Molinari: Let’s Give Mike Lange the Honor He Deserves. Now.
This began as a suggestion for Fenway Sports Group executives, or perhaps even a request, more than a year ago.
It has become an urgent plea.
It is time — no, it is way past time — to commission a statue to recognize the contributions of Hall of Fame play-by-play man Mike Lange to this franchise.
The franchise that might not have been around for FSG to purchase if Lange’s work decades ago hadn’t done more to keep flickering hockey interest in this region alive than the on-ice product itself did.
In the couple of seasons before Mario Lemieux arrived in 1984, the Penguins’ woeful performances during games often seemed to be designed to smother any chance of the game truly taking root here. (In retrospect, the only surprising thing about the 1983-84 club that went 16-58-6 to lock up the draft pick that landed Lemieux was that it somehow managed to win 16 games.)
Lange simply wouldn’t let that happen. His knowledge of the game and instincts for it, coupled with the creative sayings that became synonymous with him, was enough to keep people tuning in when the team they were watching gave them little reason to.
And when the Penguins evolved from chumps to champs, Lange took his audience along on an exhilarating ride that few of them, including him, probably ever thought they’d experience.
The bonds forged in those times, both miserable and magnificent, endure to this day.
Now, it’s understandable if the top decision-makers at FSG don’t fully grasp the impact Lange had during his 46 years behind a microphone here. After all, that company is based in Boston and Lange announced his retirement a few months before FSG reached an agreement to purchase the franchise from a group led by Lemieux and Ron Burkle.
There are, however, enough people in the organization — or recently out of it, in the case of retired vice president of communications Tom McMillan — who understand Lange’s importance to the franchise, and who certainly could convey it, if asked.
To date, the only acknowledgement of Lange’s contributions has been to name the media level (that’s the part of the building long known as the press box) after him a few years ago.
Now, that was a fine and entirely fitting gesture, and it’s safe to assume that the people who work there hold Lange in the same high esteem as others who took in his broadcasts.
It’s not a perfect parallel, perhaps, but honoring Lange there seems akin to placing the Lemieux statue inside the locker room/team offices instead of outside the arena, where members of the public can enjoy it.
While Lange’s place in the pantheon of Pittsburgh Penguins immortals, alongside the likes of Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, is guaranteed, that is a figurative distinction. Literal immortality is another matter for everyone, and it’s no secret that health issues were at least part of the reason Lange stepped away from the booth in 2021.
Although there’s no doubt that he understands the depth of respect and affection he commands among those who followed his work on TV and radio, it would be nice if he could see a tangible expression of it.
A banner like the one that hangs in the Enterprise Center in St. Louis honoring legendary Blues play-by-play man Dan Kelly certainly would be appropriate. However, a statue along the lines of that outside Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena paying tribute to longtime Kings broadcaster Bob Miller would be even better.
Lange was always a man of the people, and a statue would allow those who have thought so highly of him for so many years to have a degree of interaction with Lange. A place where photos could be taken, and memories rekindled.
Put it in a concourse. Put it outside of a gate. Doesn’t matter. People will be drawn to it, just as they were drawn to the man it would celebrate.
If it’s a matter of money for FSG, one suspects that a public fund-raising drive would generate more than enough to cover the costs associated with a statue. He meant that much, to that many people.
The bottom line: Build Mike a statue. And get his dog one, too.
Categorized:Penguins
HERE! Here! Absolutely!!! And the dog
That would be a pretty cool addition to the statue–Sam’s Dog!
Spot on Dave. He WAS the Penguins in the early 80’s and the only reason my friends and I followed the team.
Where do I sign the petition?
Fans should realize how often this franchise was hanging by a thread. Mike Lange was an integral part of the thread that held this team in Pittsburgh. His impact on this team outlasted any single player. He is deserving of a statue. I am so glad that he was here for the good times because in his early years winning the cup was a pipe dream
I used to simulcast radio with the tv when lang was moved to radio. I couldn’t listen to anyone call games until eventually the world was forced to. I certainly count as one of those that wouldn’t still be a fan without him
Exactly!! Boy that brought back many memories of how my family and I watched and listened to the games. He was definitely a part of the player family. If all of the past players and past management are willing to put weight behind a statue, it could be accomplished. And the fans will surely want to pitch in on making it a reality!!!
Ger in the fast lane Pittsburgh, the statue is Ready to roll……..
Could not agree more, Dave!!!
Yes, and yes, and yes, and yes… Where is that battery powered bunny when you need one.
Wow, this takes me back to the first time I met Mike Lang in Uniondale, NY, when I was just an early teen. He offered to put our names on TV (back when they used to do that on WPTT) in exchange for one simple favor: getting him a coffee. We happily obliged, and true to his word, he put our names on TV. The story of how we even made it to New York is a fascinating one in itself.Throughout the years,I talked to him a few times. He and Phil Bourque visited a place called Step II/Ecks in… Read more »
One night, we actually walked right by the Ole 29er and Mike Lange at Eck’s right when they were entering the restaurant (Eck’s, closed down a long time ago, had some great wings). Talk about two consumate professionals. It was snowing hard that night, roads were snow covered. But they kept their promise and showed up at their scheduled appearance.
I’ve always wondered if Mike Lange ever wrote a book about his times with the Pens. He has got to have some great stories to tell. Someone needs to sit down with him and get those stories down on paper.
I believe I do remember a night like that. I recall they used to sit along the wall near the door.
I could listen to Mike on the radio, and watch highlights on the local news and feel like I saw the game.
This was before cable TV and all the games were televised.
He did simulcast for so long, many of them by himself. So hard to reach a radio and TV audience at the same time. But Mike connected with his naturally descriptive play calling.
Lets do it. Its well past time and the dog too
Excellent read! And I agree 100%. Get it done now!
Right on Dave. This should absolutely happen THIS YEAR! Mike Lange was simply the GREATEST to ever do it. With a nice statue he will be smilin’ like a butcher’s dog!
Absolutely. Lange is one of the major reasons i hung around as a Pens fan through the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Listened to games on the radio from 97 to 2000 (including every minute of longest NHL playoff game in modern era) as destitute college student at the Rock, because no cable tv. From “It’s ahh hockey night, in Pittsburgh!” to “…and ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has just left the Building!”
HHHEEEEEE DESERVES IT !!!!!!
Great article. got me rooting for Lange now.
Yet me know where to sign the petition supporting this!
Well said!!!!
Need to create momentum. This is the easiest thing anyone can do to honor the most important announcer for their sport in local history. And we’ve have some great ones. There are hockey fans today completely due to by hearing Mike calling games.
He is one of the reasons I started following the Pens in the 80s before Lemieux. Listening on my walkman waiting to be part of the night owl crew after midnight during West Coast games. LEGEND.
Long overdue. Pens should have a fitting tribute for him while he is still with us.