Sportscaster Chick Hearn, 85
Posted: Monday, August 5th, 2002 9:15 pm
Chick Hearn, who made such phrases as “slam dunk” and “air ball” common basketball expressions during his 42-year broadcasting career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died Monday night. He was 85.
Hearn, the only play-by-play announcer the Los Angeles Lakers ever had, died at 6:30 p.m. at Northridge Medical Center Hospital, team spokesman Bob Steiner told a grim-faced news conference outside the hospital.
Hearn was taken to the hospital Friday night after falling and striking his head in the backyard of the Encino home he shared with his wife, Marge. The two would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on Aug. 13. … Read full obituary
