I have frequently felt the urge to steal and use Lou Gehrig’s famous line about being “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” One of the reasons for that feeling is my relationship with Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
For over two decades now, I have had the privilege of calling Clyde my broadcast partner. More importantly, I have the honor of calling Clyde my friend.
Even to this day, that is hard for me to believe. As a kid growing up in Yonkers, Clyde was my basketball hero. The only poster I ever hung in my house was that of No. 10.
Now, I get to spend my nights sitting next to him and talk about Knicks basketball, among other things. I was so nervous when I first learned I would be broadcasting Knicks radio with Clyde. But from the very first broadcast, this Hall of Famer, this Knicks legend, warmly welcomed me and treated me with respect. Game after game, the viewers get to hear his knowledge and passion for basketball, plus his wonderful sense of humor.
George Kalinsky for Madison Square Garden
But it’s what he does off the air that I admire most. I have never seen a star player embrace and engage his fans with such affection as Clyde. The loyalty and the bond between Clyde and his fans is a sight to behold.
Clyde may have been born in Georgia, but he has become and will always be the quintessential New Yorker.
Happy 70th birthday my friend, and thanks for helping me feel like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
