Monday, October 19, 2020

It was a legendary run

 I think Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse summed it up best. 





Also, I don't believe I have to clarify who "Sid" is. Like Bud or Harmon or Kirby, just the first name "Sid" sufficed whenever the conversation steered to the Minnesota sports scene. 


I often joked about Sid Hartman's longevity and how he reminded me of the character Paul Edgecomb in the movie The Green Mile, in that he was tabbed to outlive everybody he ever knew. However, in this era of COVID-19, a lot of things have happened prematurely.


From Sid's son Chad Hartman: 


“I want to make it clear — he didn’t die from COVID — but COVID took away the enjoyment from his life by making him stay home,” his son said later. “It took away the chance to see the people he liked. It took away his zest, not being able to go four, five different places every day and to laugh, to get on people and have them get on him.”


I also surmised over the years that if Sid ever quit working he wouldn't last more than a year. From everything I've gathered in the decades since I first became aware of this giant figure is that he desperately needed validation despite being on a first name basis with literal Hall of Famers in multiple sports. As such, a simple declaration of "Rest in peace, Sid" would, per Reusse, be considered the ultimate insult. 


I was in the middle of doing my weekly radio program on Sunday afternoon when news of Sid's passing became public. My phone was blowing up with messages from family and friends who were well aware of my fascination with Sid, including the first time I ever met him in person. A number of years ago I participated in the 4th annual Sid Hartman Sound Alike Contest. I was chosen as one of eight contestants to perform a two-minute bit imitating Sid in front of the crowd gathered at the WCCO broadcast center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. From there, the panel of judges would select the three best impersonations to compete for the ultimate prize in the finals: A personal dinner with Sid at Murray's (the running joke was "What do the losers get? Two dinners with Sid?").


I was the first of eight contestants that day. Emcee and WCCO radio host John Williams asked if I listen to Sid's sports updates regularly on 'CCO. I quipped, "Eh. As little as possible." Upon the audience erupting in laughter, Sid turned to meteorologist Mike Lynch (who was serving as one of the judges) and asked what I had said. When Lynch conveyed that information to him, Sid turned to me and said "That took care of you, you aren't gonna win." Alas, he was correct.







Before the contest even started, all eight participants were gathered inside the 'CCO booth to receive some general instructions from the promotions guy. Shortly thereafter, Charlie Boone (he of the legendary Boone & Erickson 'CCO morning show) came to introduce himself to us. As he chatted with we contestants, Mr. Boone indicated that this particular contest would likely be the final one (it was) and that we should enjoy Sid as much as possible. Charlie's rationale was that, given Sid's advanced age, he probably would not be up to venturing out to the MN State Fair as often, if at all.


That was in 1995. Twenty Five years ago. Sid literally worked until he died, as his final column was published in Sunday's Star Tribune. 


One friend in particular who reached out to me Sunday was Ben Kruse of the Up And At' Em Show podcast. Ben invited myself and fellow Sid admirer Kelly Gunderson on Monday morning's podcast to share our remembrances (check it out here. Our segment begins about 42 minutes in). 


The phrase "There will never be another like him" gets overused. But in the case of Sid Hartman, it couldn't be more spot on. 



 

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