Is Dickie V Done For The Season?

Tuesday, December 18, 2007


I noted this earlier in the year, but Dickie V's voice just did not sound right for the first few games he called. Well apparently it's due to lesions on his vocal cord. Dickie V typed an online letter to fans about this and his upcoming surgery on his website....

To: My favorite people, all of the fans who make college basketball special!
From: Dick Vitale

During the past month and a half, I have had a very difficult time with discomfort in my throat. Personally, I want to apologize to all of the fans and all of the beautiful people at ESPN who have been fantastic to me during my 29 years working at the network.

I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people, especially my current teammates, Dan Shulman, Doris Burke, coordinating producer Dan Steir and director Doug Holmes, whom have all been so understanding and supportive.

The past six weeks have been very emotional for me and for my family as we've visited some of the most outstanding throat specialists. Fortunately, I am currently under the guidance of Dr. Daniel Deems in Sarasota, Fla. and he is an outstanding ear, nose and throat specialist. Dr. Deems strongly recommended that I visit Dr. Steven Zeitels, who is recognized as one of the premier throat and voice specialists in the nation.

Dr. Zeitels serves as the director for the Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. After an examination, it was determined that I had lesions on my left vocal cord and that they should be surgically removed. Dr. Zeitels said his goal is to have me back sitting at courtside in early February.
That's not good at all. I'm one of the few people that enjoy Vitale on broadcasts. Sure I poke fun at the fact he can never stay on topic, but the guy has been an ambassador for the Sport and a staple for almost 30 years.

Get better soon Dickie V.

Dick Vitale Will Have Throat Sugery (The Sporting Blog)
Letter To My Fans (Dickie V)

UPDATE: Good news. Surgery went well.

Dickie V sidelined by surgery until at least February (ESPN via Mez)

Posted by Awful Announcing- at 1:50 PM

10 Comments:

//Deems strongly recommended that I visit Dr. Steven Zeitels, who is recognized as one of the premier throat and voice specialists in the nation.//

He's a diper dandy!

Good to get proof that his TV personality is the real deal, he even talks about docs like they are some kind of PG at Duke or something.

Hope he gets healthy and makes it back...

TheFolkist said...
Dec 18, 2007, 2:31:00 PM  

Here's hoping Dickie V bounces back onto the hardwood as soon as possible. Even those who poke fun at him know he's been one of the most influential people in the last couple of decades for increasing interest in the game of basketball.

Sportsattitude said...
Dec 18, 2007, 2:37:00 PM  

I'm not going to trash him here either. He's like Berman. He just became a victim of his own success and his bosses started acting like he was bigger than the game he was covering. I wish him luck.

J.J. said...
Dec 18, 2007, 2:59:00 PM  

I've always loved Dickie V, even when he got under your skin you could tell his impact and what he meant to College Basketball were so huge. ESPN's reporting the surgery went well. There is a link about it below from the homepage on ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3159983

Mez said...
Dec 18, 2007, 3:05:00 PM  

I watched an old ESPN telecast from the 80's and was completely amazed at how different Vitale sounded. He was very calm and focused more on the game instead of the players and some random topics.

Anonymous said...
Dec 18, 2007, 3:07:00 PM  

Dickie V is great at hyping games and he knows what he is talking about. Yes, he sometimes gets off topic but he is still one of the all time greats.

Brett said...
Dec 18, 2007, 3:07:00 PM  

pretty soon dickie v will be wearing a diaper and it will not be dandy.

Anonymous said...
Dec 18, 2007, 3:15:00 PM  

He may be over the top, but you have to respect his passion. I hope he's back soon.

GMoney said...
Dec 18, 2007, 4:02:00 PM  

That girl stole Patricia Arquette's dentures.

Anonymous said...
Dec 18, 2007, 6:37:00 PM  

Maybe his throat will feel better once Coach K's cock isn't banging into it so much.

Anonymous said...
Dec 18, 2007, 10:28:00 PM  

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