Go Crazy Folks: What's Your Fondest Jack Buck Moment?

Sam Sanders June 18, 2012 at 11:26 am

He was at his best as a toastmaster...telling jokes and stories about celebrities of the area

Mary K June 18, 2012 at 11:34 am

Any time one listened to a Jack Buck broadcast was a treat and a half! Best sportscaster of all time. And a renaissance man- a pioneer of talk radio and the call-in format, a deck hand in the Great Lakes as a teenager, a poet and a real mensch.
My favorite Jack Buck moments are actually when he did the morning show on KMOX radio in his own right, and even more so when he subbed for Jack Carney. He'd play Carney's corny play list those mornings and was not a fan. Favorite moments: right in the middle of the wails of "oh, Mandy!" or "Everyone knows it's Windy," you'd hear the record scratch to a halt and Jack would say, "Annnd that's enough of THAT!" Another was, about his drive into work among show-off drivers, "AND they're driving SIDEWAYS on Highway 40." Just saw on the KMOX webpage on Jack that he once interviewed Eleanor Roosevelt, in studio! THAT would be something to hear.

DIANA VOELKER June 18, 2012 at 12:23 pm

Jack Buck befriended a Maplewood man with cerebral palsy and developmental delays who was a great Cardinal fan. He would give him free tickets to games and often a ride home. This man was often made fun of in his life and could never compete with others. The fact that Jack Buck was his friend changed him and made him proud to be who he was. Jack would often mention Tommy as he broadcast the game. When Jack died in 2002 Tommy was crushed and cried for days. He lost a great friend. Carol Buck continued the friendship and kept up with Tommy. In Februry of 2007, Tommy died at the age of 68. Both Carol and Joe Buck paid their respects at the funeral home. .

Gregg Palermo (Editor) June 18, 2012 at 01:22 pm

Tom Ackerman told a great story at a banquet recently about how he, as a young KMOX staffer right out of college, tried to buy lunch for Buck when the two were out one day, and how Jack snatched the check right at the last second, essentially saying "nice try, kid". Bing Devine hired Buck to be the play-by-play voice of the Rochester Red Wings in 1953 after his predecessor was fired for telling a dirty joke at a banquet!

Joe Barker (Editor) June 18, 2012 at 01:43 pm

I just remember listening to Cardinals games on the radio during long car trips. I remember one September game in 1996, the family was heading back home from Nashville and the Cardinals, led by old men Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee engineered a comeback. The whole car listened to the game intently and Jack Buck just painted a perfect picture of the whole scene. He was the best.

Tamara Menees June 18, 2012 at 06:15 pm

To me there is no one who compares to Jack Buck doing the play-by-play of the Cardinals. I grew up listening to Mr. Buck on the radio from the 70's on when most of the Cardinals games weren't televised like they are today. He always set the tone and I didn't just hear the games but I saw them on the radio! On a personal note my father played golf with Jack in a foursome at tournament for Cystic Fibrosis one time and told me how Jack approached my dad and introduced himself (like he needed an introduction!) making my father feel totally at ease and welcomed from the start. My dad said "Jack was a true gentleman and nice guy."

Jenny Price June 18, 2012 at 06:46 pm

I remember I had the opportunity to have my picture taken w/ Jack Buck at the 2001 Winter Warmup. He was walking through the lobby and I asked if it would be ok to have my picture taken w/ him. Jack agreed saying, "That would be fine." Done, then when others started realizing who it was they started swarming him. Jack simply put up his hands and said, "No, I'm sorry. I must be on my way." I was like the parting of the Red Sea for everyone stepped to the side and uttered not a word as he continued on his way. Wow, he garnered so much respect and his voice is like none other. JFB will forever live in the hearts of Cardinal Nation.

Rick Niblett June 18, 2012 at 08:00 pm

I was photographing the Father Dunn's 90th Anniversary and Jack Buck was the MC. It just happened that eariler tha day I had a Hole in One while playing golf. Mr. Buck found out about it and let all 450 people there that night what I had done. Then he asked me if I used a driver. I just had to laugh. There will never be another like him.

Claire Chosid June 18, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Many years ago, when my son was at Mason Ridge, Jack Buck spoke to the school's Cub Scouts. His Parkinson's was advancing and we were unsure how he would deal with all the boys, their energy and questions. I produced the school yearbook at the time, so I had my camera. My now-25 year old son asked if I thought Mr. Buck would be signing any autographs. I told Alex about Parkinson's and how it limits your ability to control signing autographs for a bunch of kid. Mr. Buck was charming and had loads of energy. He answered the boys questions, told the group how some of his kids went to Mason Ridge and that he used to live very close to the school. The kids were enamored, as were the parents. I asked if he felt up to a group photo and he replied, "It would be my pleasure!" He proceeded to take photos with any child who wanted one. Alex pulled his baseball out of his pocket and asked if Mr. Buck would sign it. He did. Then he asked if any of the boys would like an autograph. Of course, they did. Jack stayed well into the evening, showing no signs of tiredness. as I walked him to his car, I told him how much I appreciated his kindness to all the Cub Scouts. He told me that, as long as little boys wanted to listen to him, he would be there. That night he taught the kids a lesson in grace, kindness and love of the sport. I know that Alex still has that baseball and I still remember walking a Cardinal great out to his car. He was a real, certifiable class act.

Scott Simon June 19, 2012 at 09:13 am

Having worked with him, being at the '84 Knights of Cauliflower ear banquet and him telling rookie of the year Jeff Dedman, "Deadman, don't wear plaid." Of course the movie with Steve Martin in the title role was out at the time, but Buck said it wearing a plaid jacket...