Jim Paschke announces his retirement after 35 years as Bucks play-by-play announcer
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“Into the air … Yount, makes a great catch and Juan Nieves has thrown the first no-hitter in Milwaukee Brewer history!”
They are the words of Jim Paschke, who’s been part of the Milwaukee sports fabric for more close to four decades. On April 15, 1987, he was in his second week as play-by-play man for the Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks when he called the only no-hitter in Brewers history.
On Tuesday, Paschke, 70, announced that the 2020-21 season with the Bucks would be his last, concluding with the first round of the playoffs before all television broadcasts shifted to national platforms. After 35 years with play-by-play duties, he’s retiring from his gig as play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Wisconsin.
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“Living in the culture of basketball has been so enlightening to me,” Paschke said in a conversation with Giannis Antetokounmpo, tweeted by the Bucks official account. “Being around that diverse culture and learning about people and learning we’re all alike, we’re all the same, that’s been the greatest blessing of my career, and my life, actually.”
Originally from Minnesota, Paschke came to Milwaukee and worked for WITI-TV (Channel 6) in 1980, then became Bucks play-by-play broadcaster for the 1986-87 season, replacing Bill Berg.
He also latched on with the Brewers from 1987-91 and then again from 1995-96. Though the no-hitter represents one of his most famous calls, he’s better known for his long tenure with the Bucks, including decades of broadcasts alongside former Bucks stars Jon McGlocklin and, more recently, Marques Johnson.
In 2016, the Bucks elevated a banner into the Bradley Center rafters commemorating 30 seasons with Paschke and McGlocklin on the microphone.
The presentation featured video tributes from Oscar Robertson, Sidney Moncrief, Herb Kohl, Don Nelson, George Karl and more.
“You guys are our storytellers, and we couldn’t be more grateful for that,” Bucks president Peter Feigin said at the ceremony. “Congratulations on 30 years of broadcast excellence and we look forward to celebrating 30 more.”
Paschke has won four regional Emmy Awards and holds spots in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame. He earned a spot in the National Academy of Television Arts and Science Silver Circle, for those with 25 years or more to the local television industry. He also serves as honorary MACC Fund board member and, in 2018, Paschke was also presented the Todd Harris Spirit Award, presented to an NBA broadcaster or executive “who is the ultimate team player and inspires people to make every day brighter.”
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“He’s been here so long, he’s the O.G. of this organization,” Bucks wing Khris Middleton said in 2018. “He’s a great guy, very professional.”
Paschke’s career began in 1971, first as a spotter for CBS broadcasters during the NFC Championship Game.
After serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve and attending a two-year broadcasting program at Brown Institute in Minnesota, Paschke started his broadcasting career began in earnest in Iowa, with stops in Knoxville and Sioux City before moving to Peoria, Illinois. He was hired by the Madison NBC affiliate in 1977 and then moved to WITI in Milwaukee three years later.
Thirty-five seasons later, Plaschke is still fixture in Milwaukee sports. He’s also dabbled in play-by-play duties for Marquette University men’s basketball, Milwaukee Admirals hockey, state football, NCAA Division III baseball, auto races at the Milwaukee Mile and moderator of the “Talking Sports” program on WITI.
“After most every Bucks season when my son Mike was young, I would ask him if he wanted me to retire and be home more,” Paschke said in a release. “He always said no. Last summer, just before his wedding, he asked me to retire. I said yes. We agreed that I would get the Bucks through another season dealing with COVID-19. I wouldn’t expect someone new to have to do that.
“This decision is mine alone. It comes as I have had the privilege of broadcasting Bucks basketball for precisely half of my life.”
JR Radcliffe can be reached at jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jim Paschke announces his retirement after 35 years as Bucks play-by-play announcer