Silence Befalls the Bay Area

I'm really sad...

this is nto true.

i'm shocked.

should have a thread later where people can share their memories of King. I think once this has sunk in a bit to talk about what a great announcer and person he was.

I'm a  27 year old man. I cried while reading the news. I've been listening to Bill ever since I can remember. I don't want to believe that there won't be anymore comments during the game about what Bill is eating...

I was afraid that something was going on with him, even though the reason seemed valid.  I at least figured that he'd be retiring sooner than later.

But guys like Bill King don't retire, they go out with their boots on.

Holy Toledo!

   There is no way one can duplicate the feats of an individual who sculpted my view of the sporting world as Bill King did.

 Warriors, Raiders, Athletics. It's unbelievable to think that he was the best regardless of which sport he broadcasted. His committment to conveying the action by capturing the moment both in vocabulary and intonation will never be repeated. His objectivity and insight was unparalled. His preparation was legendary.

   With all due respect to Lon Simmons, Bill King, in my opinion deserved to be in the MLB HOF.

   Holy Toledo! You were a part of my life. Thankyou.

He was the absolute best, especially in the 9th inning. He could even narrate a blowout and have you on the edge of your seat.

You will be missed.

Tears...

I can't believe it. I can't believe we won't hear his voice, humor and opinions anymore. This is just too harsh. I don't even know what to type next...

they are doing a great job getting on Lon Simmons, Ted Robinson and Greg Papa.

at the time he was announcing the Warriors, he was absolutely the best basketball announcer ever.  He was studying Russian at the time and I was a Russian translator so we had that in common.  A delightful individual.  I would guess Bill King to be about 75, possibly a few years older.  I like all of you am so sad to hear this.

For me he was the best, too.  His voice is as much a part of the A's games as strikes and balls.  I used to listen to Raiders just to hear him call the game.  Warriors, too.

What I liked the most about him, and this goes for Kourach and Fosse, is that he'd call a great play a great play no matter if it was a game loser for the A's.  He had this wonderful objective enthusiasm for baseball that exceeded other announcers.  Lots of announcers are so biased toward "their" team, that the broadcast loses some quality...can't really describe it.

Anyway, his call of hatteberg's hr for the 20th victory was awesome.

The game, actually the world, will never be the same without him. He was one of those rare individuals that just made the world better when he talked. Thank you for the memories.

RIP

Bill I can't thank you enough for all the years of enjoyment you have given me!  I am so devastated this is such a huge loss to A's fans... ESPN doesn't even have anything mentioned yet..I wonder why? this is as huge a loss as when St Louis lost the beloved Joe Buck

I never knew him, and yet he's been a part of my life for more than half of it. He's like the old friend you always look forward to seeing. This is really terrible news.

Many times I've felt like Bill King was a bigger part of the A's identity than anybody else. Since I've been an A's fan, we've hundreds of people come and go..the McGwire's, Eckersley's, Stewarts, Giambi's, LaRussa's, Alderson's, etc. He was the only constant.

I'm REALLY going to miss him.

I'm an A's fan in large because of Bill King and Lon Simmons keeping me company through a long lonely summer in the late '80s, when the A's were just beginning to get interesting again because of a couple of kids named Canseco and McGwire.

I'll miss you Bill!

Not the way to go. He should have been able to see some sort of retirement ceremony. At least give us A's fans a chance to show how much he's meant to our lives.

The A's are just not the same without him.

Never knew him, but clearly a modest man. A knowledgable man, who was loved by all of us.

Here's to you, Bill.

This is the saddest day I have had in quite sometime.  For all Bay Area sports fans Bill King was a member of the family.  I remember first hearing his voice while listening to the Raiders and then the Warriors, and finally the A's.  As a Warrior radio announcer it was like watching the game on TV, Bill King was so descriptive and fast that you knew where the ball was on the court, who had it, and the score. I remember listening to the Heidi game since all home games were blacked out then.  I always listened to the Raider radio games and turned the sound down on TV, just because of Bill King.  I just cannot write much now, I'm trying to keep the tears from flowing, and I'm 47.  I will never forget this day, the hot stove league and spring seem so small and far away now.

