Friday, June 30, 2006
FSN Pittsburgh will replace Mike Lange with radio man Paul Steigerwald.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mike Lange, the colorful Pittsburgh Penguins play-by-play announcer known for his creative goal calls and whimsical catch phrases, was ousted from the team's TV crew on Thursday and asked to take a lesser role on radio.
FSN Pittsburgh, the sports channel that owns the Penguins' television rights and controls the hiring of the TV announcers, plans to replace Lange with radio play-by-play man Paul Steigerwald.
Years ago, the two announced games as partners -- Lange on play-by-play and Steigerwald as the analyst -- as their broadcasts were simulcast on radio and TV.
Penguins president Ken Sawyer offered Lange the radio job upon hearing that Lange's TV contract had not been renewed, team spokesman Tom McMillan said.
Lange told Sawyer he needed time to consider the offer, McMillan said.
Lange, who worked with the Penguins for three decades, has long been considered Pittsburgh's most popular play-by-play announcer since Pirates announcer Bob Prince, who was fired in 1975 following 30 seasons.
Lange won award
In 2001, the Hockey Hall of Fame Lange honored Lange with the Foster Hewitt Award for outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster.
Lange was known for idiosyncratic calls such as "smiling like a butcher's dog" and "Michael, Michael motorcycle!" Other memorable Lange-isms included "Scratch my back with a hacksaw!" and "Look out Loretta!"
Many of his Mario Lemieux goal-scoring calls have been replayed countless times on various TV and radio outlets.
Steigerwald, who worked with Lange for 27 years, confirmed he will replace his mentor and longtime friend.
"I know this is a very difficult time for him and his fans," Steigerwald said. "The opportunity came up and I figured it was in my best interest to take advantage of it."
Lange was hired by the Penguins for the 1974-75 season, left for one season and had been with them since returning in 1976-77.
A native of Sacramento, Calif., he began his professional play-by-play career with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the old Western Hockey League. He also called games for the San Diego Gulls in the same league before landing the Penguins job.
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