(My friend — for life and evermore — Dave “Buzz” Baker)

Dave “Buzz” Baker Deserves a Jersey Hanging From the Ceiling of Rupp Arena — And, It Should Be Done This Saturday

For the past 44 years, Dave Baker — whom some like to call “Buzz,” and I refer to as the “Hall of Fame, Because He Is One” — has worked as a sports reporter, sales representative, sports anchor, analyst, studio host, broadcasting pioneer and ambassador, and, most of all, all-around great guy at WKYT-TV in Lexington, KY.

For the past 37 years, Dave has also served as the pre-game host for the University of Kentucky basketball games, and has anchored much of the pre-game coverage for football and other sports, as well, as part of the Kentucky Sports Network.

Unfortunately, unforgivably, regrettably and totally unbelievably, this Saturday will be the Buzz-Man’s last broadcast in that role; in that seat that he has occupied so faithfully and so professionally; in that chair that sits just a little higher than any in Rupp Arena.

It sits that way, because that is how important that position is in this Commonwealth of Kentucky. It sits that high because in this place, basketball is King, and those that are part of that “network,” are held in the highest of esteem. They are bestowed and they are respected. Not because of who they are, necessarily. But because of what they do.

The privilege of celebrity status is given freely to all those that have played and worn the blue and white. As soon as they slip into that jersey, they become Super Heroes to a fan base that is unlike any other — whether their respective and collective fanatical behavior is either good, or, sometimes, over the top. They become icons to the young and old alike. They become names never to be forgotten.

I still remember Jim Andrews coming to my home and shooting baskets with me for an hour or so. Telling me stories of how he came to Kentucky, and how he knows that is a special place.

I still remember my first game in Memorial Coliseum and those wooden chairs or bleachers banking into the concrete of one of basketball’s greatest cathedrals.

I still remember covering Kentucky’s return to Lexington after defeating Duke and winning the National Championship on March 27, 1978 for the Lexington Herald-Leader. I can still see the fans jam into Bluegrass Field — so fast and so many that they nearly took down the glass barricade where passengers had to go to check into the airport. I can still feel the heat rise and the chants of “Go Big Blue,” and “C-A-T-S, Cats, Cats, Cats” echo from the edge of town to the hollers of East Kentucky.

That’s the way life is in this place, we call HOME. We love our HOME. We love our basketball. And we have always loved our Cats.

That same respect that we all shared for our “Team Members,” also extended to our coaches. That great Adolph Rupp and his predecessor Joe B. Hall. The coaching wizardry of Rick Pitino and his predecessor Tubby Smith. And, the cavalier showmanship of John Calipari. All of whom won National Championships at the birthplace of real basketball.

Every where they walked, the streets began to fill with fans. Some wanting their autograph. Others wanting to shake their hands. Others there just to catch a glimpse of greatness.

That’s the way life is in this place, we call HOME. We love our HOME. We love our basketball. And we have always loved our Cats.

And, without any question, the same status has always been given freely to our adopted friends, who we trusted to broadcast he games with honesty and accuracy and bring us all the stories of our players, our coaches, our TEAM home to us before, during and after each and every game. We invited them — one and all — into our homes, our cars, our offices, our lives. And, whether any or all of them knew it or not, they were our friends for life. Because they brought the team into focus for all of us — listening, watching, living on each and every word.

That’s the way it was with the great Claude Sullivan.

That’s the way it was with the great Cawood Ledford.

That’s the way it is now with our very own Tom Leach, who is also a dear friend.

And, that’s the way it has always been with Dave “Buzz” Baker.

Dave Baker is a man I first met, 44 or 45 years ago. He was just graduating from little Georgetown College — a team I got to cover, at the time, for the Lexington Herald-Leader. And, he was just embarking on a career as a broadcaster. Although I was just a few years older, I could already see the dream in his eye and the edge in his voice. Soon, he landed at WKYT-TV in Lexington. The best TV Station in the entire area. It was true then. It is still true today.

It was the host station for all of the University of Kentucky sports, and, most importantly, basketball. And, it wasn’t long before the broadcast team at Host Communications — which held the rights to the UK broadcasts at that time — looped this inspiring and aspiring young talent and voice into their  squad of on-air journalists and talents.

From the get-go, Dave “Buzz” Baker was a natural. Although he was born in Ohio, just outside of Cincinnati, he fit right in. He was one of us. Like his friend and former State Senator Damon Thayer always says: “I wasn’t born in Kentucky, but I got here as fast as I could.”

Dave Baker was and is the same way. Cut from that same cloth. Made of what my mom likes to call, “The Good Stuff.”

Dave Baker has always gotten the facts right.

He was not afraid to dive mic-first into any story, whether good or bad.

And, he could and would spool a thread as any great story-teller of our time. A radio and television version of our very own great songwriters like Keith Whitely, Tom T. Hall, and Ricky Skaggs. Buzz could capture the “story” of the player. And, Buzz could deliver the “story” in a way that made every listener feel like they knew the player just as well.

Buzz became best friends with the great Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch, who starred for the Cats and, later, became the No. 1 draft pick of the Cleveland Browns.

Buzz became fast friends with Richie Farmer, the folk hero who hailed from Clay County in East Kentucky.

Through the years, the relationships grew. So did the respect.

