Penguins' Hall of Famer Mike Lange to Appear in Curve, Pa.
CURVE, Pa. - "Michael, Michael, Motorcycle!"
Mike Lange, the Hall of Fame play-by-play broadcaster of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will make a guest appearance at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona on Monday, August 24 when the Altoona Curve face the Reading Fightin Phils, the baseball club announced today.
Recently honored by the City of Pittsburgh with "Mike Lange Day" for his 40 seasons behind the microphone for the National Hockey League club, Lange will participate in a VIP Meet & Greet, throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and sign autographs during the Curve-Reading game. The Curve will also involve him in a fun, interactive game between innings. Lange's appearance continues the Curve's "Black & Gold" Series of Penguins' and Steelers' personalities visiting with fans in the Central Pennsylvania region and will be sponsored in part by WTAJ Your News Leader.
"It will be an honor to have Mr. Lange in the building," said Curve General Manager Rob Egan. "You think about doing anything for the same organization for 40 years - that's pretty special - especially these days. He's entertained Penguins' and NHL fans with his "Lange-isms" on goal calls through four decades and three Stanley Cup championships. I can't wait to meet him and I'm sure our fans feel the same way."
Lange began his Penguins' career in 1974. After a one-year hiatus because of the team's uncertain future due to a bankruptcy filing, he returned in 1976 and has remained ever since. In addition to his radio and television work for the Penguins, he's called NHL games on ESPN and Pittsburgh Pirates' games in 1987-88 on the cable outlet, KBL (the forerunner to Fox Sports Pittsburgh and ROOT Sports). In 2001, Lange was honored with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster. The award's recipients are inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame in Toronto.
During his career, Lange has developed a unique style which includes entertaining calls, particularly after the Penguins score a goal. "Lange-isms", as they've become known, include phrases such as:
- "Scratch my back with a hacksaw!"
- "Get in the fast lane, Grandma. The bingo game's ready to roll!"
- "Elvis has just left the building!"
Over the years, his colorful goal calls have found their way into the "Top 10" segment of ESPN's SportsCenter. They also have a Wiki-Quote page all to themselves: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mike_Lange
For more information on the VIP Meet & Greet package for Lange's appearance - which includes a 45-minute autograph session and two-hour buffet in the US Foods Picnic Pavilion - or other ticket options, call 877-99-CURVE, log on to AltoonaCurve.com, or visit the ticket office in person at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
The Curve continue their homestand tonight with the first of a four-game series against the Akron RubberDucks at 6 p.m. It's a Thirsty ThursdayTM in Curve, Pa. tonight with $2 16oz. Miller Lite drafts and $2 22oz. sodas thanks to Rocky 104.9. It's also College Night at the ballpark where fans that show their college ID can get a $5 ticket to tonight's game.
-CURVE-