On March 13, 1992, the legendary Francis “Chick” Hearn broadcasted in what was his 2,500th consecutive game. This was a remarkable streak that dated all the way back to the beginning of the 1965-66 season — and the streak would continue all the way up to 3,338 by the early half of the 2001-02 season. As the Lakers play-by-play announcer for over four decades, Hearn’s creativity in describing what he saw during basketball games was a Hollywood work of art — he innovated much of the now-ubiquitous basketball dictionary, including the terms “slam dunk” and “finger roll.” Hearn is also known for many of his legendary so-dubbed “Chickism” sayings. Hearn, one of the most revered announcers and personalities in sports history, was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 1997, as well as into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003 as a contributor to the sport. He has been so appreciated by the city of Los Angeles that a street has even been named after him adjacent to the Staples Center.
Today in Sports History: March 13
LOS ANGELES - JUNE 14: Longtime sportscaster Chick Hearn smiles as he introduces the Los Angeles Lakers on the podium at the Laker victory rally honoring their third consecutive NBA Championship at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, California on June 14, 2002. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice:2002 NBAE (Photo By Andrew D. Bernstein /NBAE via Getty Images)