Thanks to all of you who enjoyed the show today. It was a VERY tough show to put on for all of us. Every member of the staff knew Norm and considered him a friend. He was probably the nicest, most genuine former athlete I've ever met. He wasn't wrapped up in being a former NBA star...He was just Norm.

We found out Norm passed literally one minute before we went on the air. We weren’t sure how much of the show we would dedicate to ‘Storm’, but as the show moved along we knew that the only thing that mattered to us today was our friend and paying tribute to him.

I knew that his passing would shape our show - and rightfully so - but I didn't know exactly how much it would shape it until the show began moving forward. Norm was bigger than ESPN 1000 and bigger than Chicago. Norm touched everyone that knew him and played against him.

Our bosses Justin and Adam were in full support of the Norm tribute show. They jumped into the studio often to offer support and to help as we plowed forward through a show we knew would be difficult for all of us.

The phone lines lit up with listeners that had stories about Norm and how he touched their lives. The email box was overflowing with stories and memories. Guests were jumping at my requests to join Carmen, Harry and David Haugh to celebrate Norm’s life on the air.

I realized how important Norm was to the basketball world when I called the “Big O.” I called Oscar Robertson knowing he had a great deal of respect for Norm. I just didn't realize how much the news would touch him. Unfortunately, I broke the news to the "Big O" and he was very shaken up by it. He told me that he needed a half hour or so to compose himself before he could join us on the air and share his memories.

I got the same reaction from most of the guests I reached out to. I'm lucky that in my career I get to call guys like Ditka, Rick Barry and Jerry West if the need arises. Most of the time, I'm greeted with a "what do you want now" attitude. Today was different.

Ditka, Jerry West, Rick Barry, Oscar Robertson, Jim Durham and the rest of the guests were all outwardly upset and really wanted to join the show to talk about a great NBA player and an even better man.

It is a testament to Norm that H.O.Fers all over the country would be willing to stop whatever they were doing and give us five minutes to toast his life.

I won’t apologize for spending four hours on Norm. I wish we had more time. I have to give a big thumbs up to Carmen. He knew Norm better than all of us and was probably the most shaken up by the news. Not only did he compose himself enough to drive the show, he added heartfelt stories to shape a tough show.

Tomorrow I hope we can get back to biting our nails over Vinny sitting Rose or what Rex Grossman had to say on his way out of town, but for today I’m proud I was part of a show that paid tribute to an important man in Chicago sports history.

Zederman, heard a little of the show today and I'm glad you did the show in the manner you did it.

Norm didn't get the props he should have from Chairman Asswipe and the Bulls in general so I'm glad you did a full shift remembering Stormin'.

What a loss.

I think you guys did a very good show yesterday Danny, and I was especially impressed with Carmen - as he's younger and hasn't really had to go through one of these before. Carm was a true professional. Ernie's stuff at the end was very touching too.

For finding out right when the show started, I think the 'boyquarium' did an awesome job of getting Norm's friends on the air to throw a log on the fire.

Wow. Great post & great insight. Thank you.

_________________
Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

...and now i guess today's show will be dedicated to kerr.

WHY!


Yesterday's show was very good. I was in the company van for most of the afternoon, and I enjoyed hearing the stories.

_________________

it was the best show the guys have done thus far.

very touching throughout the day. chet, ernie, oscar...

danny you should make the full four hours available on the website.

_________________
@audioidkid

I thought the show was revealing, impromptu, and very well done.

I do, however, disagree with the statement above. He wasn't bigger than Chicago. Neither is Jordan, Payton, or Ditka. Four days a week I drive into the city and I'm never unaffected by the view of the city of Chicago. Chicago is so many things: the music, food, theater, the bustling of the pedestrian commute in the loop, sports, etc. We've had our fair share of icons, but no one person is bigger than this city.

In his heyday, Jordan was.

_________________

I also seem to remember a 70 foot poster of Rodman on the Kennedy that would snarl up traffic from time to time.I would say he was at least as big as some buildings in Chicago.

_________________
"lET ME , Worry about Luca Brasi"

Forgive the cheesy reference... but Dean Stockwell's character had it right in "Air Force One" when he said "No man is bigger than the Presidency." Same with cities. Zederman had his head out over his skiis a bit with that one. They did a fine show Thursday. I heard a lot between 3:10 and 5:30 and it helped me get through the day.

