Better Know A Broadcaster: Mark Boyle

by spstevenson on Aug 6, 2009 5:55 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

For at least 90 percent of my lifetime, Mark Boyle has been the voice of the Indiana Pacers. The radio play-by-play man joined the Pacers right before their rise to glory in the 90's and he's been with the team ever since.

But before landing a spot with the blue and gold, Boyle struggled through the radio ranks as he called everything from rodeos to hockey. Boyle talked about his rise to the top and much more during an in-depth and very enjoyable interview with Mark Montieth during his "One on One" radio show (1070 The Fan) on Sunday.

You're going to have to clear out some space from your busy-bee schedule in order to listen to it as it is lengthy. But if you've shared the Pacers experience by listening to Mark and Slick over the years, then you will enjoy this. Boyle, who never attended college, is open about his struggles in his early radio career all the way to working with the current Pacers. He sprinkles in some funny and embarrassing anecdotes along the way.

Boyle also talks about: His favorite radio calls; why he didn't want to sound like his father; why he thought he would only spend two years with the Pacers organization; who his favorite players were (Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley surprisingly top the list); his relationship with Donnie Walsh; and he also mentions his difficulty working with Jermaine O'Neal, whom Boyle calls "too phony" in the interview.

When I was a young pre-teen back in the early 90's, I started listening to Mark and Slick because I thought that's how you were supposed to "watch" sports. I observed how my grandfather always turned down the TV audio on Cincinnati Reds ball games so he could listen to the radio while still viewing the game. As an impressionable kid, I figured I'd better do the same thing.

Mark certainly is the professional's pro at play-by-play. He stays true to the art until exactly the right moment when he delivers a line such as he famous "Ding dong, the witch is dead!" moment (in the interview, Boyle states he hates hearing that replay of Game 7 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals as it's the only time he's come up with a phrase ahead of time...yet it's one of his most endearing and famous lines).

My personal favorite was from the next series (1995 Conference Finals vs. Orlando) when Rik Smits hit the game-winner over Tree Rollins. We had the radio churning out Mark and Slick's voices with the TV sound down for that game and the repetive line of "He Hits!" still gets the adrenaline flowing today.

If you have any good Mark and Slick memories, your own favorite moment or any analysis about the interview, please tell us about it.

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Ah, Mark Boyle

Everyone has that radio voice that means the most to them, and though it’s a bit strange to think it as a Dodgers fan with one of the all-time greats, Mark Boyle is my radio voice.

I don’t remember the first time I heard Boyle, but I do know I would sneak him and Slick in from under the covers when I was ten or eleven in the early-mid 90’s. I turned it down low so that I wouldn’t get in trouble for being up so late, but it was always worth it. Boyle’s professionalism always shown brightly no matter how low the volume was.

The call I remember most vividly was actually the one you mentioned, and that may have been because I didn’t hear it live, but I remember the moment exactly. I was watching the game with my dad and Smits hits that shot and the house goes wild. My mom gets home only a moment later, and reports that the Pacers must have hit the shot, they were going crazy about it on the radio. I don’t remember when it was they played the Boyle call, be it on SportsCenter later, on the local news, or maybe it was an NBA video I got a year or two later, but it definitely pulls you into the moment, and I don’t even remember who called the game on TV or what they said about the shot.

But while I much prefer to watch my sports rather than listen despite how much I enjoy my teams’ personalities, Boyle is the one announcer I seek out. I still find myself a little excited when the Pacers are out West and I can’t watch the game due to having an early day, because I get to listen to it in bed and it’s like I never left my childhood, getting to hear Mark call the game and Slick call out “Boom baby!” I’ll miss them both dearly when they hang it up, but I do hope that’s not for a very long time to come.

by Nathan S. on Aug 6, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

Boyle clarification

THE voice wanted to clarify the mention of his difficulty working with J.O., in his words:

Tom…appreciate the comments, but wanted to clarify something. I never had any trouble with Jermaine O’Neal, though I did consider him a phony, as you suggest. That said, he was never anything less than professional in my dealings with him…he just wasn’t my kind of guy.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on Aug 7, 2009 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

Isn't 29 cents too much to spend on something as IDIOTIC as this?

