Mike Lange passes away at age 76

[Ratsreign]

Mike Lange was as responsible as anyone for the growth of the game in Pittsburgh. Yeah, the players are the reason you tuned into the games, but Lange was a reason to keep coming back even if the team wasn’t so good. Speaking for myself, I was enamored with Lange’s catch phrases as a kid and would repeat them all the time. He made watching the game fun on another level.

RIP to a true legend.

My friends from Pittsburgh still use his phrases

 

[ES]

When I watched NHL Power Week which was dubbed in Finnish but you could hear original play-by-play voices. Two catchphrases I can remember from that era, both by commentators who are sadly no longer with us.

One of them was "heeeeeeeee shoots and scores". And another was "la-la-la-la-la-la-LaFontaine"

 

[Lomez]

His catch phrases are, rightly, very much remembered. However, often over looked is that his play-by-play calling was fantastic, he knew what he was doing, appreciative of the game and its players, no matter the team, and his sense of tempo and drama was amazing.

 

[SomeDude]

Another aspect of Lange’s work that was impactful to me was how much more effort he put into the bigger moments. He stepped up just like the players on the ice.

The extra emotion in “Heee shoots and scores” for a big playoff goal never failed to give me goosebumps. The Staal SHG in the 2009 Finals immediately comes to mind. You could feel the weight of the moment in Lange’s delivery.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Mario Lemieux is why I'm a hockey fan, but Mike Lange was a close second as a little one. He made the game fun and his calls were infinitely imitable on the playground. In many ways he was the voice to my childhood and was very frequently the best part of watching some brutal teams. They don't make 'em like Lange any more, and we're all worse off for it. RIP Mike, you will be missed.

"I'll meet you in the schoolyard, baby, for all the marbles."

 

[shills]

My favorite memory.

Mine too. So electric and his call there is so great.

I was lucky to have spent many a night with him at a local out-of-the-way watering hole circa mid-90s -- and to paraphrase him, "you'd of had to have been there to believe it" -- but I have many great memories of just sitting there with him at the bar, talking about baseball and the world and he couldn't have been a nicer, more generous person. Have missed him very much since he retired, but I'll never forget him.

 

[Dallas Winston]

"Gave him more moves than Mae West" an all time great call.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

 

[Sampe from the 2000s]

When I watched NHL Power Week which was dubbed in Finnish but you could hear original play-by-play voices. Two catchphrases I can remember from that era, both by commentators who are sadly no longer with us.

One of them was "heeeeeeeee shoots and scores". And another was "la-la-la-la-la-la-LaFontaine"

I too learned to appreciate him while watching the NHL Power Week. I've been a Penguins fan since the very first NHL game I saw on TV back in 1991-92, and Mike Lange is my favorite Penguin alongside Mario. Now it's my dad's (born in the same year as Mike, died ca. 20 years younger) turn to enjoy his catchphrases.

 

[spiny norman]

A true legend.

RIP

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Another aspect of Lange’s work that was impactful to me was how much more effort he put into the bigger moments. He stepped up just like the players on the ice.

The extra emotion in “Heee shoots and scores” for a big playoff goal never failed to give me goosebumps. The Staal SHG in the 2009 Finals immediately comes to mind. You could feel the weight of the moment in Lange’s delivery.

One of my favorite Penguins goals and calls of all time. Instant goosebumps, like you said. Absolutely special moment.