On the death of broadcasting legend Bill King

I am compelled to write to you on the passing of Bill King. As a young boy I would listen to every word of his broadcast of Warrior games---and I mean that quite literally. I can barely watch 5 minutes of an NBA game today, but back then----and I especially remember Rick Barry's rookie season--I would listen on the radio to every Warrior game that I could. What a loss this is and what a great man was Bill King to be able to touch so many lives in his upbeat and entertaining way. I don't know if he is in anyone's Hall of Fame, but he should be. HOLY TOLEDO, he will be missed. - Paul F.

I was born and raised in the Bay Area, but now living in the Baltimore-DC area; I was extremely sad to hear the news of Bill King's passing on our local Baltimore Sportstalk Radio station (they have a long way to go to equal KNBR!). I am grateful that KNBR put together a fantastic array of interviews and clips of King's work (Thanks to "Big" Bruce Macgowan)...brings back a lot of fond memories. King's ability to paint a mental picture of the action for his listeners and the enthusiasm he showed in his calls...no matter which team was making the great play... is what will always put him head and shoulders above all other play by play broadcasters in my book. - Jules S.

I felt it necessary to send a note to you regarding Bill and Nancy's love of the ballet. I was a professional dancer with SF Ballet back in the 70's and early 80's. My wife had a family connection with Nancy, and I had a love of our sports teams which made it simple to be in tune with Bill. They were both huge supporters of the ballet and I always felt that Bill had a fascination with the athletic abilities of dancers and how that related to the sports teams that he loved and covered. So, it wasn't just being refined, as he was, but a true admiration of skill. There are not many who would have gone to the lengths that Bill did to fully understand the miracle of the human body and what it's capable of. He will truly be missed. - Tony N.

Without a doubt the best play by play basketball announcer ever. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill at a sports banquet 8 or 9 years ago, and while in conversation with him, we were interrupted by a local sports writer, so I continued on with the people I was with. About an hour later, someone was tapping me on my shoulder, and I was surprised to see it was Mr. King. He wanted to apologize for our conversation being interrupted. I of course said no problem, but it just reinforced what I always felt about him - A total class act. He is a Bay Area icon who well be sorely missed. - Rob G.

Growing up in LA ... I grew up with Chick Hearn. When I came to the Bay Area at 18 years old, I listened to Bill King broadcast of Warriors games. I found him very similar to Chick in his ability to talk fast and clear. I later heard Bill say that Chick recommend him to the Warriors. Although I questioned his continual criticism of NBA referees, I will be always impressed that Bill quit broadcasting Warrior and NBA games because he felt that he could not because of his strong view of their incompetence. I enjoyed Bill's accurate and entertaining broadcasts of A's baseball which made the success of the A's even more enjoyable. God's speed, Bill. - Fred, San Francisco

i'm a 54 year old native san franciscan and remember bill king with fondest memories…..when i was a youngster, i used to sneak my transistor radio under my pillow to listen to the broadcast of the warriors games.....bill king’s play by play didn't make me feel like i was at the game....more precisely, i felt as though i were transported to the game floor in the middle of the action...nobody called a basketball game like mr. king....he was an artist with a microphone...holy toledo.... bill king was one cool cat! - Don R., Sonoma

The most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible, DREAM of an announcer…There's no time left…There's no real announcer left in the WORLD
anymore…Thousands upon thousands of people, are STUNNED. They are standing, looking at each other, looking at the sky. They don't believe it. NOBODY believes it. I don't know if I MYSELF believe it. It's not real. A man would be a FOOL to try to invent a story of such an announcer, and make
you believe it. This man will be re-lived…FOREVER. - Andrew

I work in an office in which Japanese is spoken all day. During the past eight or so years that major-league baseball games have been broadcast via the Internet, Bill King was my "Daily Dose of English." He will be sorely missed. - Glenn in Tokyo, Japan

Bill's legacy will live forever. I was influenced by his style and vocabulary while training to be a broadcaster at Ohlone College in Fremont. He's one of the few who could eat nachos and broadcast basketball at the same time. Bill will be missed. Thank you for great memories!!! - Steve H., Modesto

