Chuck Swirsky discusses his departure from Toronto

Gang of Four · Post #21 » by **Gang of Four** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:49 am

I don't like Chuck Swirsky at all but it is sad to hear the reasons he left.

22haytham22 · Post #22 » by **22haytham22** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:08 am

Damn i feel like a douche for ripping him on twitter, even tho he blocked me for it but im sorry Chuck!! true voice of raps!

illestplaya · Post #23 » by **illestplaya** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:28 am

BlackFalcon wrote:Well I'm glad the truth out there at last. There was too much garbage and speculation around the situation that was untrue. Chuck did the right thing 100% in my mind. I can't fault a man for trying to save and/or take care of his family. But I wish things could've worked in Toronto although I realize that things happen for a reason. I really hope Chuck is in a good place because he deserves it. I always loved and admired his passion for Raptors basketball and he will never be forgotten. Maybe one day he'll return (I'll keep my fingers crossed), but I don't want to deny Matt Devlin because I feel like he does his best as well, which is all I can ask. I really do miss Chuck though. ONIONS BABY, ONIONS!

I feel like devlin is the kinda guy that watches the raps game cause he has too...where as chuck felt more like he was watching the game cause there was nothing else he would rather be doing.

Los Manos · Post #24 » by **Los Manos** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:28 am

I guess Chuck's wife just had enough of his NBA facials...

Jokes aside, It's news to me that people had been ripping Chuck for leaving (not the keenest on twitter/facebook) as I had assumed when first reported that he was leaving for 'family reasons' that it was due to a health issue in his immediate family. I didn't know about his mariage issues though but family has to come first over your job, especially when you have children.

Chuck's passion for the raptors and the city was infectious and I credit him as much as anybody for igniting my fanaticism of this team. Back in the day, long before video streams I listened to every game on the fan590 and chuck's play-by-play was incredible. He really painted the picture like no other radio guy I had heard. On TV he was great too (perhaps the catchphrases got a little annoying) but I've never heard a guy call a game over the radio as expertly as him.

We miss you Chuck.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5bqF4VDSx4[/youtube]

*Btw does anybody know where I can listen to Eric Smith/Jonesy play-by-play online? I've looked before with no joy and with the state of this team right now I'd rather listen and do something ese productive than have Devlin/Jack/Leo talking crap half the game which forces me to watch the action. It seems every stream out there is blacked out for raptors games with old show repeats replacing the broadcast.

JamesNaismith · Post #25 » by **JamesNaismith** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:34 am

Chuck is the man (period).

mowe · Post #26 » by **mowe** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:08 am

22haytham22 wrote:Damn i feel like a douche for ripping him on twitter, even tho he blocked me for it but im sorry Chuck!! true voice of raps!

Dude are you serious? I don't understand why people do stuff like this. A man makes a decision for his own reasons he doesn't need people getting on his case about it.

Los Manos wrote:[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5bqF4VDSx4[/youtube]

I don't like to bring this up again but that video proves why Chuck was a much better commentator than Devlin. Chuck did a great job calling the action and being on top of the play for a memorable moment. Devlin is horrible with keeping up with fast moving plays and would have completely botched the call.

And by the way, the NBA prohibits online radio streams of its games so it's going to be tough to find a link of Eric/Jones.

Clutch Carter · Post #27 » by **Clutch Carter** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:24 am

Los Manos wrote:*Btw does anybody know where I can listen to Eric Smith/Jonesy play-by-play online? I've looked before with no joy and with the state of this team right now I'd rather listen and do something ese productive than have Devlin/Jack/Leo talking crap half the game which forces me to watch the action. It seems every stream out there is blacked out for raptors games with old show repeats replacing the broadcast.

Strange, I've had no issues listening to the games online at fan590.com. They were blacked out last year for me, but so far so good this year.

Coconut · Post #28 » by **Coconut** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:26 am

22haytham22 wrote:Damn i feel like a douche for ripping him on twitter, even tho he blocked me for it but im sorry Chuck!! true voice of raps!

mangos · Post #29 » by **mangos** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:28 am

Chuck wasn't always a credible source of information about the team and I don't miss his total inability to provide balanced commentary. That said, I guess he was paid to sugarcoat things.

