The sports world is weeping a bit this morning with the news of Dick Enberg’s passing.

He was one of the greats.  There are many greats.  Many voices of sports.  Many we love, too many we don’t.

The news got me to thinking, in 50 years, what voices will be remembered by today’s youth?

We were lucky to grow up when we did: Vin Scully, Harry Caray, Joe Garagiola, Al Michaels, Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson, Mel Allen, Chick Hearn, Ernie Harwell, Jim McKay, and many more.

We’ve been lucky to grow up in a sports world where the voices we listened to remained in place for many, many years.

Do you see the day when your children are listening to 80-year-old men call games?  I certainly don’t.

I hear people all the time talk about the greats.  I’ve never heard anyone speak ill of the likes of Scully or Enberg. Okay, Howard Cosell wasn’t universally beloved.

But today’s broadcasters: Joe Buck, Michael Kay, Gus Johnson have their detractors in a different way. Cosell was respected. Michael Kay? No. That to me, means he and some of his colleagues won’t be viewed the same way when they pass on.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet Scully and bumped into Enberg in an airport a few years ago.  Great gentlemen from a different time. I imagine the other greats would be just as genuine and approachable.

Joe Buck…nah.  Collinsworth…one dimensional. Costas…was great until he became political. Patrick…doesn’t do play by play.

I’m sure there are some greats out there I’m not thinking of as I mourn Enberg, but I can’t think of them right now…. It’s sad to me that the multi-talented, cross-pollination from sport to sport and the genuine, nice guys don’t seem to  really be in sports broadcasting any more.

The other day my son told me that he wants to be a sports announcer.

Maybe he will bring back the great voices and personalities we’ve loved form the past.

Cheers to you, Dick Enberg.

Thanks for your voice. Thanks for intelligence and class during your broadcasts: football, basketball, tennis, and yes, most importantly, BASEBALL.