Many young Raider fans in the Raider Nation haven't a clue as to the intensity of the love affair between the Raiders and the Bay Area in the 70's and 80's. The man orchestrating that love affair was Bill King. If I was having a rough week, I would listen to Mr. King on the radio in my bedroom. Bill made me think I was playing beside Warren Wells, Willie Brown and so many of the other great players. The game was so real, and Bill King's voice made even the worst game fun. Rarely did my dad ever listen to the TV announcers when Bill King was on the air. My dad told me that Bill King was the only expert he knew who said Portland would beat the Sixers in the 1977 NBA finals. People laughed at Mr. King but my dad trusted Bill. He bet several people and after the Blazers won, he toasted Bill King and laughed all the way to the bank. The 70's had some rough times and Bill helped us through it by making sports so enjoyable and fun. How innocent were those times and how lucky we were to have known them. The greatest radio sportcaster of all time - the Great Bill King. - Jim M., Napa

As someone who used to live in the Bay Area, I want you to pass along my condolences for the passing of Bill King. He may be the last true character in radio sports. There was nobody like him. In the late seventies, I managed a restaurant in Santa Cruz Called Positively Front Street. Bill came in and ate clams and drank beer at the bar for several hours. He never knew a stranger and loved talking shop. It was an encounter I'll always remember. I'm very sad to hear of his untimely passing. - Jack W.

Bill King will be remembered as a master painter of words and expressions. It would be a fitting tribute to see his name in a Hall of Fame. I can still remember his crystal clear voice on cold winter nights, as he would announce Warrior basketball games back in the early 60's, and I would struggle through geometry homework on the kitchen table. Thank you Mr. King for your metaphoric play-by-plays and commentaries for the last 45 years. - Rudy C.

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Bill King. Everyone will remember him as one of the greatest sportscasters in history. And, that's true. Many will remember his many varied interests. True. I will especially remember Bill from the days we worked together at "that other station"...although I didn't know him well, I did know him...and knowing Bill King was SPECIAL. He was one of a kind, and the vacuum he leaves won't easily be filled. Best to all of his co-workers and fans. - Jim Eason (KGO Radio...retired)

As a broadcaster (KNBR 60's & 70's), I admired Bill King's talent and passion for the business. As a human being I admired Bills intelligence, wit, charm and warmth. What a loss! - Jack Hayes, Marina del Rey

I am deeply saddened at the passing of long time radio annoucer Bill King. As a kid, Bill King made the radio broadcast more like television. A part of me is missing and hurt. I live in Los Angeles and the late Chick Hearn was the voice of the Lakers. No disrespect to Chick Hearn, but Bill King was the GREATEST VOICE ON RADIO I HAVE EVER HEARD. I won't be able to attend his memorial service, but just count how many ex-Raiders, ex-A's, ex-Giants, and ex-Warriors show up to pay their respects. I can still hear his voice about the salami of Bob Ostrow. Often when I played sports, in my mind Bill King broadcast my games in my head. From "Holy Toledo," to "Goooooooddddd" to "TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS"....Bill King will forever be remembered. Bill King, we love you and will miss you! - Marvin J.

The VOICE of the Oakland Raiders has passed away. BILL KING will NEVER be replaced. He was perfect. His forever famous Holy Roller call against the Chargers will NEVER get old. His Super Bowl call of OLD MAN WILLIE was pure Bill King. Even though he hadn't called Raider games since 1995, true football fans everywhere know a broadcasting icon has left us. You have my sympathy Raider fans. Every game Bill King called, truly was the Raider slogan: A Committment to Excellence. To steal one of Bill's GREATEST lines, and change it a little, I feel it's only appropriate to say goodbye to him this way: "There's nothing real in the world anymore...Bill wants to know if it's real...the angels say it is...get your big butt outta here.....He does." So long Bill, you'll be forever missed. - Steve, Salinas

I was deeply saddened to hear that my favorite broadcaster has passed. I will miss hearing him doing the Athletics ball games. He was such a joy to listen to. I will miss seeing him at Spring Training this coming March. He was the "BEST!" No one will ever take his place. The baseball fans of America salute him! - Janine D., Oakland Athletics Season Ticket holder

Having lived in the Bay Area most of my 51 yrs. the Bay Area has been blessed with many fine broadcasters but in my mind Bill King was THE best. My most vivid memory of Mr. King was the 1975 championship series. I was lucky enough to go to the entire playoff series and the championship series. I was thinking the only negative was I wouldn't be able to hear Bill King doing the games..case solved..my transistor radio! His fluidity, incredible knowledge,humor and honesty were one of a kind. We'll miss you Bill King!! - Rich in Pleasant Hill

Hearing Jim Barnett reminds me of a great Bill King memory. My wife and I were charter members of Barney's Bandits (Jim Barnett's fan club when he played for the Warriors). Well, we were in Landover in 1975 when the Warriors won the championship! And everyone in the Bay Area knew we were there because Bill King said after the game, "Barney's Bandits were here to celebrate!" - Neil K.

