice & feel for the game, never over does it, is willing to let 'the moment' carry itself (w/o talking over it), and canadian to boot. ah well, one can dream...
  22. Moose Lion from Canada writes: Good call Yertu. Schulman is the probably the best and most versatile guy out there. Though I have to say Gus Jonson is still my favorite (and yes, I was saying this long before BS made him quasi-famous)
  23. mark gallant from Canada writes: I don't know what people expect. The home crew is always biased; why wouldn't they be? They get paid by their teams and would develop a relationship with everyone on the team. Why is impartiality so important except for a national broadcast?

    Chuck's enthusiam was infectious, especially when things were even marginally good and he was a great ambassador. He made things exciting and will be missed. I am sorry to see him go. I can't imagine any one else doing as good of a job but will be curious to see who they can find.
  24. Lyn Ibson from Canada writes: Chuck will really be missed! Sure, he's a homer, but I love hearing the game called by a true fan. Leave the cynical wise guys and prima donas to the US networks! When times were toughest for the Raptors, Chuck felt it and expressed it, too, while he also kept the tone upbeat and entertaining. Always respectful to the other teams, as well. He works incredibly hard and I could never get over how he always responds personally to any emails or questions.
    He has always said family comes first and I guess it's true. He had no reason to get Canadian citizenship other than a genuine affinity for this city and country, so I'm sure this was a tough decision. And a tough loss for the Raptors.
  25. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: Yes...I can finally go back to watching Barney's games.

    You expect a team's announcers to be homers but Sworseky was a pap-spewing cheerleader. His overuse of the NBA jargon will not be missed.

    Unfortunately it is unlikely MLSE can afford Schulman (and he is probably under contract anyway).

    Now if BC can get around to my 2nd action item for the off-season and dump Rautens that would be sweet.
  26. D M from King City, Canada writes: While I don't like his hysterics, I do love his enthusiasm. For those who complains about him being a homer, just try listening to Tommy Heinsohn of the Celts or most other U.S. based announcers to really know what homerism means.

    Good luck Chuck! Family always comes first. Besides, after honing his skills in Canada all these years, he may eventually land a network gig, and big bucks, in the states.
  27. John Bulger from Kingston, Canada writes: Jerome Williams, anyone?
  28. Bobby S from Toronto, Canada writes: "g f from Thornhill, Canada writes: He did a superb job in introducing and then educating many Canadian fans about basketball. Similar to the job Tony Kubek did on baseball when the Jays started"

    Good comparison. I too liked Chuck. He was a homer, but that was his role, (ie) to take a city full of puck heads, and get them excited for hoops. I believe he did his job. He was here for 10 years, so he doesn't owe anything to anybody. Maybe his family got sick and tired of having to learn the metric system :-)
  29. Alan Hala from Jackson's Point, ON, Canada writes: Maybe now the Fan 590 in Toronto can get someone listenable between Noon and 4 PM. While I applaud his abilities and enthusiasm as a play-by-play caller, he was a phony on talk radio, always dropping names and using flowery terms and stats to mask the fact that he didn't know much outside basketball.
  30. Rob C from Canada writes: Chuck's a nice guy - he had a very American style about him...they'll find a suitable replacement - I have a lot of respect for Chuck, he became a Canadian citizen. John Saunders would be ok (a visible minority & a Canadian. The CBC might hire him for their games, he fits their requirements - if he was a woman with no experience, he would be a shoo in..Bon Chance Chuck! You did fine here (I won't miss the salami or the onions, but that's just my opinion). The Fan needs a stronger PM show, Chuck tried to jam the hoops stuff at his audience - we're casual fans - no one knows NBA trivia in Toronto. I hope the family stuff works out ok...I bet the wife missed home and this job came up - totally understandable...I would do the same to come back to TO - Chi-town is a great city.
  31. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: Tommy H is a very good analyst and the classic example of a homer vs. a cheerleader (like Chuckie). In Tommy's view the Celtics never ever foul, etc. But when the Celtics aren't playing well (like the previous few seasons) he is all over them (no mister nice guy, no sugar coating crap). Maybe he is given the latitude by the Celtics management but more likely it is because New England sports fans are more critical than in Toronto and they expect the same from their sports media.

    I hope the Barney's take this opportunity to upgrade both spots on their TV team. Forget the tokenism, get guys with NBA experience (Bob McCowen types who know NBA basketball).
  32. Jack Cunningham from Vancouver, Canada writes: "Onions, baby, Onions! Take out the Salami and Cheese. [Can't believe] It's is all over!"

    Good luck Chuck! Will be there to give you a standing ovation when Chicago comes to ACC.
  33. Never Wrong from 'roid room at SKydome Hotel, Canada writes: Ouch - I'll miss Chuck's tv commentary but not the radio show. I just listened for an hour this aft and Doug Farraway was much more entertaining but he's too hockey focused.

    the other ouch is that Dan Shulman just inked a new deal with ESPN in the past few months. In an interview on Prime Time he indicated that one key feature was that he'll be home on weekends in summer, so perhaps the travel is getting to him (that and Dick Vitale).

    Can't someone find a way to get Dan back on the air in Toronto - perhaps as the Raps full-time play-by-play voice and ALSO doing some Blue Jays?
  34. Frank Castor from Canada writes: I love Chuck, good luck buddy, most of us will miss you.
  35. Rich Chan from Vancouver, Canada writes: Yes, you never know what you have till it's gone. Chuck you weren't one of the biggest homers for the Raptors, because you even cheered when the opposing sides would hit key threes at critical moments. You will be missed. No more Dairy Queen comments, no more onions baby onions, no more salami and cheese. No more fun. Chuck was like Toronto's version of Dick Vitale and many fans couldn't appreciate that. Paul Jones has NO personality. Eric Smith has no personality. The only person currently in the crew that can come close to what chuck did is Jack Armstrong, and I hope he gets that position coming regular season time.

    PS Will some team get rid of Boston, they're really starting to annoy me.
  36. Toby Maloney from Canada writes: I don't need a commentator to tell me what to think, and I am capable of watching without their clever banter, so what matters to me is the basics, tell me the stuff I can' t get without the sound, like who got the foul off the ball. More about the coverage than the individual commentator. My pet peeves: 1. Talking about something else while the game is on (Monday Night Football has become the wrost example of this). shut up about movie stars, I can get that on E-Talk or whatever that show is my partner watches. 2. Running promos for other shows over the game. Like there aren't enough opportunities for commercials during regular stoppage in play including TV Timeouts. Speaking of which, I like getting updates from courtside, but the picture in picture while the game is on interferes with watching the game, and contributes nothing visually. 3. Speaking of promos, ABC and its increasingly tenuous connection between NBA playoffs and Desperate Housewives. The friggin wedding all last year, and this year I'm continually thanked by "stars" from this show I've never watched and never will. 4. The development of signature lines to be used at every opportunity. Salami and Cheese might have been all right once or twice, but every other game is a bit too "whaddyou talking about -- Dynoooooooomite -- Heyyyyyyyyyy!' In other words is just wears out like a cheap sitcom. Sorry, but that was Swirsky's weakest attribute.

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