R.I.P. Myron

If you’re not from Pittsburgh or have never lived there, you probably couldn’t understand this.

I got so many emails forwarded to me about moments of silence for Myron and the famous 21-yoi salute. Here’s a good example from the legendary Craig Nayhouse…

Steeler fans all over the world should pause today to remember the joy and pleasure that Myron Cope brought to us. Myron was a special man for a special time and a special team in a special place. Even though it’s February, and your Steeler stuff may be in mothballs as we prepare for yet another losing Pirate season, pull out your Terrible Towel today and give it a whirl in honor and memory of its creator. Sadly, Myron has passed away.

We give him a twenty-one “Yoi!” salute………

yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi

It’s hard to imagine another city having such an intimate relationship with a broadcaster. hen I learned that his sister was married to my dad’s cousin I was thrilled. She was at my brother David’s bar mitzvah and I stood and stared at her — Myron’s sister! At our family event! We were almost related to the great little man and no one had ever told me. It was almost too good to be true. Like my brother, Myron began his career as the sports editor fo the Allderdice Foreword, a fact David still likes to point out.

Actually, what I remember Myron for more than his Steelers broadcasts were his nightly radio call-in shows. I think my first on-air experience came when my brother called in and handed me the phone with instructions to ask, “Do you think Richie Hebner is worth six figures to the Bucs?” I don’t know when that was or how old I was but the fact that six figures were a question for the Bucs starting third basemen tells me I couldn’t have been more than 8 or 9.

In later years, I called in to Myron often, sometimes with my brother egging me on, sometimes with Gregg and Evan Michaelson doing so and sometimes on my own.

Not much more to say… except
yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi yoi.