Love or loathe Dick Vitale, you have to hope for a full recovery from surgery on his vocal chords. Vitale had the surgery to deal with ulcers on the left vocal chord. He will be unable to call games until at least February. "The past six weeks have been very emotional (for) me and for my family as we've visited some of the most outstanding throat specialists," Vitale said in a letter posted on ESPN.com. "Visiting college campuses and interacting with the fans has kept me so young and energized. I can't wait to get back out there, having a blast with all of you, who are so vital to our game."Vitale is 68 and has been calling games for ESPN for over 28 years. During his recovery, Dick Vitale won't be able to speak for about 3 weeks. That seems inconceivable. Over the last year or two, his voice has been getting scratchier and strained at times. Now we know why.
It's increasingly hard to remember, but even 15 years ago Vitale was one of the best color analysts in college basketball with only occasional emotional outbursts that actually matched the action. Not the growing self-caricature he has become ("Ooohhhh!!! Ooooohhhh!!! Look at that form on that free throw!!!! It's awesome, baby!!!"). It can be completely confusing to catch a game on ESPN Classic with Vitale doing color. He actually stuck to the game, didn't go off on mindless tangents and spoke in leveled tones.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. WHAT will we do??????????????? NO ONE to KISS the A** of NORTH CAROLINA and DUKE... I mean PUKE !!!!!
LETS ENJOY the NEXT 7 weeks.... unless one of the other ESPNers puckers up in his place.
Posted at 10:39PM on Dec 18th 2007 by Nick Douglas
2. Best Christmas Presant ever!!!!!
Posted at 10:40PM on Dec 18th 2007 by jonesmrj
3. Hey Nick, what's up with the "Puke" reference? Didn't think your mom had anything to do with the blog, but I could be wrong.
Posted at 1:08PM on Dec 19th 2007 by Dave
4. Dislike him as a sportscaster, just a big mouth. Especially dislike that he is using the "Dickie V" nick name, that should be used only for the late great "Jimmy V"
Posted at 1:09PM on Dec 19th 2007 by Leo Stevens
5. Soooooo now he can recover at home and count his money.Hate is a very strong word,so I will say I dislike Viatle lots.I hope he gets well.....but I also hope he decides to retire..
Posted at 1:12PM on Dec 19th 2007 by caliblue2007
6. Dick,
get well soon, we are looking forward to see and hearing you back on the courts.
Posted at 1:12PM on Dec 19th 2007 by Jim