Rest In Peace Mr. King, we will always miss you!

and saw the bottom line.

I was helping my son do homework and had to tell him to stop for now.

I like everyone else is here am in shock today.

I knew he wasn't well but, I wasn't ready for this.

I was so looking forward to hearing him again this Spring on the radio.

I would go all Winter looking forward to hearing voice.

It always meant hope and a chance of something new.

I loved rain delays inwhich he would tell some of his best stories.

Perhaps the A's or someone close will publish a CD of his greatest calls and stories.

RIP King you were the best!!!!

And "Real Good Looking Boy" is making me cry.

Nothing better than growing up in the Bay Area in the '70's listening to Bill King.  I remember those days listening to Raider broadcasts...wow, like it was yesterday.

from when I was a small child.  I must have been about 7 or 8, circa 1974.  Oakland was on top of the sports world, and sports was my life.  I went with my Grandfather to a VFW gathering of some sort, and Bill King was there.  Of course I knew who he was immediately, and he was talking to my grandpa!  I was beside myself with envy and glee, for I was in the presence of greatness.  Bill King was the voice of Bay Area sports, and I had no end of interrogation for him.  I would soon be able to talk shop with Bill King - for I did not dare interrupt my grandpa.  Bill and Admiral Harry (my grandpa) were deep in conversation about grapes and weather and warm ocean water and the effects on local fishing (both were men of the sea, and both were inclined toward scientific observation).  I have always remembered the conversation because I recalled it 10 years later when I began hearing of El Nino weather patterns.  Eventually it got boring, and I think I wandered off to play.  When my grandpa returned, I lamented the fact that I had not gotten my chance to speak with King.  My grandfather brought me back to meet him.  I asked him a few questions, and he was very polite and answered them.  Then cut me off and told me he was just a sports announcer - I should ask my grandpa to  tell or read me some of his stories - that they are far more interesting and important than the sports questions that he can answer for me.  He was really only trying to diplomatically excuse himself from me (some annoying little kid), but he handled himself with a grace and dignity that I always have remembered.  I had never been so proud of my grandpa, who was complimented that way by Bill King.  Bill King made an impression that has lasted a lifetime, more for what he didn't talk about than what he did.  Just a sports announcer?  Hardly.  I will be a while until there is another who can speak so eloquently and competently about wine, weather, war and sports the way you could, and who has the humility to tell a kid to idolize his family, not some sports personality.

From what I can gather:
He went in to get his hip repaired, a clot formed during recovery, which the doctors did not catch, part of it broke off, and it blocked a artery in his lung.  

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/ue4084/

Thank you San Leandro Memorial Hospital.

I am so sad and shocked.

Bill was such an amazing person.  I feel so lucky to have been able to listen to him while he was still with us.

Do you think the A's might do a special event to honor him?  I really hope so.

Thanks for all the memories Bill!  

in Boston during the 1998 season. The A's were playing a night game and he was spending his day in typical and classy fashion: at the Museum of Modern Art. He was as warm and friendly as any celebrity could possibly be.

This is probably the bleakest day in A's history for a long time, at least since the city announced the Raiders return to Oakland, if not since losing the 1990 WS.

Bill King was the reason I listened to the A's, don't know if I'll ever be the same kind of fan...

And despite not having a direct impact on the team's record, I think this will affect the fans much more than any free agent / trade.

I hope his blessing of our team continues from the announcer's booth in the sky.

Bill - We'll miss your voice, but the memories of your calls will be everlasting.  I hope we'll get to hear one more 'HOly Toledo!' in memory of you.

I would pay money for those.  Just to listen to in the darkest days of the offseason...

he knew how  much he meant to us. . .

...the World will go on and the AN will go on, but both will be poorer by his loss.  Go with God, Bill and thank you for what you have brought to us over the years.

It's like losing a close friend.  Bill, you will be missed terribly!

his voice sort of warbled, didn't sound right.  Little did I know that was the last I'd here of one of the greatest that ever lived.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly, grim, and ancient raven, wandering from the nightly shore.
Tell me what the lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore."
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

If so, it probably would've been fun for him.

