Hearn to miss first game in 36 years

The last time Chick Hearn missed a broadcast was on Nov. 20, 1965, when bad weather kept him from making a flight. AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Chick Hearn, the Los Angeles Lakers' play-by-play announcer who hasn't missed a game in more than 36 years, had open heart surgery Wednesday to replace a blocked aortic valve.

"Chick is doing really well," Dr. Michael Soltero, who performed the 2 1/2-hour operation, told reporters at Northridge Hospital Medical Center Wednesday night.

Soltero expects the 85-year-old announcer to be hospitalized for about a week and, if all goes well, said Hearn should be able to return to work in about six weeks.

The cardiovascular specialist said Hearn is a "strong man" and in particularly good shape for his age. But he cautioned that there are always potential problems following such surgery.

Hearn, who has called 3,338 consecutive Lakers games, will miss his first one since 1965 when Los Angeles plays in Houston on Thursday night.

"Chick Hearn is an icon in the city of Los Angeles and an important part of the Lakers organization," team owner Jerry Buss said in a statement. "However, he's most important to us as a person, and our concern at this time is his health."

Chick not licked Click the image to launch the clip Dr. Michael Soltero expects Chick Hearn to make a full recovery. Start Video Plus Visit Video Plus for all the latest video and audio.

Soltero said about 80 percent of the blood flow through Hearn's aortic valve was blocked, which put extra stress on his heart and left him fatigued. He said Hearn had hoped to have Wednesday's surgery done later, perhaps in about a week. When he awoke feeling weak on Wednesday, however, it was decided that now was the best time.

Hearn's aortic valve was replaced with one made of cow tissue, which Soltero said has a very good record of success.

The last time Hearn missed a broadcast was on Nov. 20, 1965, when bad weather kept him from making a flight. He has been the Lakers' only play-by-play announcer since the team moved to Los Angeles from Minneapolis at the beginning of the 1960-61 season.

A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame, Hearn received a standing ovation on his birthday last month during a Lakers-Milwaukee Bucks game.

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