Things haven't really improved with Devlin, of course. Devlin is bland and unlikable, whereas Chuck had that infectious enthusiasm that made it difficult to dislike him.

I'm surprised that people went at him personally for leaving. I was relatively active here back then and I don't remember anything like that. Why on earth would anyone do that? It was clearly for personal reasons. There should be an age limit for using the internet.

Macho · Post #30 » by **Macho** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:34 am

Chucks a raptor legend no matter what.

Remember when he complained about a thread on Realgm and it got closed?

Los Manos · Post #31 » by **Los Manos** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:45 am

Clutch Carter wrote:
Los Manos wrote:*Btw does anybody know where I can listen to Eric Smith/Jonesy play-by-play online? I've looked before with no joy and with the state of this team right now I'd rather listen and do something ese productive than have Devlin/Jack/Leo talking crap half the game which forces me to watch the action. It seems every stream out there is blacked out for raptors games with old show repeats replacing the broadcast.

Strange, I've had no issues listening to the games online at fan590.com. They were blacked out last year for me, but so far so good this year.

Thanks for letting me know I'll try next game. I hadn't tried to listen this season under the assumption that it would be the same situation as the last few years. If you're right then that would be brilliant to have a chance to listen to the radio play by play again.

dafan590 · Post #32 » by **dafan590** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:50 am

Los Manos wrote:
Clutch Carter wrote:
Los Manos wrote:*Btw does anybody know where I can listen to Eric Smith/Jonesy play-by-play online? I've looked before with no joy and with the state of this team right now I'd rather listen and do something ese productive than have Devlin/Jack/Leo talking crap half the game which forces me to watch the action. It seems every stream out there is blacked out for raptors games with old show repeats replacing the broadcast.

Strange, I've had no issues listening to the games online at fan590.com. They were blacked out last year for me, but so far so good this year.

Thanks for letting me know I'll try next game. I hadn't tried to listen this season under the assumption that it would be the same situation as the last few years. If you're right then that would be brilliant to have a chance to listen to the radio play by play again.

You may need to connect to the radio stream before the pregame show starts.

junot111 · Post #33 » by **junot111** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:53 am

I was just thinking a couple of days ago how I missed Chuck Swirsky

mangos · Post #34 » by **mangos** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:01 am

22haytham22 wrote:Damn i feel like a douche for ripping him on twitter, even tho he blocked me for it but im sorry Chuck!! true voice of raps!

Maybe you should apologize to him?

tiger7 · Post #35 » by **tiger7** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:32 am

Swirsk>Devin. Class act good to hear things are looking up for him in Chicago. Sad to hear of his personal troubles but that's completely understandable why he would leave under those circumstances. Chuck if you want to come back to T.O I'm sure the city would love to have you here again.

Randle McMurphy · Post #36 » by **Randle McMurphy** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:13 am

Yeah, Swirsky caught a lot of flack when he left from some Raptors fans for no reason at all. It's good the truth (which had long been rumored) is finally out.

Unlike Devlin (who actually makes me want to watch the games less), Swirsky is a fantastic PBP man. Always has been. If the job here opens again at some point, I hope he considers coming back.

C_Money · Post #37 » by **C_Money** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:30 am

WOW!!! I thought he just left because he was from Chicago. I had no idea he was going through a living hell at that time. It sounds like he's got some problems.

Vinsane15 · Post #38 » by **Vinsane15** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:03 am

I got nothing but love for Swirsk. One time during 2001-2002, my dad met him at the subway. I was a just a kid then. He told chuck that I was a huge Raptors fan. It was in the middle of rush hour and Chuck was cool enough to stop, take a photo with my dad, have a small chat with him and sign an autograph for me...

/random sorry

)

Post #39 » by **gojoorange** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:42 am

All class.

G.A. Clone · Post #40 » by **G.A. Clone** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:13 pm

Damn, this interview makes me miss Chuck more and shows how much more passionate he is compared to Devlin.