http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060118/SPORTS03/601180382/1051


30 SEASONS OF GEORGE BLAHA
BY BILL DOW
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

January 18, 2006

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/GlennDanzig/blaha_signing.jpg
Blaha signs autographs. Tom Wilson, Pistons president and CEO, calls him "a celebrity in his own right."

"Four and 26 to go, Chauncey on the sideline, lobs to Rasheed, Rasheed turns and faces, FIRES OFF THE GLASS AND HE HIT IT! COUNT THAT BABY AND A FOUL!"

In his 30th NBA season, with more than 2,600 games under his belt as the voice of the Pistons, George Blaha's up-tempo and unique play-by-play calls have thrilled fans since the days a once-struggling franchise sometimes hosted 4,000 diehards at Cobo Arena.

"I agree with people who tell me they like George's broadcasts because they're never boring. He can make a preseason contest sound like Game 7 of the NBA Finals," said Joe Abramson, in his 23rd season as Blaha's home game statistician. "He also does it without damaging the integrity of the game, because as George will tell you, he's not the show, the players are."

Blaha, 61, was raised in Iowa until moving to Grayling at age 13. He was a Minneapolis Lakers fan during the NBA's infancy and loved to practice play-by-play calls while spinning the arrow on his "All Star Baseball" board game.

"By age 10, I knew I wanted to be a sports broadcaster," said Blaha, who handles play-by-play duties on television or radio for all 82 regular-season Pistons games, plus preseason and postseason games. He can be heard on WDFN-AM (1130) and be seen on Channel 20 and Channel 4.

He didn't begin to seriously pursue his dream until graduating from Notre Dame and starting an MBA program at Michigan (a degree he finished). He wrote to Ernie Harwell for advice, and the former Tigers announcer suggested Blaha take a broadcast course.

He took the lessons, and then began announcing high school football games in the Thumb area for free. In the early '70s, he landed jobs in Adrian and then Lansing, where he broadcast MSU football games before taking a morning-drive news position with WCAR in Detroit.

When Pistons announcer Paul Carey decided in 1976 to concentrate on Tigers broadcasts, WJR newsman Tom Campbell suggested Blaha as a replacement to sports director Frank Beckmann.

Blaha got the job, and vividly recalls his first WJR broadcast from Cobo Arena.

"When I saw Bob Lanier and the Bullets' Wes Unseld come out for the opening tip-off, I thought, 'My God, this is a man's league, I better get ready,' " Blaha said. "After the game I was so excited that while driving home to Lansing I somehow ended up in Grosse Pointe."

The birth of 'Blahaisms'
Blaha has witnessed a once-struggling franchise and league grow by leaps and bounds in 30 years.

"At Cobo, we used to have some pretty small crowds, but the fans were real aficionados. If you were there, the game was your passion," Blaha said. "The league was surviving but when Dr. J (Julius Erving) joined the NBA and the milestone collective bargaining agreement was reached that addressed revenue sharing, salary caps, and drug enforcement, the NBA really took off. The NBA in the 1980's is as good a decade as in any sport."

When the Pistons' "Bad Boys" captured back-to-back titles in 1989 and '90, Blaha's popularity soared with fans fond of his trademark "Blahaisms" ("2 and 20 left in the third," "he fills it," "don't look now but we've got a two-point game.")

Blaha said his colloquialisms were born of the need to be brief about a sport that some say is the most difficult to broadcast.

"I think it's easier on the fans to say a 'high glasser' than to announce 'it's a jumper off the upper portion of the backboard,' " Blaha said. "In basketball you have to find some brief sayings because these guys go up and down the court so incredibly fast."

Tom Wilson, Pistons president and CEO, has long appreciated Blaha's value to the franchise.

"George really captures the magic of the sport and because he loves it so much he's been able to transmit that to the listeners," Wilson said. "Like Ernie Harwell, many people have grown up with him, and hearing his play-by-play is comforting and just makes you feel good."

A team 'ambassador'
Blaha's toughest time of the year is fall, when he announces MSU football in addition to Pistons games.

