Today Marks the Anniversary of a Sad Day in Cardinal Nation

Jack Buck died on this day in 2002, but I want to remember how much fun it was to listen to him.

Buck was a master of reporting on the game while being entertaining and engaging. Above is a link to one of the funniest things I have ever heard on radio. Jonathan Winters--a former co worker of Buck's in a Columbus Ohio TV station during the 1950's. The segment is from a Cardinals radio broadcast in the summer of 1977.

Jack Buck also had a front row look at one of the most bizarre situations in professional football history. He was the sideline reporter for the infamous Kick To The Clock AFL Championship Game in 1962...

I met Mr. Buck (I wasn't ever comfortable calling him Jack) during a Cardinal Caravan stop in Quincy in 1980. I was just starting in radio and I asked him for some advice. I got what I found later was his standard issue advice. I was told to be able to do more than just sports. "Be prepared, be well informed and able to converse on a wide variety of subjects beyond sports."  His advice was spot-on as I have confirmed for myself over the last three and a half decades.