Goodbye, Jim Lorentz
Sep 26, 2007 NHL
Jim Lorentz announced his retirement yesterday, after 26 years as a Buffalo Sabres broadcaster. He shared the booth with two of hockey’s greatest play-by-play men, Ted Darling and Rick Jeanneret. He cited the long and grueling travel schedule (after 43 years as a player and broadcaster!) as the reason for stepping down.
Lorentz will be missed by Sabres fans of all ages. He has been involved with the team from the beginning, joining the Sabres in the 1971-72 season as a player. He played in the famous ‘Fog Game’ against the Broad Street Bullies, gaining the nickname ‘Batman’ from his future colleague Rick Jeanneret when he knocked a bat out of the foggy air. He joined the Sabres radio broadcast team in 1981 and switched to TV (and the current radio/TV hybrid) later.
What always struck me when listening to the broadcasts of Rick and Jim is how well they worked together. Each one talked at the exact right time, for the right amount of time. Jim’s commentary was accessible to the novice fan, while showing you something you may not have noticed behind the play. I certainly learned about hockey by listening to him. He will be missed.
Matthew Barnaby, John Tucker and Mike Robitaille will all get a chance in the co-pilot’s chair during the radio broadcast of the final 3 preseason games.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Jim Lorentz, retirement, sabres
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