well said, John. Bumped into Schonz at a recent blazer game Not that we're close but we do crossroads in the sports world now and then - and he remembered my name! Made my day!
Used to talk with Schonz at Robbi's, a sports bar on Terwilliger (now Tryon Creek). He had one rule: no Blazer topics. He had his red wine and was so knowledgeable about all sports. He listened well and, of course, talked even better. It was a joy.
We moved from Eugene to Portland in 1972. Had just got Steve Prefontaine's autograph when he visited my school. Been a loyal Zers fan ever since and though my grandfathers and my own pop are gone, I feel like Schonz is a member of the family. That's what he means to the Franchise and it's fan base.
As a kid we would go to the beach and listen to the games on the trip. Doing the dishes we listened to the games. I still hear his voice when the Blazer won the championship, I was ten at the time but the memory is deep. Thanks Shonz!!!
The Blazers should be having a huge retirement party open to the public for the Shonz! He will always be a huge part of the Blazers cornerstone. Rip City Shonz!!!
I remember as a kid growing up in the mid-70’s listening to the Schonz on the radio. Back then, only 20 road games aired on KPTV, and no home games.
The Schonz could just bring a game to life. I remember closing my eyes and visualizing the game.
I still remember some of those great catch phrases like, “Good shot, wouldn’t stay.” “In and out of the hopper.” “You’ve got to make you’re free throws.” And of course, “Rip City, baby!!!”
Different era, different times…I really miss it!!!
As a kid growing up in Gresham during mid ‘70’s most Blazers Games weren’t televised. My link to the Blazers was Schonz & I have great memories of our family sitting around radio enjoying Blazers Games through Shonz’s vibrant play by play calling & story telling. In 1991, I moved from Portland to Yakima, WA for a sales job. Moving to Yakima was like moving to Siberia & I was alone & a little lonely. I was bummed I didn’t have access to Blazers Games on TV or radio. By blind luck, one night I drove a few blocks from my Yakima apartment to a Mini Mart & found I could get Blazers Games on radio if I parked in the fourth spot to right of door to store. Wow, there was static but I could hear the Schonz! I spent a full year going to this spot & listening to Blazers Games. That brought me so much unexpected joy & I was no longer lonely. The Schonz is the Blazers & will forever be grateful!!
Great article about a great man! Crazy to think about how many memories he is a part of!!
Thank you for the article John.
My dad was an engineer for Komo and for Katu and he worked with Bill.
well said, John. Bumped into Schonz at a recent blazer game Not that we're close but we do crossroads in the sports world now and then - and he remembered my name! Made my day!
Mahalo John!!! Dad loves you too!!! Aloha from Molokai!!
Used to talk with Schonz at Robbi's, a sports bar on Terwilliger (now Tryon Creek). He had one rule: no Blazer topics. He had his red wine and was so knowledgeable about all sports. He listened well and, of course, talked even better. It was a joy.
Some of my fondest childhood memories were watching the blazers with Shonz play by play!
We moved from Eugene to Portland in 1972. Had just got Steve Prefontaine's autograph when he visited my school. Been a loyal Zers fan ever since and though my grandfathers and my own pop are gone, I feel like Schonz is a member of the family. That's what he means to the Franchise and it's fan base.
As a kid we would go to the beach and listen to the games on the trip. Doing the dishes we listened to the games. I still hear his voice when the Blazer won the championship, I was ten at the time but the memory is deep. Thanks Shonz!!!
A wonderful tribute to one of Portland's finest citizens, and a delightful photo of Bill and Harry.
The Blazers should be having a huge retirement party open to the public for the Shonz! He will always be a huge part of the Blazers cornerstone. Rip City Shonz!!!
I remember as a kid growing up in the mid-70’s listening to the Schonz on the radio. Back then, only 20 road games aired on KPTV, and no home games.
The Schonz could just bring a game to life. I remember closing my eyes and visualizing the game.
I still remember some of those great catch phrases like, “Good shot, wouldn’t stay.” “In and out of the hopper.” “You’ve got to make you’re free throws.” And of course, “Rip City, baby!!!”
Different era, different times…I really miss it!!!
As a kid growing up in Gresham during mid ‘70’s most Blazers Games weren’t televised. My link to the Blazers was Schonz & I have great memories of our family sitting around radio enjoying Blazers Games through Shonz’s vibrant play by play calling & story telling. In 1991, I moved from Portland to Yakima, WA for a sales job. Moving to Yakima was like moving to Siberia & I was alone & a little lonely. I was bummed I didn’t have access to Blazers Games on TV or radio. By blind luck, one night I drove a few blocks from my Yakima apartment to a Mini Mart & found I could get Blazers Games on radio if I parked in the fourth spot to right of door to store. Wow, there was static but I could hear the Schonz! I spent a full year going to this spot & listening to Blazers Games. That brought me so much unexpected joy & I was no longer lonely. The Schonz is the Blazers & will forever be grateful!!