I just want to take a little time to talk about one member of the Toronto Raptors organization who many Raptors fans would agree has been fun to watch and listen to.

I just learned that the Raptors television play-by-play commentator, Chuck Swirsky, has accepted a new job with the Chicago Bulls (as their radio commentator I do believe), thus ending a 10 year employment with the Raptors.  This is a return for Chuck to the city that he started his broadcast career in.  This also helps his family life as well.

Listening to Chuck call a game, and just talk about it in general, it was totally obvious his absolute love of basketball.  He had a great intelligence of the game subtleties, and its nuances, and it was a pleasure listening to him.  Whenever he was teamed up with colour commentators Leo Rautins (Coach of the Canadian basketball team) or Jack Armstrong, he always had some great insight into the game that really gave them the chance to shine with their knowledge.

What we'll mostly remember Chuck Swirsky for are his uniquely quirky catchphrases which made their way onto t-shirts and fans poster-boards, and into television commercials.  Sayings such as:

-  "You can ring it UP..." then give a shout out to a Raptor fan watching after the first 3-pointer scored

-  "Onions, baby, onions!!!" after the Raptors would go on a run

-  "Get out the umbrellas!  It's raining trays!"  after scoring a few 3-pointers

-  yelling "Oh my BOSH!" after a highlight real play by the one and only Chris Bosh

And probably his most well known:

-  "Get out the salami and cheese, mama!  This ballgame is OVER!" when the Raptors win the game

Chuck will be a tough act to follow, and I wish his successor the best of luck.  Chicago, you got a great person working in the Bulls organization now, and I think you'll grow to like him as much as he was liked in Toronto.

I'll miss Chuck here, but wish him all the best in Chicago.