All he was saying is that Norm was important to more than just the residents of Chicago. We had guys on from all over the country...guests and callers. He's had an effect on a lot of people. Which in essence makes him bigger than Chicago.

NEWS FLASH CSFMB 2-27- Production staff of former ESPN host Dan Mcneil , tells Mcneil to pound sand and stay out of AFTERNOON SALOON BUSINESS.

News at 11.

_________________
"lET ME , Worry about Luca Brasi"

Special programming note, with the passing of James Ward, the Afternoon Saloon
will dedicate the 3 o'clock hour on the death of James Ward. All the guys will wear red rimmed glasses, they will be taking calls from chefs in the city, and other food critics who worked beside him. Steve Dolinsky will be in studio.

_________________
Blackhawk goal, scored by number 20, Al Secord.

This is even funnier here than it when you posted it in the B&B section!

You're in a very sarcastic mood today, sir.

_________________
This is my signature...

I'm looking forward to the Red Kerr / James Ward tribute today.

I give yesterdays show:

Breads: 9
Circuses: 9

Well done boys.

_________________
Disclaimer: Most of my posts are not suitable for work or home viewing.

The name's Rockmore. Beef Rockmore

Now what they say today is that Kerr needs to be in the hall of fame. Also good thing they Johny Red Kerr night a couple of weeks ago.

_________________
Blackhawk goal, scored by number 20, Al Secord.

I would imagine it's always tough to decide how much of a show to dedicate to a person's passing and I know that Dan has mentioned wrestling with that in the past as well. But when you have icons like Norm and Red passing on the same day, it's understandable to be pretty absorbed with the coverage and acknowledgements.

I know a lot of you were close to Norm and did the show with a heavy heart. I haven't listened nearly as much as I used to but I tuned in today specifically knowing how close you all were to Norm because I knew the comments were going to be heartfelt.

I could literally feel the pain and sense of loss coming from Steve Cashell (sp?).

_________________
Does your cat make too much noise? Try KITTEN MITTENS!


Charlie: Oh shit. Look at that door dude. See that door right there? That door marked 'Pirate'? You think a pirate lives in there?
Dennis: I see a door marked 'Private.'

I only got to listen to a little bit yesterday driving to work...I agree that they should put the whole four hours on the website...IMHO, a lot of people will probably like to listen to the whole thing

Ex-Media Guy and I got off to a rocky start a couple of months back, but he's becoming one of my favorite guys here.

_________________
Kid Cairo's Boers & Bernstein YouTube Channel

Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

The plot thickens on something that really upset and bothered Norm Van Lier, I just read this in the tribune's article about his wake/funeral:

(Johnny) Kerr's sister, Joan, attended Sunday's wake for Van Lier and disputed the notion that Kerr did not invite Van Lier to be part of his special ceremony Feb. 10 at the United Center. "Red loved Norm," she said of the mix-up. "He was on Johnny's list."

_________________
Disclaimer: Most of my posts are not suitable for work or home viewing.

The name's Rockmore. Beef Rockmore

That's disturbing. The Bulls probably won't offer any explanation either. There's absolutely no reason Norm shouldn't have been front and center at the ceremony.

_________________
Kid Cairo's Boers & Bernstein YouTube Channel

Kid Cairo: 2013 March Madness Tournament Winner!

"Cowabunga? Cowa fucking piece of dog shit! This game is diarrhea coming out of my dick!"

He should have been the emcee if nothing else.

_________________

This is nothing more than random and reckless speculation, but I've been wondering. I've heard a few reports that Norm had been depressed lately. We also know that the Red Kerr snub bothered him deeply. Any chance he played a part in his death? Has there been an autopsy report or cause of death yet?

_________________
"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

Kerr played a part in Norm's death and it might be revealed in an autopsy??

Anything's possible, but I'm pretty sure they've ruled out foul play in Van Lier's death and there is no reason to believe that Kerr had a motive to kill him.

Yeah, I thought Red killed him and then died.

I guess I should have been more clear: has suicide been ruled out?

_________________
"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

The whole show is now podcasted in our section...enjoy. Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't think it happened, but what if Johny Red Kerr killed Van Lier and then killed himself, how would that get talked about in the media.