Bill King reminds me of my youth - warm day games and crisp night games at the Oakland Coliseum. He reminds me of what it was like to be a carefree child. I can remember hours spent listening to his voice - calling A's games while sitting on my bed or driving in the car around the East Bay as young boy. Bill King = class. How can a guy who's mastered the art of broadcasting 3 sports not be in the hall of fame for any!? It's a travesty. I met him briefly at the last A's game when I flew out from Cincinnati to take my 9 month old son to his first every baseball game. What a way to be introduced to baseball - being in the press box near Bill King. I miss him dearly. I am choking on sadness. And it won't be until March when this fully hits home - never to hear "...And that's your A's replay...." or "HOLY TOLEDO" again. I can't imagine what his family is feeling right now. I can't imagine what his broadcast family - Ken and Ray are feeling. Reading all these wonderful thoughts about him, it's hard to imagine a bigger love affair between a city and a broadcaster. I just always thought you'd live forever. Bill: we love you. Thanks for all you did for us. A true legend. A renaissance man. - Adam S., Cincinnati

I grew up in the 70's listening to Bill King do Warriors and Raiders games. He had a rapid delivery that was just right for basketball. My two favorite Bill King basketball calls: "Two!" and "He faked the defender into the parking lot!" - Keith B.

The best is what we have experienced here in the Bay Area and now one of the best is no longer here. I, like so many others, grew up in the Bay Area, transistor is hand. How often can one just close his eyes and see each and every play, like you were there? It was because of Bill King. His use of the English language, his passion, his love for the sport. We were so lucky to have him in our lives. Thank you, Mr. King. - Daniel P.

When the Loma Prieta earthquake struck the 1988 World Series, Bill King became a hero. The A's radio station at that time was left without power at the studio location on Broadway in San Francisco, but suprisingly, the station's transmitter was still on the air, and the broadcast booth at Candlestick Park had emergency power. Bill King stayed at the microphone, reading the emergency section of the phone book to what had to be thousands of panicked listeners, calmly letting people know how to deal with the emergency that had occurred. Perhaps these moments weren't widely heard, but nevertheless stand out as my memory of the Loma Prieta earthquake. - Rich B.

Thank you for paying such a great tribute to Bill King. I lived in the Bay Area all my life and am an avid Raiders fan and A's fan - we moved to Folsom two years ago. We don't get all the A's games on T.V. but I wouldn't listen to anyone else but Bill anyway. If we do get the games, I turn the volume down and listen to Bill's play by play, so much more enjoyable. I feel as if I've lost a part of my family. He was so good to listen to, I loved to listen to him, he made me really get into the game. What will we do now, it will never be the same. - M. Maier

Since 1997, I have lived in Colorado and most of the talk-radio and sports broadcasters here are unadulterated "homers." Conversely, Bill King (and the majority of sports announcers in the Bay Area) tell it like it is. I grew up listening to Bill King, Lon Simmons, Russ Hodges, and Hank Greenwald - each of whom were very special and had their own style. Absolutely no one was better than Bill at announcing basketball games. Regarding baseball, try listening to the B.S. the Rockies announcers shovel the fans each game and then listen to a game announced by Mr. King . . . He will definitely be missed.
- Steve M., Denver resident (but allegiance always to Bay Area teams)

When I heard of Mr. King's passing, it was like I had been punched in the gut. Some of my fondest memories are of when I was a kid and listening to Mr. King and Lon Simmons calling the A's games. These two gentlemen had voices that you could listen to forever and a day. Mr. King will be sorely missed and I think the Coliseum's name should be changed to Bill King Stadium or King Stadium or some variation thereof. Thank you and keep up the good work. - Rick in Hayward

Didn't know how to say Detroit. Bill taught me. Didn't own a TV.Bill showed me. Didn't get all the games when we finally got a TV. Bill was there. In an age where ESPN highlights and every game is now shown, I thank Bill King for showing me the game and the country over the radio as a young man. In that time, the only avenue to the world outside my own was provided through sport. I would follow the A's road trips, map on kitchen counter, and Bill King was there letting me know what it was like to be there and that I could be there. He spoke in a world that needed to be described. He existed in a medium in places before they were so easily shown. I owe part of my interest in the people and places beyond the known to him. Thanks, Bill. - Glen

