PHOENIX — Saturday was a somber day for fans of the Phoenix Suns as the team announced that their longtime play-by-play voice, the legendary Al McCoy, had passed away at the age of 91.
After the news broke about the Suns Ring of Honor member and Arizona Sports Hall of Famer's passing, fans who had been watching and listening to McCoy and his legendary catchphrases ("Shazam!" "Oh, brother!" "Hoop dee doo for two!") flooded social media with tributes showing just how beloved McCoy was in the Valley.
Social media reaction to Al McCoy's passing
Rex Chapman
Rex Chapman, who played for the Suns from 1997-2000, reposted a 12News video from when McCoy retired at the end of the 2022-23 season, and said, "Suns legend Al MCoy has passed away at the age of 91. Al was like a second dad or extra grandad to a lot oof us. He traveled with us, ate with us, drank with us, told us to stop bitching at the refs, hugged us, & loved us. We loved him back. Rest, Al."
Eddie Johnson
Former Sun and current team broadcaster Eddie Johnson posted, "RIP Mentor!"
Lina Washington
12Sports journalist Lina Washington, who grew up in the Valley, posted a thank you message to McCoy.
Tom Leander
Suns broadcaster Tom Leander posted a recent memory of McCoy, which was when McCoy welcomed new head coach Mike Budenholzer to the franchise in May.
Bob Adlhoch
Suns executive producer Bob Adlhoch posted pictures of his time working with McCoy.
Dave Pasch
The play-by-play voice of the Arizona Cardinals, Dave Pasch, called McCoy, "a great mentor and friend."
Dave Burns
Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's Dave Burns said McCoy "was my gateway into this love of Suns basketball."
John Gambadoro
Burns' broadcast partner, John Gambadoro, said "we lost a legend."
Jody Oehler
Fox Sports Radio 910 AM host Jody Ohler shared a memory of the hospitality McCoy showed when the team would invite their radio affiliate on a road trip.
Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals team reporter Darren Urban called McCoy one of the soundtracks of his childhood.
Palmer Black
Palmer Black, a basketball communications manager with the Suns, posted a photo of himself as a child with McCoy and a memory of McCoy calling his dad as a birthday present.
Fan Reaction to Al McCoy's passing
After the news of McCoy's death broke, many fans took to social media to post their memories. Here's a look at some of the posts.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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