Comments on: Tonight is Bill Schonely’s big night

By: Abeezy

Abeezy — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:22:01 +0000

Great job Schonz. You made my night!

By: Mike Whitman

Mike Whitman — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:51:14 +0000

I have only fleeting memories of listening to the Schonz, as I typically watched games on TV as a kid. But it was fantastic to hear that voice again last night. Hearing Schonz yell Rip City brought back memories I didn’t even know I had. It was an honor to meet the man, and I hope we get to hear some more Schonz in the future.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:02:22 +0000

It was very, very nice hearing the Schonz again. I don’t care very much about pre-season games, but I turned on the game close to the third quarter just so I would not miss a second. It was great. Brought me back to the old days. I really wish they would have never gotten rid of him. Good job Schonz!!

By: Jim Klee

Jim Klee — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:39:40 +0000

MC vs. Schonz.

MC: They dusted off the MC one more time and pulled the curtain down for the first time to spark things up but, no one in their right mind would want to go back to the MC. It is old and completely outdated compared to the RG.

Schonz: The moment I heard Schonz sign on it was clear he is STILL the man and how painfully average / boring Wheels is. I think it would be hard to find anyone who wouldn’t want the Schonz back front and center! Bring back the legend!

By: 2forLaRue

2forLaRue — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:35:01 +0000

I, like many, used to turn off the TV sound and listen to the radio… last night, I tried to find the radio feed online, but got frustrated and told my wife that I’d be out in the driveway, listening to the Shonz… with a break to put the kids to bed, I was in my car listening… was great to hear the old “climb the golden ladder” and “rip city, baby!” My favorite was when Roy (I think) missed a free throw and Shonz said “do I need to say it?” Rice said something to the effect of “I think you better…” and then the “You’ve GOT to make your free throws!” Freakin’ CLASSIC! (and a comment I’ve thought of plenty of times over the years he wasn’t calling games…)

If Wheels ever does miss a game, I think Shonz would make a fantastic sub!

Nice work, Shonz – and THANK YOU!

By: raftman

raftman — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:52:54 +0000

Outstanding job !!! My young son, who had never heard Schonz call a game, was hanging on every word and loved it. He asked me – “why did he retire, he’s still so good” – and I had to tell him they fired him. Of all the dark doings in the dark days of the JailBlazers, I will ALWAYS remember that day as the darkest. That was the day I knew it was no longer Portland’s team, but the product of a large, faceless, uncaring corporate titan rife with hubris and overconfidence.

That, gratefully, has changed, but I’ll never forget, nor forgive, the Blazers for what they did to Schonely and how it was handled. It was far and away one of the most tasteless, tactless actions they ever took as an organization and the shame of it should follow them forever as a reminder of what NOT to do as an organization.

By: KRK

KRK — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:19:53 +0000

It’s actually kind of funny that I still have cassette tapes! Most people have transitioned to DVD DVRs, but I’m in some ways a stiff who still video tapes programs, which is why I still have a VCR! Strangely too, I think that I bought that tape in 1997; they must have been clearing stuff out at Blazers on Broadway. I’m going to see if somebody put anything from that on Youtube (somebody put Rip City Raphsody on it, I know).

By: Luke

Luke — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:17:03 +0000

I was at the game tonight at the MC and also brought a recording Walkman (remember those) and taped the 2nd half play by play. The place was rockin’ tonight and boy was it loud in the concourse when the Blazers made a good play. The old Coliseum really shined tonight as did the Schonz.

I have to say this though. I have never really got what people liked so much about Brian Wheeler……..I am sorry. Not that I hold him responsible for the whole Bill Schonely fiasco or anything like that, but I felt that he does not really have a great personality as an announcer and there is nothing really unique about his style. And don’t get me started on the whole “boom shaka laka” thing. Sure, he efficient at the job and he does it well I guess, but he has never had me hanging on his every word like Bill did.

I only hope that Bill Schonely is at peace now over what the Blazers org. did to him by letting him go as they did. I feel so blessed to have been there tonight to see the Blazers play once again at the “Glass Palace”.

By: Vincent F

Vincent F — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:47:24 +0000

I loved hearing the Bill Schonely tonight. I grew up with Chick Hearn. Never heard the Schonz in his heyday, but that descriptive style, the old school touches, I just love it. Yes, what a classy move for Wheels to give him the 4th. I thought that might happen. How do you not do that, but a total class move. Very, very good stuff tonight. Thanks Dwight for the forum.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:34:37 +0000

“Good evening, where ever you may be” – put shivers down my spine.

To me listening to Schonely’s play by play is almost like listening to music, it’s so smooth. You can tell how the game is going just by the tone of his voice.

Who knows if we’ll ever get another chance to hear him call a game, that made hearing him tonight that much more valuable. Thanks Schonz!