Legendary broadcaster and voice Jim McKay died at his home in Monkton, Maryland due to natural causes, on the day of the Belmont Stakes.  I point that out because McKay said his favorite sport was horse racing and Big Brown will be attempting history today. 

He was host of ABC’s influential “Wide World of Sports” for more than 40 years, starting in 1961. The weekend series introduced viewers to all manner of strange, compelling and far-flung sports events. The show provided an international reach long before exotic backdrops became a staple of sports television.

McKay — understated, dignified and with a clear eye for detail — also covered 12 Olympics, but none more memorably than the Summer Games in Munich, Germany. He was the anchor when events turned grim with the news that Palestinian terrorists kidnapped 11 Israeli athletes. It was left to McKay to tell Americans when a commando raid to rescue the athletes ended in tragedy.

“They’re all gone,” McKay said.


A scattering of non-obvious career and personal highlights:

– Served in the Navy in WWII

– Was the first sportscaster to win an Emmy. Â 

– Traveled 4 1/2 million miles to work events throughout his career.

– Covered more than 100 different sports in 40 countries.

The Associated Press: Sportcaster Jim McKay dies at 87