Dolphins radio announcer JIM MANDICH, who was "revered" by Dolphins fans "as both a player and broadcaster for more than four decades, died Tuesday evening after a long bout with bile-duct cancer" at the age of 62, according to Mike Berardino of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Mandich, who was part of the team's radio crew from '92-04 and '07-10, "spent more than a quarter century on South Florida radio, eventually developing into one of the most successful and popular talk-show hosts on the area scene" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/27). In Miami, Darlington & Jackson note Mandich last season broadcast "every single game, home and away, despite his fight with cancer." He "became one of the most popular sportscasters in South Florida history as a talk show host and as the Dolphins radio analyst." He had a restaurant in Islamorada, Fla., owned Miami-based construction company Lotspeich and "on Tuesdays during football season, Mandich hosted Miami Touchdown Club luncheons, which raised money for former Dolphins players in need." Mandich "had been receiving chemotherapy and radiation, with the hope that the tumor would shrink enough for it to be removed." He was initially diagnosed with cancer last February (MIAMI HERALD, 4/27).
GREAT REPRESENTATIVE FOR TEAM: In West Palm Beach, Hal Habib writes, "When it comes to unabashed ambassadors of the Miami Dolphins, there was never anyone better than Jim Mandich." Habib: "A homer, a cheerleader -- Mandich was all that, but his stature as the most popular broadcaster in team history never would have been if not for blunt candor when the action turned sour" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/27). NATIONAL FOOTBALL POST's Aaron Wilson writes Mandich's "famous 'All Right, Miami!' exclamation after exciting Dolphin plays became his hallmark catch phrase." Wilson: "His passion for the team was evident in every broadcast he did, and his unique on-air presence and personality captivated Dolphin fans everywhere" (NATIONALFOOTBALLPOST.com, 4/27).
