Ode to Stan

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Hazem Alsahlani. Follow him on Twitter @Hazzyness

When I think of sports during my lifetime, there has been one constant throughout: Stan Savran.

As a kid, I spent countless evenings watching Sportsbeat, tuning into a Pens game, and then watching Hockey Hotline. Stan was the person that got you ready for the game, talked in between periods, then ended the night by analyzing the game. But the best part about Stan is that he was talking TO you, not at you. He was having a conversation with you, like you were sitting at a restaurant, rather than acting like he was better than you simply because he was on television. In fact, sometimes I looked forward to Hockey Hotline more than the game, because I wanted to hear what he had to say, and what he felt the team needed to do to win. He would always say “the Penguins need to figure out how to win games 3-2, not 7-6. In the playoffs, you win games 3-2, not 7-6!!”

He was right.

When Mario Lemieux shocked the hockey world and announced his comeback in December 2000, the first person everyone in Pittsburgh turned to for information and analysis was Stan Savran. I was a senior in high school. Not only did he break the news that Mario was returning, he was there each night to prepare us for the epic moments ahead. Our eyes were glued to Sportsbeat to capture the days leading up to December 27, 2000: Mario’s comeback game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Once again, it was Stan leading the pre-game, intermissions, and post-game. Unfortunately, I never had the courage to call into Stan’s show while I was in high school.

Finally, during my sophomore year of college in 2003, I mustered up enough courage to call Stan on his radio show. I still remember the exact questions I had for Stan.

A nervous me called in…hey Stan love the show….ummm I wanted to ask you if you think Johan Hedberg is someone the Penguins might consider trading at the deadline? What about Marty Straka? Could he be a trade target?

Stan answered my questions with class and courtesy, which made it easier for me to call in or write his show in the future. His impact on my sports fandom growing up was immense. For me to remember a question I called him about 20 years ago shows how engaged he was with people like me across Western Pennsylvania.

What is perhaps even more interesting is that Stan did more than hockey. He hosted the Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin press conferences, the Pirates pre and post-game shows, and hosted a daily radio show. Throughout that time, I cannot recall a time where Stan was rude, belligerent, or insulting to his listeners. His work ethic was unmatched and his ability to connect with listeners was remarkable.

When Stan passed away, I felt like part of my upbringing was gone. There will be no more evenings watching Sportsbeat or Hockey Hotline. No more Stan and Guy together, no more afternoon radio shows that focus on substance rather than silliness. Despite losing a Pittsburgh sports legend, I choose to remember the good moments: Stan and Guy’s summer porch tour, Sports Beat mock NFL draft, Hockey Hotline, and Sportsbeat on KBL from 6:30pm – 7:30pm every weeknight. Those were the days!!

On behalf of thousands of people just like me, who are probably now in their 30s and 40s, I want to say thank you Stan. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Thank you for being a staple of my sports watching for nearly 35 years. I loved every show! May God rest your soul. Gone but not forgotten.