This is a moderated phorum for the CIVILIZED discussion of the Miami Dolphins. In this phorum, there are rules and moderators to make sure you abide by the rules. The moderators for this phorum are JC and Colonel.
I just called my father who was a fan in the glory days and he is pretty bummed about this news. I am 30, so I am too young to have seen him play. Loved to hear him call games, but my dad said he loved watching him play.
In the same token, my one aunt who is half sister to my mom, pretty close just differant father, anyways he died Sunday of cancer at the age of 72 I think. So at least two people died of Cancer this week.
Mandich was an institution here in S Florida. By all accounts, he was the consumate professional, and the voice of the Dolphins. You always got the truth on Jim's radio show, and he was a fan, just like us. He got to live the dream, playing for, and broadcasting Miami Dolphins Football.
RIP, Mad Dog!
I was lucky that I recorded the radio broadcast of the debut of the wildcat vs the Pats. It shows how astute Mandich was , as he was on top of the new formation before the first play of the wildcat was even run. He was just that good as a radio color man. Mandich made listening to even the losses palatable. I know I will really miss him this September
I loved his story of going to Buffalo for anouncing a game and paying the guy at the counter of the Hotel $100 to get a room that *DID NOT* have a view of the city.
So many memories of the Mad Dog. From seeing him make come clutch catches--several of which kept the undefeated season alive, to hearing his stories on his radio show, to having a couple stories about him of my own (boring as they may be). This is a sad, sad occasion. End of an era.
Jim Mandich was the 29th overall pick in the 1970 draft, which was (in those days) the top of the 2nd round. He was Miami's first pick and signed with the Dolphins for a rookie salary of $13,000 with no signing bonus.
Dave Hyde told me yesterday that Mandich didn't feel like he could afford air conditioning for his car (at $400) that year.
Accounting for inflation, $13k translates to about $72k in 2010.
Last year, Odrick was the 28th overall pick in the draft and signed for around $11 million, with $7 million or so guaranteed.
To me, Mandich was, in many ways, the ultimate Dolphins' player and supporter. While Griese, Czonk, Kiick and Warfield got the glory, unselfish players like Mandich were just as important to the success of the Dolphins in the 70s.
He was, for me, the last active connection to the glory days of the 70s.
Curt "DOLFAN in St. Petersburg" Fennell
Godfather, Phins.com
curt Wrote:
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>
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> Dave Hyde told me yesterday that Mandich didn't
> feel like he could afford air conditioning for his
> car (at $400) that year.
>
Well that explains the origin of one of Mandich's trademark phrases "ridin' around with my windows down"!!
RIP Jim, no Phins broadcast or radio show will ever be the same, not by a long shot.