Raise YOUR Voice!

Rob S. from Seattle, Washington

Throughout time, very few broadcasters have had the ability or privilege to become synonymous with a particular team.  A few immediately come to mind, including Vin Scully with the Dodgers, Harry Caray and the Cubs, Myron Cope with the Steelers.  As legendary as these names are, Mike Lange stands alone amongst being the “voice” of a professional sports team. 

As much as Mario Lemieux personifies the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise, it can be argued that Mike Lange is equally representative.  Through the dark years of bankruptcy and being the NHL’s worst team, Lange witnessed it all.  This is what has made Mike Lange so essential to Penguins hockey – he has been through the good times and bad.  During the Stanley Cup years, the passion and love for the team could be felt with every fluctuation of Lange’s voice.  I still get chills when recalling Lange’s call of Mario’s empty netter in Game 6 of the 1990-91 Wales Conference finals to ensure the Pens’ first Stanley Cup Finals appearance.  It’s as if Lange’s signature “Heeeeeee shoots and scores” instantly erased 24 years of the franchise’s frustration. 

When the Civic Arena doors were padlocked due to bankruptcy, Lange was here.  When a savior was drafted in 1984, Lange was here.  When Mario raised the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992, Lange was here.  When the buffoon Baldwin ownership nearly killed the franchise, Lange was here.  When Sid the Kid became the new face of not only the Penguins, but of the NHL, Lange was here.

While radio broadcasts still play an integral part in today’s communications, they sit in the shadows of television and new media.  While many sports broadcasters are unable to properly articulate for both radio and television (via simulcast), Lange’s call has always been flawless.  The decision to relegate Lange to the ghost town of radio was a blunder in every sense of the word. 

Mike Lange is the Pittsburgh Penguins – in heart and in voice.  Do the right thing and bring him back to television broadcasts so that a new generation of Pens fans can experience the chills provided by Lange’s stellar calls.