BLACK-N-GOLD N'AT

Great balls of fire! In honor of last night's Penguins victory, today we look at the distinguished career of legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange. Mike was born in Sacramento, CA on March 3, 1948. He got his start behind the mike announcing Western Hockey League games. He joined Pens radio broadcasts for one season in 1974. Mike re-joined the Pens booth and was the play-by-play man on both television and radio for the Pens from 1975-2006. Mike had a cameo in the Jean-Claude Van Damme film, Sudden Death, in 1995. In 2001, Mike was the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award, for his outstanding work in NHL broadcasting. Fox Sports Pittsburgh dumped Mike from Pens television in June, 2006. Wisely, he was signed to do Pens radio broadcasts in August of 2006. Mike has developed quite the repertoire of catchphrases through the years. They are often referred to as "Lang-isms" by the Penguins faithful. Many a fan will turn down the sound on their television to hear Mike belt out "Slap me silly, Sidney" (when Pens C Sidney Crosby lights the lamp) or "He beat him like a rented mule" (when the Penguins fake out a perplexed opponent for a score) or "Elvis has just left the building" (signifying a Pens victory). Mrs. Black-N-Gold even had the distinction of meeting Mike once. As many fans know, Mike is a blues music enthusiast. Many moons ago, I stumbled into Gene's, a famous blues bar on Route 51 in Pittsburgh. Who should I see at the other end of the bar, but none other than Mike Lange. I said to the bartender "Buy Mike a drink and get his dog one, too". He loves the blues and he loves the Pens. Scratch my back with a hacksaw. Let's Go Pens!!!