ESPN's Dick Vitale, who had surgery to repair his vocal chords, plans to return to broadcasting games with the February 6th showdown between Duke and North Carolina:A scope and analysis of Vitale's throat by Dr. Steven Zeitels in Boston revealed that the broadcaster has recovered sufficiently after the removal of the non-cancerous lesions.
"I was in tears when he asked me to speak my first words since the surgery," Vitale wrote in a letter to fans. "Believe me, it was very difficult to go 3½ weeks without speaking! When he had me count to 10, I was so relieved."
It seems a fitting comeback game for Vitale, who is mocked as "Dookie V" and also glowing of North Carolina to return to action. He does most of the UNC-Duke games over the years and has been part of some of the most memorable calls in this memorable series.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
1-13-2008 @ 9:37PM
George Koger said...
Thank you for the warning. I can turn off the sound and not have to listen to his iratating comments. Vitale should be on a children's program.
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1-13-2008 @ 9:49PM
GreatR said...
I doubt anyone missed the loud mouth. I can't imagine why anyone wants to listen or see him. Must be a East Coast taste.
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1-14-2008 @ 12:51AM
Don said...
Please give us a break and leave Dickie home. Yea Gads!!! It has been so quiet without him.
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1-14-2008 @ 6:24AM
badgolfer78 said...
I for one will glad when he returns. I miss hearing up up and away. He also is very knowledgable when it comes to college hoops.
Welcome back Dick and I hope you are feeling better.
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1-14-2008 @ 6:44AM
JOHN said...
i am happy DICKIE V is coming back i think he know alot about college basketball and he adds excited to the annoucer table
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1-14-2008 @ 6:53AM
garrick1967 said...
Wow! A lot of critics. I hope even they can appreciate a future hall of famer for broadcasting. You have (or at least should)...give in to the fact that he brings character to the sport. I can see where people would find him irritating and annoying, but if you put that in perspective with just a handful of other announcers in the past like him that stand out with their own signature voice and broadcasting style, then he is in great company. ie. Howard Cosell for one. I am not as well versed on the names but I can remember a couple of big time announcers that differenciated themselves with their own style. Good luck Mr. Vitale
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1-14-2008 @ 7:16AM
Cameron said...
Hey, I glad he is feeling better but do you think it's possible he could stay at home and count to a trillion. He really agitates me when I'm trying to watch a good BB game.
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1-14-2008 @ 7:39AM
Pmd12931 said...
Yipes! He has to be the biggest know-it-all of them, but others have tried to take his place in hogging the show, so I am smart enough in watching that I don't need their comments and opinions, and I press the MUTE button!
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1-14-2008 @ 7:56AM
Jan said...
My husband and I have not missed Dick's commentary with the college basketball games. In fact, we mute the sound when he is on or just change channels. I do not feel he is an asset to the game of basketball or ESPN.
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1-14-2008 @ 8:29AM
Jack said...
Thats a great game to come back on. Too bad Billy Pecker er PaACCker cant be with him. This will be the only game UNC plays that they may call a foul on Hansbourgh.
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1-14-2008 @ 8:33AM
zoner2693 said...
If Dickie V is going to a children's progam maybe you shoud tune in to brush up on spelling
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1-14-2008 @ 8:39AM
el said...
Oh Goody...why don't he just go far far away, Baby?!
I can't STAND his love for those pukey Dukies & it's NOT fair that he can be so biased while others are'nt allowed to. He's not so great or as they say:
"legendary"...only in his mind & his behind. Even my Husband, who's a huge sports fan hates Vi"smell" now. Tied with Chris "go back where you came from" Berman. Ugh. The WORST? Stephen Smith. Yuk. Racist!
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1-14-2008 @ 8:40AM
Lisa said...
Oh boy! I'm sure he got 100% better to have the chance to give a one sided commentary in Dukes favor against UNC!
5
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1-14-2008 @ 8:41AM
M R Kennedy said...
College basketball has not been the same without Dickie V. Glad to hear he will be back for the greatest rivalry in all of college sports.
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1-14-2008 @ 8:44AM
foxden said...
I think it's great you are letting us know in adavance about his return. Maybe some good golf will on!
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1-14-2008 @ 9:07AM
Tom Kappy said...
How about Him and Cris Berman getting together.Maybe do a soccer match in Bosnia!!!Can you say (Retire) Gee I knew you could...
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1-14-2008 @ 9:11AM
Tom Kappy said...
How about Dikie V. & Cris Bermann getting together and do a soccer match, say in Bosia..Can you say (Retire) gee I knew you could!!!!
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1-14-2008 @ 9:12AM
Bama said...
TARGETING DUKE GAME FOR A COMEBACK? DUKE BASKETBALL MADE HIM.
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1-14-2008 @ 9:14AM
engarde68 said...
Dick Vitale is a brilliant and charismatic coach. However, I don't enjoy him as a broadcaster because he can't curb his natural enthusiasm. By the way, I also admire Ernie Harwell as a person, but turned the sound off during his baseball commentary.
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1-14-2008 @ 9:16AM
Jerry said...
Although Dick's is annoying. Most basketball announcers are now because during the game they continue to offer cute stories about players that nobody wants to hear. TV announcers should be required to listen to radio announcers to learn how to proberly call a game.
Jerry from Nashville
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