More on the Swirsk

Hey folks, had to get this up there now after glancing at the comments some of you have already sent.

You've all got to believe me on this, this was a family decision, pure and simple. No more money, radio's not nearly as glamorous as TV and when Chuck told me a couple of hours ago that "family has to come first" I believed him.

And you should, too.

Say what you will about him, the dude gave his heart and soul to the team, the franchise and the organization for a decade. He leaves as one of the most recognizable names and faces the Raptors have ever had.

There will be a lot of people sad to see him go.

Now, give me the rest of the night to come up with some more and we'll see you in the morning.

Right now, I've got a pile of comments to post and a newspaper story to write.

Comments

[Derek]

Tuned into many games on the radio, to get the great play by play that with his enthusiam made the game that much more enjoyable.
He will be missed

[Perry K]

I don't know about everyone else but I welcome a change in the television broadcast. Chuck had become so routine and predictable in his play-by-play that my girlfriend and I knew exactly what he was going to say before he said it. While his dedication to the Raptors, their fans and the community were terrific, watching the Raptors was getting to be a little boring. Bring on some new blood to the team and maybe it will help improve the play on the court... maybe?

[Bev Holt - Burlington]

Hey Doug,

Can we retire the voice of the Raptors, the one and only Swirsk, to the rafters? How cool would it be to see a jersey with "Sick, Wicked & Nasty" or "Salami & Cheese" hanging up there?

Thanks Chuck for your passion for the game, Raptors fans will surely miss you and we wish you and your family all the best.

[Zak Rayner]

Chuck will be missed, brought energy to sometimes very boring raps game throughout the years. I gotta ask though Doug... did you have any notion of this coming? I did notice the sentence about shutting it down, "unless something happens."

Thank God, his lack of basketball knowledge, talking about Jack getting drunk and continuously talking about things that have nothing to do with basketball during a basketball game was becoming to much to handle.

In the end, his head got bigger than his body.

[David]

Doug,

I'm not sure if you can answer this, but do you have any idea how long this has been in the works? Obviously, he didn't wak up this morning and land a job in Chicago and quit the Raptors. Did he make this decision before the playoffs? During the playoffs? Its a real shame. We'll be hard pressed to find an announcer as enthusiastic about the Raptors and Toronto as Chuck.

Blogger's note: Chuck told me today the first overtures were made last Thursday.

[K.Wright]

This is a truly sad, sad day for Raptor fans everywhere. Where ever you are right now remove your hat and have a moment of silence for the end of an era in our basketball history. This is truly a sad day for us all. We didn't even get to say goodbye.

[davelaemers]

Well said. Chuck is a class act through and through. He will be missed. Book those tickets for Chicago's first visit to Toronto next year! A standing ovation is the least we can do to show our thanks.

[rajman]

A great promoter of the team and the sport?...yes! A fun guy? Without a doubt.

A blatant cheerleader?...unfortunately, yes! Sometimes, you would like an honest, intelligent interpretation of what is REALLY taking place on the court.

Mike Inglis was a far superior play-by-play man re: technique, flow to the game, etc.

Thanks anyway, Chuck, but maybe it's time to move on as the team moves on...

[Chris Evangelista]

I went to a couple of Raptor games this year, and man, it wasn't the same with Chuck's play by play. Gonna miss him lots!

[Brad]

Wow. HUGE surprise and major disappointment. Whatever people's feelings toward his broadcast style, there is absolutely no question that he brought so much energy and heart to his work. His connection to the fans and how available he made himself shows what kind of humble and engaged person he is. I'm sure this must have been a hard decision for him but as a loyal fan I wish him nothing but the best with the Bulls!

[Lex M]

There was always cheerfulness when the 'swirsk' broadcast a game. When I listen to the likes of Jamie Campbell, monotonously babbling facts on Blue Jay games, I realize how nice it has been to hear Chuck deal with the Raptor games, with passion and colour. There will be no more 'onions, baby onions'.
His Fan 590 radio show is a major plug for his favourite 'Dairy Queen'. I hope that there are some such establishments in Chicago.
Thanks, Chuck, for not taking sport too seriously.......after all, it is just a game. You are a very nice person. It was nice to hear how proud you were to become a Canadian citizen. How this will fit with your life in Chicago, I do not know, but I wish you all the best.
Raptor basketball will not be the same without you. I can't even imagine who will replace you.

[Bill P]

I think Chuck got tired of being in a market where people don't care enough about bball. Look at the ratings for the Raps games. The guy has way too much passion for the game and I felt like it was somewhat wasted in this market.

