Bill King Doesn't Need The Hall of Fame For Affirmation

 Does Bill King belong in the HOF? Of course. But the thing is, were Bill alive today, he'd be laughing and saying, "enough, please, just enough," along with a few other coarse things not appropriate but we won't go there.

 

The thing is ...BILL KING doesn't need the baseball HOF, or any hall for that matter. And Bill, again, would be the first to say that. Those of us who had the pleasure and honor of listening to the master for many of those years knew Bill was Bill and Bill doesn't need any damn affirmation to be the legend that he is and was. Damn the awards, the accolades, the fake, pimped-up, vote-stuffing, contests to get Bill in some kind of artificial contest.

 

I was fortunate to get to know Bill and beyond being just a great broadcaster, a real announcer, Bill King was one of nicest people in the business. He was gracious, kind, had an incredibly terrific sense of humor and was the consummate professional in and out of the booth. A gentleman.

 

Awards are great. But Bill King not being elected to be in the HOF doesn't mask the affinity nor diminish Bill's legacy in the history of the play-by-play business. All of us who listened to him courtside doing the Warriors; the Raiders, the A's, Bill being Bill was good enough for us. We don't need, nor did Bill, any superficial award--his work transcended any sort of award. Bill is up there in heaven looking down and laughing. I'm pretty damn sure.

 

The HOF needs Bill King more than Bill King needed the HOF.

 

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