One weekend last November, Blaha did a Pistons game in Boston on Friday night, an MSU game at Purdue on Saturday afternoon and a Pistons game that night at the Palace.

He's not complaining.

"With an overlapping schedule like that, you just run on adrenalin and do the best job you can," said Blaha, who keeps his throat soothed with lozenges and stays in shape by exercising four days a week with free weights and a treadmill. "It's not like you're going to watch paint dry. I'm just so fortunate to broadcast my two favorite sports, NBA basketball and college football."

When he's not on the road, or preparing for games at his Troy home with his wife, Mary, and their dog, Misty, nearby, Blaha is often recording numerous radio commercials, or making appearances at charitable and community events for the Pistons and Michigan State. He also is active with Vista Maria, a home in Dearborn Heights for abused and neglected girls ages 11-17. He hosts an annual golf outing, called "High Hopes," for the home.

"George is not only our voice, but in many ways he's our ambassador," Wilson said. "When you go places with him, there's a certain magic with people. He's a celebrity in his own right."

Although Blaha enjoys spending the off-season at his new summer home on a lake near Gaylord, he's not ready for retirement.

"Forty years might be a nice number, but I can't see stepping down before then," he said. "All I ever really wanted to do was broadcast games and bring some joy to hard-working people in a working man's town.

"What better place than Detroit?"

BILL DOW >KRISTA LATHAM

Thanks for the memories

Blaha's top five Pistons memories:

1. First broadcast from Cobo Arena, Oct. 23, 1976

2. 1989 championship win over L.A. Lakers

3. 1990 championship win over Portland

4. 2004 championship win over Lakers

5. Third quarter of Game 6, 1988 NBA Finals, vs. Lakers (Isiah Thomas scores 25 points in the third quarter while playing with a severe ankle sprain)



The Pistons' top five scorers in 1976-77, the season Blaha debuted:

Bob Lanier (25.3)
M.L. Carr (13.3)
Howard Porter (13.2)
Chris Ford (12.3)
Ralph Simpson (11.0)
Head coach: Herb Brown


TAG TEAM
Blaha's radio and TV broadcasting partners over the years:

Frank Beckmann
Dave Bing
Hubie Brown
Jim Forest
Mike Fratello
Dick Harter
Spencer Haywood
Tom Hemingway
Vinnie Johnson
Greg Kelser
Bill Laimbeer
John Long
Kevin Loughery
Rick Mahorn
Fred McLeod
John Mengelt
Dick Motta
Bob Quick
Kelly Tripucka
Tom Wilson

George Blaha's call of the Pistons' 2004 championship:

"Lindsey, the veteran who won a crown with the Lakers, holds the ball for the Pistons. He's back home. Three seconds. Two seconds. One second. It's over. It has happened. It's happened, Detroit. You believed in this team and they have delivered a third NBA world championship to the Motor City. The Pistons smash the Lakers in five. And it's a triple play for Pistons owner Bill Davidson. First the WNBA title with the Shock, then the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. And now his beloved Pistons are again kings of professional basketball."

Anybody that has anything negative to say about Blaha in this thread had better tread lightly.

I'm looming.

Thin ice.

PMs.


EDIT: I've already had to send one, so I'm not going to repeat myself time and again. To be safe, if you are reading this, check your PMs.

BILL DOW >KRISTA LATHAM
i would said "=" myself.

fuck blaha, he aint done shit for the community

I call bullshit on Gutz!

Blaha has carried the comb-over community on his back for years!

fuck blaha, he aint done shit for the communityhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/realgm/angry10.gif

Count that baby.........and the foul!!!

I always like it when some weird coincidence goes down while he's calling a game.

"Lindsey for three......yes! The Pistons are now up three with three thirty-three left in quarter number three"

Anybody that has anything negative to say about Blaha in this thread had better tread lightly.Dude, anybody who says anything negative about Blaha should be BANNED.

Count that baby.........and the foul!!!

Rasheed, Turn around J, OFF THE HIGH GLASS AND IN! COUNT THAT BABY AND A FOUL! DONT LOOK NOW, BUT THE PISTONS ARE UP A DOZEN, WITH 2 AND 22 LEFT TO PLAY!