[GM]

I can understand him not wanting to make the specifics public, but anytime I hear an athlete or coach talk about "family reasons" it always rings hollow. It seems like it's just a safe way of getting out of something knowing no one can call you on it. You say the Bulls made overtures to him, so it doesn't sound like he was looking for something.

[chaz]

gonna miss the guy, great broadcaster

[J.Dhillon]

I don't believe this. It feels almost like a betrayal. Chuck was not just the Raptors' annoucer, he WAS the Raptors for me. I've never watched a Raptors game without him calling the play. He was the one person you could count on to be there from season to season.

Say what you will about his over the top style or knowledge, etc, but, the man was pure passion. Chuck is hands down one of the best announcers in the entire league. Raptors fans will come to realize next season how stale the game will feel without him. Even during the times when the Raptors were in a slump, or a losing streak, he still kept the game interesting. You know how hard that would be for any announcer when their team is down by 10, 15, or 20 points, every single game?

I just hope that Chuck didn't leave due to similar reasons to Antonio Davis. I thought it was incredible that he became a Canadian citizen but if he left because of similar reasons to Davis, then that would be a huge disappointment. I can't help feeling that he would have stayed had the Raptors gone on to the second round.

Chuck deserves more respect than he's getting on here and a standing ovation when the Bulls come to town. Believe me, Chuck was one of the best things to ever happen to the Raptors.

[Andrew Gregg]

Good Riddance. And I can't believe Chicago wants him back. To me he's small-market all the way, better suited to the Columbus Blue Jackets than the Toronto Raptors. He's a man of cliches--unfortunately cliches from other people with his "mojo working" and his "show me something-something." Even though the "salami and cheese" bit was moderately inspired, his act got tired several years ago. And in spite of his trumpeting the Toronto market and his newfound "Canadianess," I don't think he ever really understood the community here.

Let's see how far his lame Harry Carey impersonations go with the Bulls.

AG, Toronto

[dark kent]

i suspect there will b a warm welcome awaiting mr. swirsky when the bulls come to toronto next year

[Justin Tetreault]

We get it. You're friends with Chuck. That doesn't mean Raptors fan should feel any less betrayed because you are ok with his decision.

[Josh Stern]

Say it ain't so! Suicide is my only option...

[Aaron Campbell]

I'm completely shocked, especially after he became a Canadian citizen and all.

I know people called him a homer, but man, I don't know anyone else who can put forth so much enthusiasm towards the sport.

This is a sad day for Toronto bradcasting.

[Carolyn]

Sounds kinda fishy saying all of a sudden its for "his family".. Huh??
He just became a Canadian citizen.. and what has his Family got to do with Chicago since he's been settled here for how long?

Anyway.. He WAS getting a bit tiring with his onions and salami..and repetetive Chucky Do-gooder approach to the harsh realities of Life today.

I wish him well..
seems to me he's either kinda confused about which side of the border he wants to be on.. or did he get the boot from the Canadian side??

Life goes on.. just a simple Thanks Chuck you did a good job..
will you tell us now what the REAL reason is that you're a Yankee again???
Good Luck!!

[Andrew]

Shocked. Totally shocked.

The Swirsk just became a Canadian citizen! That is a huge leap to take if you are thinking about leaving the country to go back to your home.

Doesn't make sense unless something just hit the family radar screen very recently.

Why would you, as a public figure, go through the citizenship process in foreign country after working there for a decade, only to return to your own country a few months later?!

Something doesn't add up....I am eager to hear the rest of the story.

Swirsk, come on man, you owe it to your fellow Canadians-WHAT'S THE REAL DEAL?

[Sean Hakim]

Listen up everyone. Chuck doesn't owe anyone anything. Yes, he was a great broadcaster. Yes, he was important in the community. I wonder how many people blogging here actually have families. Wives, husbands, kids. If you don't, than you have no right to say Chuck betrayed you. Do you sit at his table every night for dinner? Are you his best friend? How than can he possibly betray you?

If you know anything about him, than you would know the man adores his family and would do anything for them. Much like most people who have kids, I would do anything for mine as well.

It was a job he had. Get over it. The only constant is change. Don't embarrass yourself saying you feel betrayed. Guess what, people change jobs. It happens.

Remember all the great memories, and lets move on.

If you still feel betrayed than get a life.

Good luck Chuck. We'll miss you.

Go Raps.

SEAN

[Chris KB]

I hope the change is good for Chuck. I dont know for sure, but I imagine he has had no life during the basketball seasons here. Doing TV, his blog, appearances and then his radio show on top of it all must be just brutal on him leaving him with zero time to enjoy life or any time with his family. Best wishes to him.