This always tickled me because it was almost became a physical confrontation while Bill was on the air. It was a wrap-up after a Warrior game and Bill was going through the stats, such as “Derrick Dickey off the bench for 12 points" or "Grasshopper Dudley chipped in with 3 steals” and then all of a sudden, Bill shrieks-- ( I paraphrase)- “SOME HORSE'S A** JUST DUMPED A CUP OF LAGER ON ME AND THERE ISN’T A MAN WITHIN 4 ROWS WITH THE TESTICLES TO POINT HIM OUT!" You really thought he was going to drop his mike and go fist city with whoever dumped the beer on him. Great moment, great guy, hall of fame announcer. - Larry W.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of the great Bill King. For most of my 46 years, his famous "Holy Toledo", has been a part of my vernacular...as well as countless other gems he has shared with me and other fans of his work. His spirit will forever float the airwaves of the broadcasts that he has greatly influenced and enriched. He will be missed. - Longtime fan, Brent W.

I don't think I can pick out a particular call or instance to remember Bill by. I love baseball and I love the A's, and that makes Bill King my best friend because he had such passion in his broadcasts. I never missed a one: whether I was at the ballpark with my radio on or just relaxing at home, I always looked forward to his calls. My favorite games were the ones with a rain delay because I knew that Bill and Ken would take the mike and just give us our fill of all their knowledge on so many subjects. It was wonderful. I wish Ken all the best in these years to come. I'm sure it will be hard to return to the booth with a new partner, but I know he will do it with panache and I look forward to the A's games and any memories of Bill he cares to share. - Gayle C.

Growing up in the Bay Area in the 60's, I have many fond memories and listening to Bill King doing Warrior & Raider games belongs near the top of all those memories. In all my travels I have listened to many good play by play announcers but none of them come close to matching Bill. His style was detailed, sincere & passionate. He will be missed but not forgotten. Happy sailing, Bill. - Bernie (Oregon)

Today was truly one of the hardest of my life. When it comes to a person that I really never knew personally, only the death of John Lennon affected me more than the news I heard today about Bill King. Upon reflection, I really did know Bill. He was my companion through thousands of hours of games in three sports from 1968-present. As an only child, Bill's voice became my companion in my childhood, my inspiration and passion as a teen and young adult fan, and my tried and true faithful friend in recent years. Countless summer nights were spent in my garage with Bill, agonizing and thrilling over some great teams and great sports moments. No matter what you were experiencing in life, you always knew that Bill would be there, describing something you loved at the appointed time. You could always count on his excellence and preparation. He painted an incomparable picture of events that transported you from that dark little place where you were listening in front of your radio to the bright lights and excitment of the events he was witnessing. To the Bay Area sports fan, his voice was the soundtrack of our lives. We shall never hear his kind again. How will we go on? We must, and we will. But for me a piece of the world's wonder died with Bill yesterday. Peace be on you Bill. Thanks for all that you showed us through your incomparable work. I miss you already... - Bruce S.

In my youth, it was not an iPod but a transistor radio that was a constant companion. Bill King was the reason I spend so much of my disposable income on 9 volt batteries. And when we played basketball, we all wanted to be Nate the Great or Rick Barry but our play by play on the playgrounds of The City were a pale imitation of Bill King's "Holy Toledo!" A part of my childhood died today. I mourn its passing but I cherish the memories. - Bill Y.

To this day, I have never heard a sportscaster with as much intelligence and wit as Bill King. As a Bay Area kid growing up in the 70's listening to Mr. King's brilliant Golden State Warriors broadcasts, I felt we had a personal relationship. I later met Mr. King in the parking lot of the Big A in Anaheim. He was as warm and friendly as I had always imagined, even taking time out to pose for pictures with myself and a few friends. When I called from the East Coast to inform my family of Mr. King's passing, there was a stunned, sad silence on the other end of the line. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear him over the years. Simply put, Bill King was family and will always be remembered. - Jon R, Annapolis, MD

I never had an interest in sports until one day, when surfing radio stations, I came across this amazing voice doing a Hawks-Warriors playoff game making me feel like I was right there seeing the action. After that, I was hooked and couldn't get enough of King. I can't stand the Raiders but always listened on the radio when King was broadcasting. The man knew how to let you see the action on radio. I've lost a good friend but nothing will ever take the memories from me. Bill King was one of the truly good guys and he will be missed. Thank you, Bill. Because of you I will always have a deep appreciation for sports, one that transcends to the human, never the corporate, side. - Steve M.

