Mike Lange is an American sportscaster, best known as the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2001, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster.
A native of Sacramento, California, Lange joined the Penguins as a radio announcer in 1974 after spending time as a commentator for the San Diego Gulls and Phoenix Roadrunners of the Western Hockey League. He left the Penguins after just one season, because the team was in bankruptcy and he had no guarantee of a job. Lange called Washington Diplomats soccer games, then returned to the Penguins for the 1976–77 season, where he became the central figure of the team's broadcast presence.
From 1976 until 2006, Lange served as the lead play-by-play announcer for the Penguins' radio and television network, never missing a broadcast. On June 29, 2006, citing a desire to go in a new direction, Fox Sports Pittsburgh did not exercise the option year on Lange's contract. He was replaced by his longtime radio partner, Paul Steigerwald, in a move that was extremely unpopular with fans. On taking Lange's spot Steigerwald said, "I'm not going to try to replace him. I think he's irreplaceable."On August 4, 2006, Lange signed a contract to work on Penguins' radio broadcasts. He continues to work the radio broadcasts, alongside former Penguin Phil Bourque, with the 2016-2017 season representing his 40th consecutive year that Lange has announced Penguins hockey.
During the mid-1980s, Lange also broadcast several NHL games for ESPN. In 1986 and 1987, he also called Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games on cable television.
Lange and then-colleague Steigerwald appeared together as themselves in the 1995 movie Sudden Death, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. In the film, Lange used many of his trademark expressions in his play-by-play commentary.
Lange makes many personal appearances throughout the Pittsburgh community and is involved in charity work. He has two sons, Ian and Tanner.
“He beat him like a rented mule.”
Quoted in Bob Smizik, Tales from the Pittsburgh Penguins (2006). Lange credited a stockbroker with saying the phrase to him when Lange asked him how his day was.
Noted as a phrase closely associated with Lange, as quoted in Shelly Anderson, "Lange signs 1-year Penguins radio deal", http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07208/804828-61.stm Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2007-07-27)
“And ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has just left the building!”
"Eddie Spaghetti! The Story Behind Mike Lange-isms"
“(Insert Goaltender here) doesn't know whether to cry or wind his watch.”
As noted on Sports Center's Top 10 Mike Lange Signature calls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIHPd3vERUw (undated)
“And ladies and gentlemen, the kitchen is closed!”
Lange described the call: "I went into a place to try and get something to eat and the lady very distinctly said to me, 'The kitchen is closed!' I said, 'Wow. There's the end, that's it, you can't eat any more, you haven't got a prayer.' I said, 'That's finality, baby!'"
"Eddie Spaghetti! The Story Behind Mike Lange-isms"
“Michael, Michael, Motorcycle.”
Quoted in Keith Barnes, "Lange's inimitable style makes him a broadcast legend", Tribune-Review (2008-01-20)
“Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, get me the brandy!”
Quoted in Bob Smizik, "Cow-kicked: FSN fires Lange as Penguins' TV voice", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2006-06-30)
Stated upon the Penguins winning their second Stanley Cup in 1992
“Call Arnold Slick from Turtle Crick!”
"Mike Lange Still Going Strong in 33rd Season on Pittsburgh Penguins' Broadcasts", https://archive.is/20130628112835/www.associatedcontent.com/article/1621590/mike_lange_still_going_strong_in_33rd_pg3.html Associated Content. John S Chester Jr, (2009-04-03)
Turtle Creek, PA is a suburb of Pittsburgh. Lange pronounces "Creek" in Turtle Creek as "crick" consistent with Pittsburgh's dialect of American English, which is sometimes called Pittsburghese.
“She wants to sell my monkey!”
Quoted in Frank D, "Mike Langeisms," http://www.pensburgh.com/2008/2/11/161116/612 PensBurgh.com (2008-02-11)
“Make me a milkshake, Malkin!”
Sometimes said when Evgeni Malkin scores a goal.
"Lange credits Manor boy with ‘Make me a milkshake, Malkin’ goal call" http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourpenntrafford/yourpenntraffordmore/3293924-74/lange-dylan-malkin#axzz2TNViKo8a, Tribune-Review (2013-01-19)
“Let's go hunt moose on a Harley!”
As noted on Sports Center's Top 10 Mike Lange Signature calls aired on TSN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60p5EgLP30 (2009-03-11)
“Scratch my back with a hacksaw!”
Quoted in Bob Smizik, "Cow-kicked: FSN fires Lange as Penguins' TV voice", http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06181/702334-61.stm Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (2006-06-30)
According to Smizik in Tales from the Pittsburgh Penguins http://books.google.com/books?id=v6VbC6CRWTsC&pg=PA103&lpg=PA103&dq=%22He+beat+him+like+a+rented+mule.%22&source=web&ots=60xyCcZKrt&sig=M8tqlcsQykyW9zqmIIZQE4Zkjug&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA103,M1 (Sports Publishing, 2006, ISBN 10:1582611998), Lange credits a Pittsburgh mall security guard with giving him the phrase. After giving Lange directions to a location in the building, the guard gave him a piece of paper with the phrase written down on it.
“He's smilin' like a butcher's dog!”
"Eddie Spaghetti! The Story Behind Mike Lange-isms"
“It's a… HOCKEY NIGHT in Pittsburgh!”
Quoted in Keith Barnes, "Lange's inimitable style makes him a broadcast legend", http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/focus/s_547779.html Tribune-Review (2008-01-20)
Lange's opening broadcast line since the first game he called in the 1974-75 season.
“Buy Sam a drink and get his dog one, too!”
Quoted in Keith Barnes, "Lange's inimitable style makes him a broadcast legend", Tribune-Review (2008-01-20)
"Eddie Spaghetti! The Story Behind Mike Lange-isms"
“(Insert Goaltender here) just lost his liquor license.”
As noted on Sportscenter's Top 10 Mike Lange Calls (2nd Version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgl3jGPEOto
“Get in the fast lane, Grandma, the bingo game's ready to roll!”
Quoted in Michael Hasch and Karen Price, Ladies and gentlemen, Lange has left the building http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_460087.html, Trib Live Sports (2006-06-30)
Sometimes said when Sidney Crosby scores a goal.
As noted on Sports Center's Top 10 Mike Lange Signature calls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIHPd3vERUw (undated)