Buzz, you see, is a player-first broadcaster.

He is fair. He is friendly. He was there. He was always there.

Generations of UK fans have come and they will continue to come. That is the way of our life. And,  they never leave. They just keep coming.

Generations of Dave Baker fans have come, too. They are like neighbors, who just like sitting on the front porch; sipping some ice cold, sweet tea; and listening to the stories of players and teams.

For 37 years, Dave “Buzz” Baker has been the host of UK basketball pre-game shows. His co-hosts have included the likes of Oscar Combs, the genius behind “The Cats’ Paws,” magazine and now social media blog; Rex Chapman; Jack Givens and so many others.

He gave the fans insights to the players and coaches. He was able to discuss strategies and the “why’s” and “why-nots” of what was going to happen on the court and in the locker room. He gave fans the chance to call in and chat, too. And, he was always a welcome mat to the entire globe of Kentucky sports fanatics.

No question was not important, and all deserved respect and an answer.

No guest was forgotten, and all were treated with respect.

No opinion was dismissed as folly, and all were given due consideration.

Dave “Buzz” Baker was the consummate professional.

While he always faded into the grays, he was always “The Star of the Show.”

In fact, Dave Baker made “The Show.”

For the past 37 years.

On this Saturday, Dave Baker will host his last “Kentucky Basketball Pre-Game Show” on the official school network, which is now owned by some outfit called “JMI Sports.” A company that is based in San Diego, of all God’s places, and is run by a bunch of stiff shirts who undoubtedly have no respect for Kentucky history or tradition. Without warning, this JMI — who has caught a lot of grief of late for their handling of the Cats’ “Name Image & Likeness” component of Kentucky sports teams — informed Buzz that his services were no longer needed and that his contract would not be extended.

Supposedly, the person in charge of making this decision is JMI’s Brandon Baker (obviously, no relation to our Buzz). Strangely enough, or is it “ironically enough,” he is married to Rachel Baker, who holds the title of Associate Athletic Director at Kentucky and rumored to be one of the persons under consideration to succeed retiring Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart.

And, if you thought Kentucky had a history of being a little incestuous? How is that for a conflict of interest, right?

But back to the narrative…

Just a few days before Kentucky is scheduled to host Florida in its’ last regular season game of the year, JMI decides to unload a muck pit full of crap on its’ pregame host of the last 37 years.

Nice. Way to go JMI. Way to go Brandon Baker (obviously, no relation to our Buzz).

The man gives you 37 years of faithful, professional and award-winning programming and service?

You can’t give him 7-days notice?

I guess a gold watch is completely out of the question, right?

Give me a damn break, Brandon.

Although you may own the rights and have the right to do what you want when it comes to hiring broadcasters, this “Power Straight to the Head” move does NOT make it right.

Period.

This is disgraceful.

Even though JMI supposedly asked Buzz if he wanted a “going away retirement show,” this Saturday, the man said “Thanks, but no thanks.”

That’s because Dave “Buzz” Baker is a man of integrity. He has always has been and continues to be a reporter who gets the facts straight and correct.

He is not retiring. He will show up at WKYT-TV come Monday. Ready to work. He is not quitting. He is not walking out the door on his own volition.

He is being fired from the UK Pre-Game Show.

And, like Buzz is one to say: “A man who is getting fired doesn’t normally get a going-away party.”

This is a damn disgrace, Brandon. This is a damn disgrace, JMI.

The man gave you 37 years of his life…

And, this is the way you treat him…

No wonder we can’t get NIL right and sign a top-rated player.

Yet…

There is a way that Mitch Barnhart, on his way out, too,  and those in true power at the University of Kentucky can make this right — outside of giving Buzz his job back.

On Saturday, with the lights turned down low, the Rupp Arena announcer — with that majestic voice — came raise an octave and reach an enchendo celebrating the life and times of the still-working, still-employed, still-professional, still-vibrant Dave Baker with a video presentation to match none other.

And, then…

To the surprise of one Dave Baker, but not to any of us that have watched him throughout the years, raise a jersey with his name attached thereto to the rafters of Rupp Arena.

In a day and age when players rarely stay a full season and we all bemoan the lack of commitment, honesty, integrity and staying-power…

In a day and age when coaches break contracts all the time to take a dime more at a university down the road…

In a day and age when every team has more new than old…

Dave Baker is a man who I came to respect and appreciate for his work ethic; his pure professionalism; and his undying dedication to getting the story, but getting it right — getting it accurate. A man who I later hired with Tom Leach to help launch a Thoroughbred TV show, promoting the industry and the sport. A man who I played pick-up basketball games with, and went to lunch and dinner. A man who I came to love — because of his passion and compassion; for his commitment and his standards; for his willingness to always be there just when you needed a friend the most.

I know. I have been that friend, who desperately needed his help. Like the 37 years he gave to Kentucky, he was always there for me, too. Always. Never a question. Never a doubt.

We all need a reminder that a man who gives 37 years of his professional life deserves more than a pink slip.

He deserves a blue and white jersey.

He deserves a jersey to hang as a reminder to us all that we have not given up on the things that are important in life and that dedication and service still mean something to us; to us that actually pay the damn bills.

Dave Baker deserves to have his jersey hang in the rafters of Rupp Arena, right next to Cawood.

Dave Baker deserves no less.