No one ever called a basketball game better than Bill King did back in the 1970s. His rapid-fire delivery fit the game perfectly and I can still hear the ball bounce and the players make noises as Bill said something like: "Barry to Thurmond down low, fakes once, he shoot and it's DOWN!. Holy Toledo! The Warriors have just taken the lead." It's a big part of my childhood memories and I'll never forget him and never stop missing him. - Chris A.

My family and I have listened to him calling A's games since I was a little girl and I always thought of him when I thought of the A's. I can hardly believe I won't hear his voice calling games next season. My heart is so heavy about this. I feel like I've lost a friend. Listening to him display his knowledge about so much more than baseball on the broadcasts gave listeners so much insight into the kind of man he was and the kind of life he lived...made me feel like I knew him. I used to wonder why he wasn't on the national level since he was clearly the greatest announcer, bringing so much to any broadcast, but listening to him, I understood that he was man who truly understood what was important to him in life. We should all be so lucky to have that kind of understanding. - Indra, Oakland

I want to compliment Bruce Macgowan on his Bill King show last night. Following sports has always been a part of my life, and as a life long A’s and Raiders fan, and in listening to the show last night, I didn’t quite appreciate the role Bill King played in my memories of sport and life. Listening to that call of the Raiders – Browns game last night, I was brought immediately back to where I was when it really happened – picture a seven year old with his dad, sitting in a living room in Daly City around the transistor radio, wondering how George Blanda was going to kick a 53 yard field goal, hanging on every word of Bill’s call and jumping around in the aftermath. In my adult life, my baseball memories of the A’s are with Bill. This past spring, I realized what he brought to the broadcasts through his absence. What I always appreciated was his objectivity and his use of the English language. Throughout the show last night, Bruce captured this in the use of the clips he played. Thanks for an enjoyable night of radio. - Greg C.

I'm 48. My best memory was Bill's call of a home run by an A's baseball player: "Danny Cater just hit a Tater!" As a young person/ballplayer, I thought it was cool this guy could make a HR call rhyme! It has always stuck in my mind! God Bless Bill King. - Snap

As a kid growing up in Sacramento, you were the connection to bigger world, full of substance and excitement. I learned to appreciate the downs with the ups, and I wear them today like badges of honor. Man, the victories are ours forever. I will miss you. Thank you. - David G.

I appreciate your tribute to the legend who is Bill King. I grew up listening to Bill call countless Raiders and A's games. In fact, as season ticket holders with the A's for 7 years, my father and I used to bring a transistor radio to the games to hear Bill's insight to the game we were watching live. Again thanks. - Greg K.

A tragic loss. Takes me back to going to Raiders games at Frank Youell Field in the pre-Coliseum in 1961, listening on a transistor radio (when I was supposed to be asleep) to the SF Warriors playing night games from the Civic Center at 8th & Market, and his filling in for either Russ or Lon during the Giants' pennant winning season of 1962. As he was still broadcasting this year, I simply assumed he'd be at the mike forever. - Mark B.

It was with great sadness that I learned of Bill King's passing. I spent way too many hours listening to him explain to me what was happening at some sports event. He was a true icon to Bay Area sports. - Pat W.

My best memories of Bill King were his descriptions of Al Attles yelling at Sonny Parker when he was doing the Warrior games. We'll miss him. - Steve M.

Today is a sad day. I will always remember Bill King as the voice of the Raiders and Warriors. In 1969, I was 8 years old when I remembered hearing that voice. Bill King in my opinion was the GREATEST radio broadcaster ever. His wit, character and style will always be with me forever. God Bless Bill King, a Raider Nation Hero. - Vern

Growing up in Michigan and being around Tiger baseball meant that I was fortunate to hear George Kell on television and Ernie Harwell on the radio. Bill King was of the same caliber as these two Hall of Fame broadcasters. I can only hope that someday he is recognized for the wonderful experiences he brought to the Bay Area and is elected to the Hall of Fame. He deserves it. - Ken

Met Mr. King years ago 1975/76 at a Warrior pre-season dinner. I'd followed the Warriors during their Championship season and became a fan, based as much on his radio commentary, as the Warriors play. He painted the most visual picture of any radio announcer that I'd ever heard regardless of the sport. We met, reminisced about the season, and he graciously, patiently, listen and responded. From that time on I was a big Bill King follower and listener. I'm sure that I'm just one of thousands he personally touched with his professionalism and enthusiasm for sports et all. He'll be more than missed. - Bill A.

