In recent months, I've been put to the "test" in remembering the lives of an aunt and uncle, a college roommate, a good friend and fellow sports guy, Mike Newell and now Jim.
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| In life and in a caricature...Jim Zabel was special |
I have purposefully held off writing anything about Jim's passing since it was reported on May 23rd simply because I wanted to soak in the meaning of his life....and his death. Jim was without question....UNIQUE. He had a style unto his own. He thought highly of himself and his past experiences as an athlete growing up in Davenport, Iowa. Some might have thought he was a braggart, but the longer I knew him, I became convinced it depicted his rub with the greats in their profession. He forever spoke of his race with Olympian trackman Jesse Owens. Not that he beat him...but that he saw Owens backside in such quick fashion. He also took great pride in mentioning he succeeded Ronald Reagan at the famed WHO microphone in 1944. In an interview with Reagan, ......came the line Jim would recite thousands of times, "Reagan said if I stay out of Hollywood, he'll stay out of Des Moines". Of course those words had greater significance when the Hollywood star became the 40th President of the United States.
I've often likened Jim to Chicago White Sox broadcaster, Ken "Hawk" Harrelson. Either you think they "talk" one of the worst games in town......or you simply love him. There's no in between. During one of Zabel's broadcasts some time in the mid-1990's, came the line, "I love it, I love it, I love it" in describing a big Hawkeye victory. It quickly became something Iowa fans seized. Jim's line became their line.
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| A Hawkeye fan that shows the marriage between Jim and University of Iowa sports |
In many respects, he got what he wanted with air time and I received my rewards in other ways. In the mid-80's, the two of us traveled to Chicago for the Big Ten Football Meetings. During the day we'd connect with players and coaches and then in the evening we'd head to a local studio to broadcast the "Jim Zabel Show". But it wasn't just any old studio. It was the work/home of Paul Harvey, famed radio man of the 20th century. I recall being ushered into Harvey's office to meet the man who coined, "the rest of the story". If ever I've felt command respect for person it was then.....and so did Jim. I don't recall any other time where he was smitten with the greatness in front of us. At least for that time, I could say, Jim was speechless.
Not only was Jim without words, he did something unless that day he did very little of. That's the only way I can explain what he did. All I remember is, later that night we had a bite to eat at a Chicago eatery and he picked up the check. Not only did he pick up the check, he paid for the meal. And if you've ever heard anything about Jim, it was he was known for being "tight". That evening our relationship became a little tighter, for sure.
There came another time Jim was without words for a much different reason. In 1997, the University of Iowa merged its radio broadcasts into one feed....one lead announcer. And that man was NOT Jim Zabel. Prior to the 1997 season, Iowa had several radio hosts feeding stations across the Midwest. One flagship group was headed by Bob Brooks, one Ron Gonder and then Jim. All that changed with the naming of Dubuque, Iowa native Gary Dolphin to the post. It was a crushing decision for Z. One I don't believe he ever fully recovered from. He was bitter at the University and Dolphin and not exactly in that order. If anything, it was probably hard on Jim who to blame the most.
Iowa tried to maintain relationships with all three men they bypassed for the head job. All were offered some part of the game broadcast....but it wasn't the same. There were some awkward moments for sure during these times.....but I will say one thing, Dolphin handled the entire affair with class. He let Jim have his time and say and of course longer than usual microphone time. Over the years, there came some lessening of the disappointment of the 1997 decision. Some.
During his 48 years broadcasting Hawkeye games, Jim will forever be known for the game he called and the one that actually took place. He had a vivid imagination. I distinctly recall sliding into my stadium seat as a game was about to take place. Over my headset came Jim's call about the captains meeting at midfield for the coin toss. I looked once, then a second time.....straining to see where the heck they where. They had of course been on the field earlier. Several minutes earlier to be exact. But that was Jim's way of setting the scene. And all I could do was shake my head and say to myself, "Jim, Jim, Jim".
Zabel had an unusual way of announcing foreign players names in the sports world. For instance, there was famed golfer, Chi Chi Rodriquez....who became Cha Cha Rod-ga-whez and Ilie Nastsse who was tagged with Il-lille Nah, tasse. Yes...Zabel could make his sports broadcasts interesting. In addition to his radio duties, Jim also worked for WHO-TV serving as the "sports guy" and also hosting several other shows. Most notably were "Let's Go Bowling", which lasted for 30 years and "Beat the Bear". Some of Jim's most fun times were the ad-libs he and numerous characters played during BTB. Zabel often talked fondly of his special relationship with Duane Ellet, from Floppy fame in Central Iowa. Their antics were on the edge and their ratings were off the wall.
In a selfish manner, I will always remember Jim coming to our wedding reception. Most of my side of the family knew I worked with Zabel. But not my wife's relatives and friends. People were like...."what's Jim Zabel doing here?" Jim's presence was something to behold. I'd like to think it wasn't because of a free drink that night.....because we only served wine at the reception! And of course, that was not Jim's favorite beverage.
This week, I was talking to a gentleman about my previous work and background. He asked if I knew Jim Zabel. When I nodded the affirmative he went ahead with this story. "Many, many years ago, my wife and I were coming out of Cristopher's in Beaverdale after a nice evening meal. As we did, I saw some 50 feet in front of us a person who I knew was in the TV business. I said to my wife. Look honey, there's a guy who works for KCCI. Jim overheard me still some thirty feet away said....no, WHO. Then I said to my wife again just as we cross paths, I think he's the weather guy. And Jim says....no, sports. As we continue walking, I say again to my wife, I think it's Ron Stoll. To which Jim, as he's about to enter the restaurant shouts......no....JIM ZABEL.
That story alone was worth waiting the extra week for before writing some words about Jim. Where he might not have always been known to everyone by name......people knew he was somebody by the way he carried himself. Much like the way he wooooooed his second wife Jill.
When she first met Jim, Jill didn't much care for sports and she wasn't enamored with his past. She simply fell in love with the guy. Just for who he was. Much like many of us did.
After a big Hawkeye victory, Jim would often encourage his listeners to "hug their radios" for the sure love of what they'd just witnessed. So for this one last time, I'm going to ask you to do the same thing......"hug yours for old Z".
Thanks for many, many memories my friend.
Thanks for reading,
John
***A Celebration of Jim's Life will take place on Friday, June 21st at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines at 4 p.m. A visitation will take place preceding at 2 p.m. at the same location.
