Phoenix Suns honoring Al McCoy's retirement for 51 seasons as 'Voice of The Suns'
Phoenix Suns will honor Al McCoy at halftime of Sunday’s final regular season game against the Clippers at Footprint Center as he’s retiring after his 51st season as “Voice of the Suns.”
There will be a halftime presentation for the Hall of Fame broadcaster, who will be joined by family. McCoy will retire after this 2022-23 season.
Sunday will be Fan Appreciation Day as the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of Fry’s Food Stores.
The game is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.
Working as the team’s play-by-play announcer, McCoy, 89, is the longest active broadcaster with one team. He calls games for the team’s official radio station, Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
McCoy recently joined Kevin Ray and Eddie Johnson on Bally Sports Arizona for the second quarter of Phoenix’s win over San Antonio at Footprint Center.
He used to call TV games for the Suns and called games that were simulcast on TV and radio.
“Eddie, K-Ray, thanks so much for letting me slide in and have a little fun with you here in the second quarter,” McCoy said on the telecast at the end of the second quarter.
McCoy had missed 13 home games over the last four months this season due to health issues, but he has committed to finishing out the season as he just does the home games.
The Suns will be a fourth seed going into the NBA playoffs that begin April 15. The Suns will have home court advantage for the first round as they look to win their first NBA title in franchise history.
McCoy has called all three Suns' finals runs, in 1976, 1993 and 2021.
McCoy has had a legendary career filled with signature calls like “SHAZAM!” for a 3-point shot. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame awarded him with the Curt Gowdy Media Award during enshrinement weekend in September 2007.
Ten years later, McCoy was inducted into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor in 2017.
Last year, McCoy became the 18th member of the Gold Circle by the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his significant and major contributions to the broadcasting industry.
Turning 90 years old April 26, McCoy is from Williams, Iowa. Harry Caray, Bert Wilson and Jack Brickhouse were among McCoy’s career influences.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Legendary Al McCoy being honored for 51 seasons as 'Voice of The Suns'