My favorite King rain delay story:

He was on the road, walking around town looking for a restaurant (of course.) A woman stopped him and said "I know you!" I guess he figured she was a fan, and stopped to say hello. Then she said "YOU'RE THE DEVIL" and insisted that bill was indeed satan (because of the beard maybe?). Finally Bill couldn't take it anymore, so he relented and said "Lady, you got me. You're right. I'm the devil. But I know where you're going, and I'll see you later."

paraphrased, of course. He told it much better.

RIP Mr. King, you'll be missed.

A very, very big part of Bay Area baseball and Bay Area sports. Too bad he didn't call a 49ers game, because he literally did everything else there is to do in this region.

A guy I know met Bill last year, and said he was about 80. So this day was coming, but for it to be so sudden is bad, although I'm sure he's pleased to be with his wife now. :(

The soundbites will come. MLB.com will probably put up a page eventually. Next year, remember to vote Bill for the Frick Award for broadcasting excellence.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2196121

This was the first season I listened to A's games -- any baseball game, really -- on the radio, and I can't imagine listening next season without hearing his voice. Whether it was casual chit-chat about growing up on a farm or calling the GW walk against Seattle in that five-run bottom of the 9th, I found myself transfixed.

From a newbie fan to a veteran sportscaster, thanks for the memories, however few mine are. You're already deeply missed.

He couldn't hit a ball or throw a strike, but somehow Bill King was as important a part of the A's as any player or manager. This is heartbreaking. There was instant comfort in turning on the radio and hearing his play-by-play. Future seasons will never be the same. Now we must win the '06 WS, in honor of Bill.

this is horrible.

RIP bill.

We love you!

Wow, Bill King....

I can't believe it.  Who will scream "Holy Toledo!" when a great play is made, or a player goes yard?  I can still hear him calling McGwire's homers.

I've been listening to him since before I can remember, and whenever I listen to the A's on a radio or over the computer, I will think of him for decades to come.

I will definately be making a donation in his name to one of his orgs.

We'll miss you, Bill.  RIP

I'm 34 years old and every fond memory I have, at least right now, seems to have Bill's voice on the radio in the background.  Never met the man, but for some reason I'm choked up and reading the computer through a blur of tears.  
But I picture him somewhere talking baseball with the greats next to some field of dreams and I feel better.  Whatever works, I guess.

So long, Mr. King.  You are sorely missed.

Bill King comleted this season too bad he won't get to see the boys in white shoes win a title again from the box, but now we have an angel in the outfield.  I don't know what expect when I turn to an A's broadcast now. Thank's for all the memories Bill.

he, more than anyone in my short lifetime WAS the A's.

More than that, he was the Bay Area's sports voice, an institution.  This is the saddest day I can remember as a fan.

He will be missed by all.

R.I.P.

Bill would talk about how the days were getting shorter, and how he hated that, the dying of the light.

And I always felt the same.

Baseball, by its nature, usually doesn't end the way you want it to. In May and June, when the weeks seem to run together in a child-like eternal summer, and the days get longer every day... there is limitless potential.

When the days run down, there are records, finality, Raider game damage, oddly huge rosters and the cold knowledge that it's all going away again soon, that it all goes away soon.

Bill King, in quiet good humor and relentless humility, raged against the dying of the light.

May we all find greatness in his example, and his memory.

The sddest news I have heard in a very long time. I only hope that maybe some of you/us/anyone has the time and resources to make him a website. If we could get a bunch of photos, soundbites, quotes, etc in his honor, I would be happy to pay some time or effort or money into that. I wish I had something more to say that wasn't just an echo of all the sentiment here, but I can't even find the words right now. Best wishes to the surviving members of his family. RIP Mr King. You were truly a King amongst men.

period. From the A's to the Raiders, we'll miss you dearly Bill!!!

On the A's column on the right side, click on "A's win on bases-loaded walk."

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20050907&content_id=1201057&vk ey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

If only for the Lazarus reference and the arson warning, this has to be one of my recent favorites.

His skill justifies the existance of Hall of Fame broadcasters, and I'm sure he'll take his place there soon.  Alas, that it is posthumously.

If he'd had national attention, he'd be talked about alongside Vin Scully, and well ahead of Harry Carey, and miles beyond anyone on ESPN or Fox.

What an irreplacable man.