I always like it when some weird coincidence goes down while he's calling a game.

"Lindsey for three......yes! The Pistons are now up three with three thirty-three left in quarter number three"LMFAO!!!

Anybody that has anything negative to say about Blaha in this thread had better tread lightly.Dude, anybody who says anything negative about Blaha should be BANNED.

Really, if you dont like Blaha, you really have issues. I dont care who you are.

And, between him and Fred, I think we have the best play by play combo in the NBA, if not all of sports.


Really, have you ever listened to any other teams announcers on League pass or on radio or something? They're soooo damn lame. In any sport as a matter of fact. Detroit really has some great voices.

Looks like Sheed agrees


http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/1248/sheednblaha2hc.jpg

Count that baby.........and the foul!!!

Rasheed, Turn around J, OFF THE HIGH GLASS AND IN! COUNT THAT BABY AND A FOUL! DONT LOOK NOW, BUT THE PISTONS ARE UP A DOZEN, WITH 2 AND 22 LEFT TO PLAY!

LOL, that's classic Blaha right there.

supposedly George blaha in the 1920's. rooting for the C's. i think theres a conspiracy of betrayal lurking somewhere
http://mcelfresh.ws/Blaha.JPG

"Good evening everybody and welcome to another exciting night of NBA Basketball"


or how about

"Rasheed with the windmill slam!"
(on a simple tomahawk)


I still love Blaha though.

DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT THE PISTONS TRAIL BY ONLY 2 WITH 2:22 GONE BY IN THE FIRST!

DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT THE PISTONS TRAIL BY ONLY 2 WITH 2:22 GONE BY IN THE FIRST!

LOL

But I would have went the "2 and 22" route.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/oobir/blaha.gif Fall-back fifteen footer, he fills it! Wow!

Please add this emoticon.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/oobir/blaha.gif Fall-back fifteen footer, he fills it! Wow!

Please add this emoticon.

lol, that's good stuff :D

Yes. Please! Add it mother fuckers!

Where is my dancing black guy emoticon that I introduced to the world?

"Upfake"

"Long gun"

"Bunny"

As much bad luck we had last year when I personally listened to Blaha, he's THE voice. So far so good this season (and Hi-Def for home games). Plus, he's not too cracked out like Fred McLeod.

Yeay George.

I wish I hadn't missed this last Thursday, I had no idea it was happening.

http://www.nba.com/pistons/chat_mailbox/blahachat_060216.html


George Blaha Chat Transcript


One of the most recognizable sports personalities in Detroit and the NBA, George Blaha will begin his 30th consecutive season as the television and radio play-by-play voice of the Pistons in 2005-06.

The "Voice of the Pistons" is now, with the retirement of Tigers legend Ernie Harwell, the longest tenured play-by-play broadcaster in the state of Michigan.

Blaha's extensive knowledge of basketball and his trademark colloquialisms such as "two and twenty-two to play" and "a high glass gun that goes" have thrilled Pistons fans of all ages for almost three decades.

Blaha chatted with Pistons fans on Thursday, February 16 online at Pistons.com.

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George Blaha: I hope all of you have enjoyed the pre All-Star segment of the season as much as I have. This Pistons team is beyond special, they are something else. And I couldn't be happier for Flip Saunders and his staff and the squad, that Flip will be coaching four Pistons All-Stars on Sunday night.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg (Wixom): What are your thoughts on the trade of Darko and who do you expect Joe to pick up for Chaunceys reserve?

George Blaha: I wish Darko and Carlos Arroyo the very best. Carlos has already proven that he can play in this league and Darko I'm sure will be a solid player in this league. From the Pistons standpoint, it was obvious that Darko's frustration from lack of playing time was affecting his overall approach to the game and actually slowing down his progress. You're never guaranteed minutes in this league, but on a team with fewer stars, Darko will have a much better chance to get on the floor. I believe Joe D. accomplished two important things with the deal. Number one, he freed up $8.5 million to help keep the world's best starting five intact when their contracts come up. Secondly, he got the Pistons a quality first round draft pick for 2007 or 2008. All in all, it was a well thought out, typical Joe Dumars decision and one that will help the team now and in the future. Let me say again that keeping this starting five in Pistons blue for the forseeable future is by far the most important goal roster-wise that we have. Hopefully that answers all of your questions about the trade.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bilal Bandar (Dearborn Heights): Do you think Tayshaun Prince should've went to the All-Star game?

