Irwin was an announcer for all seasons

MILWAUKEE – The news of Jim Irwin's death touched many in the Wisconsin sports community, which is only fitting because of the deep connection he had with many of the state's teams.

Best known as voice of the Green Bay Packers for 30 years, Irwin was also the longtime radio voice of the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent 16 years courtside with the team, calling some of the greatest games in franchise history.

During that stretch – from 1979-93 – the Bucks made 12 playoff appearances and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals three times.

"It really was a golden era, and Jim really brought everyone courtside every night," said Bucks vice president John Steinmiller.

Longtime Bucks television analyst Jon McGlocklin often worked alongside Irwin on radio broadcasts, and Monday night, before the Bucks hosted Atlanta, McGlocklin recalled how much he enjoyed Irwin.

The two would often dine together and while Irwin noted McGlockin's affinity for pepper, McGlocklin joked he often had to switch tables due to Irwin's penchant for ordering liver and onions. He also laughed at Irwin's tendency to irritate certain NBA officials.

"Jim and I were working a game together once and he said something about Earl Strom, who was a very aggressive referee," McGlocklin said. "Earl heard his comment and at the next break, he came over to Jim and said 'What did you say about me?' and Jim turned to me and said, 'Jon said it!' ”

The team honored its longtime voice with a moment of silence before the game, a day after Irwin passed away at age 77 following a long battle with cancer.

"Jim was a true Milwaukeean," Steinmiller said. "He really enjoyed Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. People don't realize how much a part of our family he was. He really knew our players and coaches well, and he enjoyed it."

Along with the Bucks and Packers, Irwin also handled broadcasts of University of Wisconsin football games from 1969-90 and basketball for five years in addition to his duties as morning anchor at WTMJ, where he shared a studio with the legendary Gordon Hinkley.

That's not all, though.

Few remember, but Irwin also called some UW-Milwaukee basketball games for two seasons -- working alongside with none other than Uecker -- and handled Olympic broadcasts for both ABC and CBS Sports.

Still, though, Irwin will be best remembered for his time with the Packers. Working at first alongside Gary Bender, then Lionel Aldridge and ultimately Max McGee, Irwin was as much a part of the team as the players he described each week.

Irwin called 612 consecutive games, making him part of the “Packers family,” according to team president Mark Murphy.

"The Packers organization was saddened today to hear of the passing of Jim Irwin," Murphy said in a statement released by the team. "Jim was great friend to the Packers family over the years, particularly for the 24 seasons he was the play-by-play voice of the Packers Radio Network. During Jim's Hall of Fame career, Packers fans all over the state were riveted by his calls."

It was Irwin's voice that told most of Wisconsin in January 1997 that the Packers were again, and at long last, world champions:

"The Vince Lombardi Trophy is coming home where it started!," Irwin said. "Four, three, two, one …. World Champion, Green … Bay … Packers."

The coach of that team, Mike Holmgren, expressed his condolences to the Irwin family Tuesday during a conference call discussing Holmgren's pending induction to the Packers Hall of Fame.

It was a simple, subtle but yet slightly emotional call that perfectly summed up the feelings of a fan base that had waited more than 30 years for another winner.

"Jim was a special guy, and when I came in there, Jim had already established himself and he was an all-star long before I got there," Holmgren said. "What I always appreciated about him with me is that he made me feel like an all-star. He had that ability. We had a very close relationship, and I think he did a marvelous job — it goes without saying his talent as an announcer and all those things. But we became relatively close when I was there, and I always appreciated him and what he stood for and how he protected and presented the Packers to everyone else.”

Irwin was born in Linn Creek, Mo., and after studying speech at the University of Missouri worked his way to Green Bay, where he became sports director at WLUK-TV in 1964. He joined WTMJ in 1969 and after retiring following the 1998 NFL season moved to California with his wife, Gloria.

Irwin was diagnosed with cancer in 2010.