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3 unusual facts about Ralph Lawler


Ralph Lawler

There were only two seasons when Lawler did not serve as the team's primary play-by-play broadcaster-1981-82 (Jerry Gross) and 1984-85 (Eddie Doucette)- before becoming the full-time voice once again in 1985-86.

The "Bingo" term derives from one-time Clipper player and Cleveland Cavalier great Bobby "Bingo" Smith, known during his playing career for his outstanding shooting and scoring.

Lawler's biggest broadcasting influences included Irv Kaze, a former sports executive (who had a stint as a San Diego Clippers general manager and hired Lawler in 1978) and long-time Los Angeles-area sports talk show host, before he died in 2003; and late legendary Los Angeles Lakers voice, Chick Hearn, who like Lawler, grew up in Illinois before moving on to Southern California.



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