Originally Posted By Dave NEW YORK (AP) — Jim McKay, the venerable and eloquent sportscaster thrust into the role of telling Americans about the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics, has died. He was 86. McKay died Saturday of natural causes at his farm in Monkton, Md., said son Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports. The broadcaster who considered horse racing his favorite sport died only hours before Big Brown attempted to win a Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes. He was host of ABC's influential "Wide World of Sports" for more than 40 years, starting in 1961. The weekend series introduced viewers to all manner of strange, compelling and far-flung sports events. The show provided an international reach long before exotic backdrops became a staple of sports television. McKay provided the famous voice-over that accompanied the opening in which viewers were reminded of the show's mission ("spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports") and what lay ahead ("the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat"). <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jfdn2uoYJwOEdiYCzfkvC52PmF7wD915CQD04" target="_blank">http://ap.google.com/article/A...915CQD04</a>
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I grew up with McKay from the Wide World of Sports to his Olympic coverage. He is one of the last of a rare breed...a sportscaster who did not need to thrust himself or his personality into each and every story. RIP.
Originally Posted By DAR <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWt_Dt4ces&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=related</a>
Originally Posted By EdisYoda I too grew up watching his work on the Olympics (They were never the same when ABC decided not to cover them any more) and Wide World of Sports. This is truely the Agony of Defeat. But, Mr McKay, you did it with the Thrill of Victory. Thank you for a job and life well done. You will be missed. RIP Jim McKay
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I saw Jim McKay in an elevator in NY once. He was smaller than you might have expected, and very unassuming. Even said "excuse me" to a woman who essentially bumped into HIM. Chatted amiably with a fan who chatted him up in the elevator. Absolutely zero "star attitude."
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Wide World of Sports was pretty much a never-miss program of my childhood. Loved it... And Jim McKay was a huge part of what made it great - an American classic. Rest easy, sir.
