"Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport: The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, the human drama of athletic competition. This is ABC's Wide World of Sports!"
For our overseas brothers James Kenneth McManus (September 24, 1921 – June 7, 2008), better known by his professional name of Jim McKay, was an American television sports journalist. He is best known for hosting ABC's Wide World of Sports (1961–1998)—his "...thrill of victory, agony of defeat" introduction for that program has passed into American pop culture—and television coverage of twelve Olympic Games. McKay was known for his intelligent, amiable on-air personality.
McKay has also covered a wide variety of special events, including horse-races such as the Kentucky Derby, golf events such as the British Open, and the Indianapolis 500.
I fondly remember watching ABC's Wide World of Sports 4:30 - 6:00 PM
every Saturday afternoon. I was angered when NBC won the airing rights for the Olympics, because it meant Jim McKay wouldn't be part of the broadcast.
On the afternoon of the running of the Belmont Stakes, I bid a fond adieu to Mr. McKay.
