GoneGeorgia football fans are saddened by the sudden retirement of famed play-by-play announcer Larry Munson, and baseball fans are also unhappy about the closing of Yankee Stadium. It was obvious that Munson was closing in on his last broadcast, but the reality of his announcement surely made the inevitable hard to swallow. The closing of Yankee Stadium was also right on schedule, but losing such a grand sporting venue was equally hard to handle.

Munson, who will soon by 86 years old, is one of the most cherished figures in Georgia sports history and holds a special place in the hearts of every Bulldog fan. His signature broadcasts of Georgia football, which began in 1966, have brought joy and excitement to a whole generation of Bulldog followers.

Certainly Munson was a unique broadcaster and a true “homer,” At times he was a whiner, at times he was a coach, at times he was an official, but at all times he was a Georgia man. His famous “Run, Lindsey, Run,” and “Sugar Falling from the Sky,” and “Hob-nail Boot” calls are special moments from Georgia victories that all Georgia fans can remember with pride and excitement.

Except for those who wore the Georgia uniform, there may not have been a single person in Bulldog history who has meant more to the Dogs’ football program. You argue that Vince Dooley meant more. I doubt it. There were times when Dooley was unpopular with Georgia fans. I don’t ever recall a time when Munson was unpopular or where his job was in danger.

When Munson came to Georgia there were few television broadcasts so the radio was where fans went to hear the games. Munson brought Georgia football to Bulldog fans with a flare and style that made the game seem real.

Not all SEC fans will miss Munson because he was not one to give the opposition considerable credit. Georgia fans however will find it very difficult to find a broadcaster that they can relate to as they did to Munson. He was their man and their eternal link to the game. He will be missed by all football fans and his style and flavor will never be matched.

By the way, one rumor for Munson’s replacement is Wes Durham who is the play-by-play man for Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Falcons and is an exceptional announcer. Its just a rumor but I don’t know if Georgia fans could accept a Tech man in their booth. Should be fun!

A short statement about Yankee Stadiums closing. It is sad that such a magnificent stadium has to be destroyed. A great baseball cathedral like Yankee Stadium deserves to stand for all time as a tribute to the greatest sports franchise of all time. The magnificent players who have played there, the historic events that have occurred there, the great games that have been played there, and the history that is contained within its confines make Yankee Stadium the greatest sporting venue in the western hemisphere.

With all of this, the Yankee ownership will tear down this hallowed sports temple. As usual, money is the main devil in this formula. The Yankees want more money to pay their enormous payroll and getting a ticket at the new stadium will be a very expensive venture.

You’ve probably already heard the story about Yankee owner George Steinbrenner’s initial investment in the Yankee franchise. If not here it is. Steinbrenner’s part of the investment group that bought the Yankees in 1972 was $800,000. Next season, in the new stadium, four season tickets behind home plate will cost $840,000. Is this ridiculous or what?

The place where Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Maris, Berra, Ford, and so many other greats frolicked will soon be gone but for all true baseball fans it will never disappear from our memories. And even though this is true, tradition-loving baseball fans will never forgive them for tearing it down!