I'm too young to appreciate Bill King during his days as a Warrior announcers. Fortunately, KNBr has been playing some clips from his basketball days. He was FREAKING awesome!!!!

Got me thinking if anyone can make a ling or has a link to Bill King's classic moments???

What would that include?

Truly a legend.  The A's won't be the same without him; his presence is irreplaceable.

And decent sports broadcasting in the Bay dies with him. RIP Mr. King.

I can't say it any more plainly than that. The Kinger was the best play-by-play voice ever. RIP.

I can't remember the last time I felt so sad about the passing of someone I didn't know personally. I heard the news on the radio while driving a rental car down a Florida highway. I kept saying out loud, Oh no, Oh no, Oh no. As soon as I checked into my hotel I rushed to log into AN.

What made King so great is that his passion wasn't limited to baseball. During any given game you'd hear references to opera, Shakespeare, the bible, and all sorts of erudition. I'll miss his wicked digs at Arlington. He lived a rich, full life.

One recent King gem keeps ringing in my head. I'm pretty sure it was the "Sulk Off" victory over the Angels. After breathlessly describing Kendall's mad dash home he proclaimed: "And THAT was one for the books."

We will miss you so. Bill, next year is for you.

This sucks. =(

the best announcer i've ever heard, you should be in the hall of fame. thank you for years of brilliant broadcasting. you will be missed

I join everyone here in your sadness, even though I've only been here in the area for a short time.  Bill King was truly one of the very best at craft, and I say this as someone who is kind of a connisseur of sports announcing.  Many of you have mentioned his humor, his knowledge and his one-of-a-kind personality, but the thing that always got me was how welcoming he was as an announcer.  

Tuning in an A's game, his voice always felt like an invitation to stay a while, and not just for that inning or that game, but for the season with the A's, and then for the rest of your life.

Rest In Peace Bill.  I'll miss you dearly, but will remember you forever.

http://24.104.40.88/knbr/bruno1006.mp3

I'm hopeful that the A's will retire his "jersey" on the outfield wall, just like they did with Haas.  Given Bill King's unique notion of sartorial elegance, I think it should be a Hawaian shirt with an A's logo on it.

37 years old and I'm crying like a baby right now... Holy Toledo!

I've spent the majority of my 40+ yrs enjoying the great Mr. King's calls.
I can clearly recall his sweetly unique voice calling Marcus Allen's 76 yd td run in the Super Bowl, Dave Stewart's shutout in gm 1 of the 89 series, Rick Barry's free throws to beat the Bullets in the nba finals, Rickey Henderson's 939th stolen base, and on and on and on....

Bill's in a better place now, unfortunately we can't be there to listen.
Great people carve out their own legend, and that was certainly Bill.

I just don't know if I can turn on sports radio anytime soon knowing I'll never hear his voice again.

bill king is as much of a bay area icon as fentons. i always felt he was underrated, much like the entire a's franchise.  bk - you were like a sports father to me.  i know you'll be right up there announcing those afterlife games ...

holy toledo!

this on other boards as well, but i am just in shock. I found out this afternoon from my brother while i was making posters for some of my high school sports teams. I got the message and i went outside to call my dad to make sure that my brother wasn't lying and as soon as my dad confirms it, Meaghan Crowley (A's president Mike's daughter) comes up and I just sat there and told her. We were both crushed... My prayers go out the the King family, all of his friends, the A's organization, and everyone else affected by this loss. RIP Bill, you will never be forgotten.

This is horrible.

I was just thinking yesterday how I couldn't wait for spring training, so I could just turn on the radio and hear his voice.  He was so great for spring training, because you hadn't heard him in months, and suddenly there he was.  Like an oasis after the winter desert.

This is really horrible.

Remember how he'd get pissed and call an umpire "a paragon of ineptitude"?  God damn it.  This is really horrible.

How can we ever live without the indomitable King calling the A's?  

I remember at games I attended in person and did not listen to I would look up into the press box, just to make sure he was there.  Somehow with King the Magnificent broadcasting, everything seemed right with the world...

"Hey, Martha, let's go out to the Coliseum and do the wave"

Mr King expected attention from his listeners, and a respect for all of the games.