George Blaha: With the record the Pistons have and the importance that each of the starters have had, I see no reason why all five shouldn't have been All-Stars, but that's really a tall order. Heck, this is the first time the coaches have picked four players from one team to be reserves. Tayshaun knows his day will come. He is an amazing all-around basketball player.


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Matt (Harper Woods): What do you usually do during the All-Star Break?

George Blaha: Well one thing I do during All-Star break is watch the All-Star game, the Slam dunk contest and the long distance shootout on television, but I also try to get away for some R&R. It's a great time of year to recharge your batteries and get ready for the home stretch and the playoffs. Lately I've been heading for northern Michigan during the break. It's a great getaway and an awesome part of our state.


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Thomas (Harper Woods): Who do you think will win on All-Star Saturday night as well as the big game on Sunday?

George Blaha: I like Josh Smith's chances to repeat in the Slam Dunk contest, but Andre Iguodala is incredibly gifted and could turn some heads as well. You can't really count anybody out; Hakim Warrick is a legitimate contendor and when little guys like Nate Robinson perform well, they tend to catch the judges' eyes. I love Chauncey's chances in the long distance shootout. I don't even want to put anyone else's name out there. After all, these are Big Shots aren't they? As for the game itself, the first team to 130 points wins. But I give the East the edge because Flip Saunders will have the advantage of having four of his players on the floor at the same time and great execution almost always means points in an All-Star game.


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Josh (Ann Arbor): How big was the win for the Heat over the Pistons?

George Blaha: It was big for Miami and for Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade, they both played exceptionally well. The Pistons brought their A game too, before a few breakdowns in the fourth quarter cost them the game. I think Miami needed to prove to themselves that they could beat the Pistons, but I'm sure they know, as well as everybody else in the NBA does, that it would be very difficult for them to beat the Pistons in a seven game series. I'll say this about the Heat however, with the Big Diesel and Dwyane Wade and a great coach like Pat Riley, nobody but the Pistons can probably beat them in a seven game series. So I guess that means the Eastern Conference Championship will go through Miami and the Motor City.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sean (Detroit): Do you think that Lindsey Hunter is ready to take the place of Arroyo as the backup for Chauncey Billups?

George Blaha: Absolutely. Lindsey has everything you need to fill that role. He is the best on-ball defender at his position anywhere. He can make big shots, has range, is as tough as nails when it comes to taking charges and don't forget, he's been there and done that for Championships twice, with the Lakers and with the Pistons.


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Josh (Ann Arbor): How do you feel about Chauncey's chances for the MVP?

George Blaha: I think he's earned the right to be on the short list of MVP candidates and don't count him out. I know there's a lot of talk about superstars like Kobe Bryant, but how the Pistons finish under his leadership will surely give him a legitimate chance to win it. His contributions to this team are immeasurable despite all the measurable statistics. It's hard to quantify sacrifice, gamesmanship, and decision making. He really does have it all and we're very lucky to have him. My hat's off to Joe D. for bringing him in. And by the way, you'd like him a lot if you knew him, he's a great guy.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Howard (stationed in San Antonio): How do you think this Detroit team ranks with the all time greats? I wouldn't rank them very high due to the mediocore play in the NBA. Only a handful of teams are headed for 55-60 wins.

George Blaha: Charles, let's see how this all plays out. We're all in too big a hurry to rank this team in terms of importance and historical perspective. Let's just enjoy them for what they are, a terrific team that personifies the team concept. What may, when all is said and done, earn them the right to be ranked with the all-time greats is the fact that all of their stars worry about the number on the scoreboard and not on the stat sheet. They share the glory and squeeze every possible win out of an 82 game schedule. With regard to the quality of play these days, I believe it was at its best in the 80s, average in the 90s, and somewhere in between in the 80s and 90s right now. The bottom line is, wins still don't come easy at this level.


