THE HAT SQUAD - REMEMBERING JIM HEALEY

Jim Healey, a celebrated sports announcer based in Los Angeles, passed away on this date twenty-one years ago.

From Wikipedia:

Jim Healy (1923 – July 22, 1994) was a longtime Los Angeles, California, sports commentator (KLAC, 1961–65; KFWB, 1969; KABC-TV, 1969–84; KLAC, 1973–82; KMPC, 1984–94), whose daily solo radio show featured a number of sound effects and audio clips ("drops") of famous sports personalities, which he played repeatedly to affect an acerbically humorous tone.

Excerpting from his entry on the "L.A. Radio: Where Are They Now?" list:

A one-of-a-kind sportscaster in Los Angeles for 43 years, Jim died July 22, 1994, at age 70 from complications of liver cancer. He began at KMPC in 1950, fresh out of UCLA, writing for broadcaster Bob Kelley. Jim wrote for Bob for 11 years. He hosted "Here's Healy" on KBIG and also worked at KFWB, KABC-TV and KLAC. Jim was the nightly sports reporter on KABC-TV/Channel 7... ..."Is... it... true?" became one of his trademark lines. His headstone at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn reads: "Jim Healy, 1923-94, IT IS TRUE.” ... In 1997 he was inducted into the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

I just finished watching the 'Run For Your Life' episode "A Game Of Violence" in which a boxing match took place to determine the champion of the world.  One of those boxers was Duke Smith, who was an old friend of Paul Bryan.  And Jim Healey was the announcer who called the fight.  (Chick Hearn was also credited as playing himself in the episode.)

Healey played unnamed announcers several times in Toobword and none of them need be relegated to alternate dimensions.  So why shouldn't they all be Jim Healey?

Cagney & Lacey
- Old Debts 

Matt Houston
T.V. Reporter
- The Rock and the Hard Place

Future Cop 

- Fighting O'Haven

The F.B.I. 
- The Hostage 

Run Buddy Run
Ring Announcer
- I Want a Piece of That Boy

Dr. Kildare 
- The Middle of Ernie Mann 

Ben Casey
- Preferably, the Less-Used Arm 

As you can see, Healey's contribution to 'Run For Your Life' was not listed, but then that's why I always refer to the IMDb as "Old Reliable".....

One day, Jim Healey will find himself inducted into the Television Crossover Hall Of Fame.

BCnU!