Legendary Heat Broadcaster and NBA Coach Jack Ramsay Has Died

For a decade, Dr. Jack Ramsay, alongside Eric Reid, was the voice of the Miami Heat on Sun Sports, booming out Lenard! And Slamma! after a Voshon Lenard three-pointer or slam, or hollering his trademark for Tim Hardaway: "This away, that away, Hardaway!" Of course, Ramsay was much more than...

By Tim Elfrink

April 28, 2014

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For a decade, Dr. Jack Ramsay, alongside Eric Reid, was the voice of the Miami Heat on Sun Sports, booming out Lenard! And Slamma! after a Voshon Lenard three-pointer or slam, or hollering his trademark for Tim Hardaway: "This away, that away, Hardaway!"

Of course, Ramsay was much more than just a color commentator. His 30-year coaching resumé included stints leading St. Joseph's in the NCAA and pro head coaching jobs with the Pacers, 76ers, and Trail Blazers, where he won an NBA title in 1977.

Ramsay died this morning in Naples. He was 89 years old.

Ramsay was the Heat's color commentator from 1992 until 2002, when he moved on to a job doing commentary for ESPN for games across the league.

He'd been fighting cancer for more than ten years, ESPN reports. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

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Tim Elfrink is a former investigative reporter and managing editor for Miami New Times. He has won the George Polk Award and was a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.

Contact: Tim Elfrink

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