I am 20 years old and I wish to speak on a treasured childhood moment.
From day one I was a Utah Jazz fan and I loved to follow John Stockton; he was my favorite player. While John did make Jazz basketball special for me, there was someone else who brought the game to life for me every night.
Whenever I heard his introduction for that evening “You’re looking live from the Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City … NBA basketball is coming up next and you gotta love it baby!” I got giddy with excitement for what I was about to partake in.
It was the one and only Hot Rod Hundley, voice of the Utah Jazz. His knowledge of basketball and unique style of calling games was equal to none.
Having him call the game meant a great deal to me. You see, I am half blind and Hots always made the games exciting for me. He learned from broadcaster Chick Hern. In fact Hot Rod learned everything about the art of broadcasting from Chick Hern he even stole Chick’s lines. “I met with chick and he said I hear you’re stealing some of my lines. I said not some of them Chick all of them”
Perhaps the most important thing he learned from Chick was when giving the play- by- play; you should describe it as if the people you’re talking to are blind. Those listening to you on the radio cannot see the game and are relying on your eyes to give them a picture. You can’t describe everything that is happening and keep up with game it all happens so fast. It is best to use short phrases like ‘he’s up top’, ‘fake left go right to the base’, ‘he came sweeping down the lane from the right side’ ect.
As a result of Hot Rods’ mastery of that skill I could always tell where the ball was on the floor and what was happening. Whenever I went to the Delta Center, I would always bring a radio so I could hear Hot Rod's call of the action. When Hots made the switch to radio only I stopped watching the games on TV and tuned into the Jazz Basketball Radio Network. I loved hearing about "leapin leaners," "frozen ropes," “who had the yo yo dribble up top" and my favorite "With a gentle push and a mild arc the old cowhide globe hits home!". Even when the game was a blowout I would keep listening to Hots I felt that if Hots could keep watching then I could keep listening. He still kept the game exciting and I will always treasure those memories, hold them close to my heart and look back on them with fondness.
Hots is the end of an era for the Jazz organization he has been with the team since their inception in New Orleans in 1974. After 6 years in New Orleans the Jazz made the move to Salt Lake City. Hot Rod Hundley was the only member of the Jazz staff to make the move to Salt Lake City.
He remembers when he heard the news. “I got a knock on my door early in the morning and there was a man standing there he said ‘Are you going with them?’ I said going where with whom? “He said the Jazz are moving to Salt Lake City Utah and I said what! He had a newspaper and I didn’t even know we where moving. And he said if you’re going with them I want to buy your place you bought it right when I wanted it 4 years ago. I said I tell you what come back in about 2 hours ok I need to make some phone calls and sure enough we were moving It was the best kept secret in New Orleans. Frank Layden was the owner and I got a hold of Frank who said ‘get up here we need some help selling tickets.’ "
In the years that John Stockton and Karl Malone played together (1985-2003) I, along with the rest of Salt Lake City, became accustomed to hearing that trademark phrase “StocktontoMalone “ That’s no typo Hot’s always said it as if it was a single word .
Hearing that phrase from Hots is something that I now identify with pure happiness. I was crushed when John retired because I knew the days of “StocktontoMalone” had come to an end.
I was still a Jazz fan because Hots was still there for 4 more years. I knew that the end would eventually come and didn’t want to think of life without the greatest sports broadcaster of all time.
It's sad to see him put down the mic after 42 seasons (In the 2009 season he reached the milestone mark of having broadcasted 3000 games) and to have never gotten a ring as a player or a broadcaster.
I wish him the best as he moves on to spend time with his family. Without Hot Rod I can't see myself following the Jazz anymore he made Jazz basketball what it is and it will never be the same again.
Thank you Hot Rod for all you've done and "You Gotta Love it Baby!"
