The Pittsburgh Steelers announced yesterday that Myron Cope, the club’s radio voice for the past 34 years, was retiring prior to the 2005 NFL season.

Writes Doug Mosurock,

This is truly a sad day for Pittsburgh. Cope was hands down the most unique color commentator in any sport, any season, in the 20th century. His unfocused vitriol, manner of speech, colloquialisms, and jousts with his fellow men in the booth (if you can indeed call Tunch Ilkin a man) was the high point of many a Steelers game. He’s the mascot the team never had, the most enthusiastic fan and the one with the loudest voice.

Here’s a sounds page. Go nuts.