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Josh (Ann Arbor): Now that the pistons can re-sign Chauncey and Ben, when will the Pistons' reign end?

George Blaha: Well we hope not for a long, long time. Realistically they should have three to four more championship caliber seasons. If they can add another two or three to that, they will have had a seven year championship window, which would be an incredible feat for Joe Dumars and Pistons owner Bill Davidson. It's very difficult to keep the championship window open for more than a few years.


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Dan (Davison): George, thank you for your years of dedicated, superior announcing! It is obvious that Detroit has become a jump shooting team, including well over 20 3-point attempts per game. Couple that with a much softer defense, which allows almost every team to outscore us in the paint, and out rebound us. George, are we moving away from what has made us an all around superior basketball "team", or am I missing the big picture? Again thanks, you make the game more exciting & fun!

George Blaha: Thanks, Dan, for the kind words, I still believe the Pistons can and do lock down defensively when they need to. They have such great long range shooters that it's hard not to take advantage of that weapon. Don't forget, they do count three, not two. Look for them to go to more post-ups however, down the stretch as they get ready for the post-season. Rip's mid-range game and the post up abilities of Rasheed, Tayshaun and Chauncey and the lobs for Ben Wallace dunks ought to give the Pistons plenty of points in or near the paint when they need them.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike (Grand Blanc): Which team should the Pistons fear playing in the playoffs?

George Blaha: I don't think the Pistons should fear anybody in the playoffs. They're still the best team in basketball as we go to the All-Star break. But they'll have to play well to beat Miami, or even New Jersey or Indiana in the post season. But they've been playing well all season, so why would we think they wouldn't play well in the post season? They'll need their A game, and they certainly have one, in the Finals against the Spurs, Mavericks or maybe the Suns. Let's just wish them good health the rest of the way. Everything else should take care of itself.


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Josh (Ann Arbor): Do you ever get tired of broadcasting?

George Blaha: Once in a while, I get a little tired of the travel, even though Roundball One makes it as painless as possible. But I never get tired of broadcasting the games. It's a privelidge just to be there and an honor to be able to bring the games to all of our fans.


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Jeff (Grand Rapids): Compare working an MSU football game to a Pistons Game.

George Blaha: It's a thrill to broadcast both of them. How many people get to be involved in broadcasting their two favorite sports. I can't tell you how much I love pro basketball and college football. I've followed them both religiously since I was a boy. I can't imagine a Saturday afternoon in the fall without college football or wintertime and springtime without the NBA.

George Blaha: Thanks for taking the time to fire the questions at me. Let's do it again soon. All of us in the Pistons family truly appreciate your support.

Where is my dancing black guy emoticon that I introduced to the world? [smilie=funnyguy.gi: [smilie=funnyguy2.g:
There's 2 of them.







There's 2 of them.
http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10076000/10076418.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/m8rrxl

He's got a pretty nice tan there.

HELL YEAH! [smilie=funnyguy.gi:

Are you sure that's not Mike Tirico or something?

[smilie=blaha.gif]

I don't see the resemblance

http://www.vistamaria.org/events/george-blahas-26th-annual-high-hopes-golf-invitational/

http://www.hourdetroit.com/galleries/414/12570-MaryandGeorgeBlaha.jpg

For u #Blahaholics: http://deadlinedetroit.com/articles/15111/one_seat_over_podcast_george_blaha_a_detroit_treas ure_for_40_years_and_counting#.V1cpO5MrJp8

"How big is it, George?"

https://d2nyfqh3g1stw3.cloudfront.net/photos/blaha_22039.png

Done for the year, heart bypass surgery this week.

Are we obliged to refer to him as "Naismith HOF Inductee George Blaha", or will "Blaha" do? :)

“God” will do.

I got this shirt for my kid for Xmas. He’s a big Blaha fan, too.

https://www.mixxtees.com/product/george-blaha-count-that-baby-and-a-foul-t-shirt/