There will never be another Bill King. He was the best and he was uniquely ours ... a part of the charm and fabric of the Bay Area. We should all feel blessed to have listened to him. I'll never forget the passion he brought to whatever game he broadcast. - Ben F.

As a long-time resident and sports fan of the Bay Area, I am saddened to hear of the passing of Bill King. A bright light has been extinguished. He personified sports broadcasting for me, whether football, basketball or baseball. He was the quintessential sports announcer, impassioned, articulate and objective. Listening to Bill King was sometimes better than watching the game on TV. Best wishes to his family. - Paul V.

Ralph,I remember that [Bill's remark about a fan being a 'horse's a**']. It was in '75 or '76. It was a nail-biter in Seattle (I believe),and the beer wasn't spilled on Bill,it was dumped on him seconds after the Warriors won the game. I remember Bill was PISSED and he wanted a piece of that guy, bad...It's funny that I was thinking about thatvery same memory when you brought it up. Anyways,real sorry to hear about Bill. Didn't know he was that ill. I"ve never been an A's or Raider fan,but always listened because of Bill King. - Matt in Pt. Richmond

I can't believe Bill King is gone. He was the voice of summer for me for much of my lifetime. I hope you folks will find a way to play his call of Gibson's home run in game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Everyone always plays the "I can't believe what I just saw" call, but Bill's call was great as well. My one regret when McGwire left Oakland was that we had to hear someone else call those famous home run shots. Bill would no doubt have had something much more eloquent to say than, "Lookie there! Lookie there!" - Dave in Magalia

Sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. I, like thousands of others, really enjoyed listening to him. I had to laugh though, when Tom Tolbert was talking about him. He was saying that Bill was a perfect blend of knowledge, humor and entertainment. He said that if you use too much knowledge, you appear pompous. RIP Bill King. - Martay F.

As a kid growing up in San Francisco, Mr. King was part of my everyday fabric of sports following. On hearing of his passing, I started to reflect on those fond memories of sitting around the radio listening to his broadcasts during the summer. Mr. King, thank you for your talents and many hours of listening pleasure. I write this with heavy heart. Rest in peace. - Barney N., New York

I was very saddened to read of the passing of Bill King. Having grown up in the Bay Area during the '60's and 70's, I can't remember a season when his voice wasn't with us. If there is one word to describe him, I think that it should be "electrifying." Nobody, but /nobody/, could create such excitement and such imagery to make you feel that you were at the game. Sportscasting will never be the same. I hope that his posthumous election to the basketball, football and baseball halls of fame comes quickly. Thanks, Bill, for so many great memories! - Ross H, Nashville, Tennessee

The whole Bay Area has lost a family member today! Sleep in Peace, Bill. - Debbie H.

I join the thousands of your listeners and all of your staff that no doubt mourn the loss of Bill King, a true objective sports reporter. - Karl B.

I will always remember, and will profoundly miss Bill King. As a young boy growing up in the late 1960's in Larkspur, the sound of Bill King's voice broadcasting the Raiders games made the football-playing heroes all the more heroic. Lamonica, Hubbard, Wells, Otto. George Blanda's game-ending kicks. The Black and Silver. When playing touch football in the street, we would be pretending that we were these players, announcing every pass pattern, run, etc. we ran. But the truth is that it was really Bill King's voice and his broadcasts that we were imitating. Bill was the Raiders. Bill was King. - Mike C.

If you could, please pass on condolences to the family of Bill King. I am a Bay Area native who spent many nights listening to Mr. King and his famous "Holy Toledo" calls. He was one of my heroes, and is one of the reasons I got into broadcasting. - Chris F., News Director/Anchor, Champlain Radio Group

In my opinion, Bill was the greatest sportscaster who ever lived. His generosity and friendship meant the world to me. He was the greatest broadcast partner anyone could hope to have. Our chemistry on the air was real. I will never forget how he welcomed me to the broadcast booth with open arms in 1996. Our partnership and relationship meant everything to me. - A's announcer Ken Korach

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