Bulls founding owner Dick Klein (left) poses with original assistant coach Al Bianchi (center) and head coach Johnny “Red” Kerr in the team’s early days. Klein completed his first TV rights deal with Jack Brickhouse in a very unorthodox manner. Photo courtesy of Chicago Bulls.
By George Castle – CBM Historian on January 27, 2017
The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting classic interviews from the archives of CBM historian George Castle’s “Diamond Gems” syndicated weekly baseball radio show, which aired from 1994 to 2010.
In this edition, presented in connection with a new special web site celebrating the life of Jack Brickhouse, the all-time Chicago announcer recalls how he negotiated the Bulls’ first-ever TV contract with Bulls founding owner Dick Klein on a placemat at Matty’s Wayside Inn in Glenview, Ill. Brickhouse was the Bulls’ first TV announcer for the NBA team’s initial seven seasons. Also included here is a clip of Brickhouse’s final Bulls broadcast, a last-minute Game 7 playoff meltdown by the Chicagoans against the Lakers during the playoffs on April 15, 1973 in Los Angeles.
“The Diamond Gems Flashback” also features photos of the interviewees from the one-of-a-kind Leo Bauby Photo Collection, emphasizing Chicago baseball. Many photos are available to the general public directly on Ebay via seller name Soxphotos soxphotos | eBay.
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