The expressions he used throughout the game broadcasts are legendary. He had the unique ability to make the game come to life so that you felt as though you could see what was happening on the floor when listening to him call the games. – Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller
Rodney "Hot Rod" Hundley died on Friday, more than four years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 80 years old.
“Hot Rod was the voice of the Utah Jazz for 35 years and his voice was synonymous with Jazz radio,” Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller said in a Utah Jazz news release. “The expressions he used throughout the game broadcasts are legendary.
"He had the unique ability to make the game come to life so that you felt as though you could see what was happening on the floor when listening to him call the games. Rod was a very special talent and will be missed by our family as well as Jazz fans everywhere. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Hundley family.”
Hundley was a two-time first-team All-American as a collegiate player at West Virginia, and had a 6-year career with Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers before becoming the New Orleans/Utah Jazz TV and radio broadcaster for the franchise's first 35 years. He retired in 2009 after calling 3,051 games. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 18 months later.
West Virginia men's basketball head coach Bob Huggins was the first to Tweet the news.
Hundley mixed his distinctive fast-paced style with catch phrases — "yo-yo dribble" and "from the parking lot" — and nicknames, such as Karly "The Mailman" Malone, "Big T" Thurl Bailey, and Rickey "Fastest of 'Em All" Green.
“Rod was a true professional, a great personal friend and remains a legend in the NBA broadcast industry,” said Utah Jazz President Randy Rigby. “From his start with the franchise in New Orleans in 1974 when the Jazz were an expansion team, Hot Rod built a fan base that remains unmatchable. With his signature ‘You Gotta Love it, Baby!’ to ‘With a gentle push and a mild arc the old cow hide globe hit home,’ Rod will be remembered as a true scholar of the game and will always remain a member of the Jazz family.”