R.I.P. Dr. Jack Ramsay

WD · Post #1 » by WD » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:04 pm

He passed away last night

R.I.P

SunSportsHEAT ‏@SunSportsHEAT 4m
From all of us at Sun Sports & on behalf of #HEAT fans everywhere, sending our condolences to the Ramsey family. Simply the best. #RIPDrJack

Eric Reid ‏@EReidMiamiHeat 1m
@SunSportsHEAT >Ramsay.

Hall of Fame coach remembered for his passionate approach while working Heat games as television commentator. "He was a world-champion person," Tony Fiorentino says.

CHARLOTTE—
Dr. Jack Ramsay, the passionate former Miami Heat television analyst and Hall of Fame coach, died Monday following a lengthy battle with cancer.

A member of the Heat's television team before the franchise's championship era, Ramsay worked the team's games alongside play-to-play broadcaster Eric Reid, known for his gusto in calling slam dunks and detailing games in a matter that both showed his championship pedigree while also relating to the casual follower.

He was 89. ESPN reported family members said he passed peacefully in his sleep in Naples, where he would commute from during his tenure calling Heat games.

Current Heat television analyst Tony Fiorentino said Monday that Ramsay was inspirational to be around.

"Well, obviously Dr. Jack was beloved by everyone," he said. "It reminds me of the feeling I had when [former Detroit Pistons coach] Chuck Daly died. To me, those two guys, there isn't anyone that you could find anywhere that would say anything bad about either guy. And Jack was just a great coach, great person, great statesman for the man.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 7968.story

MiaFLSurf · Post #2 » by **MiaFLSurf** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:05 pm

For those that have been Heat lifers, Dr. Jack remains the greatest part of Heat broadcasting.

For 8 years he was the sound of my youth - LENARD, THUNDA, THE SLAMMA-JAMMA.

A true legend.

Today, Dr. Jack passed away at age 89.

I recently spoke with Dr. Jack. He and I shared stories the past few years. He spoke highly of the Heat, loved his time here, and especially loved Riley. We spoke about Lebron, the new era of the NBA, and surprisingly Bill Simmons (he couldn't stand him, thought he had agendas, and said his analysis of basketball was pretty poor - HA).

True legend, and even greater dude.

RIP friend!

Post #3 » by **BFRESH44** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:15 pm

RIP. Was a pleasure to hear him commentate Heat games aside E.Reid over the years he did.

Heat_Fan_87 · Post #4 » by **Heat_Fan_87** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:17 pm

RIP

Win tonight for Dr. Jack

Picklewagon · Post #5 » by **Picklewagon** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:25 pm

Guy used to drive back and forth from naples every home game to do the broadcast. Hated when he left the heat broadcast team.

Gwynplaine · Post #6 » by **Gwynplaine** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:32 pm

RIP...

It was always great listening to you Doc.

Lord Hades · Post #7 » by **Lord Hades** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:32 pm

I'd just heard he was in hospice the other day. Loved his passion and color on the broadcast. Pretty much every bit of commentary I ever heard or read about him was positive, not simply for what he accomplished in the game, but also what type of person he was.

RIP

Post #8 » by **kyphi** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:01 pm

crud, I know we all go. Dr. Jack was so good at explaining basketball instead of repeating the obvious like so many broadcasters do now

Have fun up there, Dr. Jack

SWadeUP · Post #9 » by **SWadeUP** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:50 pm

This is super sad.

I'll never forget how he said Thunder dan Marles name.

Prayers go out to his family.

Altered_Beast · Post #10 » by **Altered_Beast** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:02 pm

Zo with that stuffas and that duffers!!!!

This away that away HARDAWAY!!!!

rip Dr.jack. when I first started watching basketball he's the first voice I remember calling games. Happy that he got to live a long active life and passed away peacefully. All heat fans who heard him I'm sure will feel the same

Edit: I didn't know Ramsay was battling cancer! Still sad to see a legend go

Sent from my Nexus 7 using RealGM Forums mobile app

Vertical Limit · Post #11 » by **Vertical Limit** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:11 pm

Great Heat broadcaster, coach, and probably the best analyst ESPN ever had. Now they fill their panels with clowns that repeat the same cliché every single day.

Post #12 » by **unowen85** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:21 pm

Loved Dr. Jack and Eric Reid broadcasts. Best broadcast team in the history of all sports.

MHeat0279 · Post #13 » by **MHeat0279** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:24 pm

i loved LOVED watching heat games when he was with Eric, Lenardddd, mash with the splash, oh man i have been missing him since he left the heat, may he rest in peace, you will always be remembered Jack

WD · Post #14 » by WD » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:08 pm

Hyde5: The unique life of Dr. Jack Ramsay

1. I just came from a casual hotel breakfast where Heat media sat around tellling Dr. Jack Ramsay stories, including broadcaster Eric Reid, who worked for years with Ramsay. Rich stories. Fun stories. Ones that told of the great life of Ramsay, who died at 89.

One generation of sports fans know him only as a TV broadcaster, and Heat viewers were lucky enough to hear him belt out trademark lines like, "Slammer!" and "Lenard!" (when Voshon Lenard hit a shot).

But look at the rare life Ramsay led: a NAVY seal during World War II; earner of a doctorate degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania; a successful college basketball coach at St. Joseph's in Philadelphia before moving to the NBA stage, where the higlight was winning a title with Portland in 1977.

Read those achievements again. Any one of those would be the highlight of a good life. And Ramsay achieved all of them. And more.

He was unique, too. As a coach, he'd need time to unwind after games and so would walk the miles from the arena to the hotel. He'd sweat so profusely he put napkins under his armpits, and occasionally bits of napkin would fly out when he made a quick move with his arm.

As Heat broadcaster, he'd drive from Miami at night to Naples after games (with a six-pack of Coke and a gun - strange things can happen at night on Alligator Alley). He'd then swim in the ocean each morning to train for the triathlons he competed in, even into his 70s.

What a great life led.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 9198.story

Post #15 » by **heat4life** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:10 pm

This is what life should be all about; creating positive memories and touching peoples lives. I have to say Dr. Jack left a boat load of memories for Heat fans that shared the passion of seeing the team grow from an expansion franchise to a regular playoff contender, all by just doing with passion what he loved the most. More fortunate are the ones who were directly touched by his actions through several of his philanthropy ventures off the public eyes. Those things go unnoticed sometimes but have a far larger effect in people that might need it the most.

R.I.P. Dr. Jack.

Post #16 » by **GameTime_3** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:21 pm

Wow! RIP Dr. Jack!

Only 2 announcers have ever changed the way I felt about Sports, DR. Jack and the Mad Dog, Jim Mandich!

Zo with that stuffaaaa!!!

This away that away HARDAWAY!!!!

Lenardddddd!! Leannnardddd!!!!

Thunder!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thunnnnddeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

FlaMoses · Post #17 » by **FlaMoses** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:04 pm

unowen85 wrote:Loved Dr. Jack and Eric Reid broadcasts. Best broadcast team in the history of all sports.

Ditto!!! RIP Dr Jack.

Sgt P · Post #18 » by **Sgt P** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:35 pm

RIP Dr. Jack Ramsay, I kinda was upset when left Heat broadcasting. He was awesome with Reid. Old guard. CLassic heat on Sunshine network, from some reason the audio was never stable.

caliban · Post #19 » by **caliban** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:11 pm

[tweet]https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/460827010185453569[/tweet]

dancing2thabeet · Post #20 » by **dancing2thabeet** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:14 pm

Oh man.

RIP