I’m paraphrasing, but that was the punchline to my favorite Boyle moment — his interview of state Rep. Jerry Dembo when he and another legislator, in a rare display of bipartisanship, sent a letter to the NCAA asking it to investigate questionable calls in Indiana’s 1992 Final Four loss to Duke. I still have that interview on cassette, and it is priceless. Basically, Boyle was trying to get Dembo to say he thought the fix was in (which he was basically saying), except Dembo would never say it. Finally, Boyle’s frustration comes out when he asks Dembo if he used state legislator (which Boyle pronounces "leg-is-la-torrrre) paper, stamps and money to produce the letter, and Dembo says 29 cents was spent on a stamp. Thus the above punchline.

Boyle’s WNDE share was hilarious, because I haven’t heard any other host in Indianapolis getting away with referring to its beloved auto racing as “deathsport.” Plus, it was always funny to hear him beat up on Tim Bragg. “SOFT-ball? You’re playing SOFT-ball? By the way, did I tell you about the time I got a double off Jack Morris…”

I don’t live in Indianapolis anymore, so hearing Mark and Slick on the air, no matter how the team is, makes me feel great and reminds me of all the years I’ve spent listening and watching the team. Thanks, Mark!

by rkcookjr on Aug 7, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Ah, Good Times

I remember that interview well. The only thing I regret about it is that I was sorely tempted to address this guy as “Dumbo” rather than Dembo, but I felt the office – if not the individual – deserved at least a modicum of respect, despite the obvious inanity that he inflicted upon his consituency.

Whatever happened to that guy. Surely he wasn’t re-elected?

by mboyle1313 on Aug 7, 2009 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

Whoa! Is this Mark?

by airchina23 on Aug 9, 2009 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Reviving Gratuitous Tuesday on a saturday...

     I grew up in southeast rural Indiana near Cincinnati, was a Reds & Bengals fan back in the 70’s, and listened to them a lot on the radio. Later after going to college in Indy I spent a few years on the road playing music and listened to my fair share of play by play while driving from gig to gig. Simply put Mark Boyle is the best that I’ve listened to. Sports broadcasters in general are, too often, either blathering blowhards who rely too heavily on verbal “riffs” and catch phrases, or hyperbolic fans with microphones and a 4th grade command of the english language. Mark is a craftsman. Entertaining, articulate, honest and an extremely effective verbal illustrator. All this while also creating space for Slick to thrive as well.
     I actually tuned in to Kravitz & Eddie recently, for the better part of a week, only because Mark was part of the broadcast. I kept wishing someone would lock Eddie in a closet somewhere and allow Boyle and Grady to co-host the show.
     Mark & Slick make it easier to be a Pacer fan. They deserve a raise!

by es175 on Aug 8, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

Here, here!!

I like the way you think, es175. Please feel free to contact the Simons with this sentiment. I’m even willing to offer you a commission. Stop by Hubbard and Cravens, where I’ve been attempting to become a competent Barista this summer, and your first cup is on me.

Where will you find a more compelling offer than that?

by mboyle1313 on Aug 9, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Where to?

I’d be happy to send a polite note to the Simons lauding the services of Mr. Boyle. Slick as well. I can’t be alone in the feeling that the Pacer’s broadcast has been one of the consistently good aspects of the team over the years regardless of the quality of the product on the floor. What, in your estimation, is the likeliest way, without resorting to extreme measures, to actually get a message through to the Simons or Pacer’s management? I realize it probably won’t count for much but I’d be pleased do it anyway.
Which Hubbard and Cravens are you at and when? Schedule permitting I might pop in sometime. I’m not much of a coffee drinker but one of the fellows I work with is, and any excuse to get jacked up on caffeine is a good excuse for him.

by es175 on Aug 11, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, but...

I was just kidding. The Simons have been very good to me over the years, and while I appreciate the gesture, there’s no need to do any lobbying on my behalf.

As for the Hubbard and Cravens schedule, it’s all over the map. I have some other commitments this week, so my only day in Coffee Land is Wednesday. I’ll be at the store at 49th street and Pennsylvania from 7:30 until whenever (most likely around noon).

by mboyle1313 on Aug 11, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions