Even though he shared a booth on a Sox broadcast, not many people would associate the recently deceased, Bill Walton as a baseball guy.

Every story I’ve read since he passed away has done a great job of listing his accomplishments, but nobody has focused on what he brought to a broadcast.

Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. Quite simply, he had his biggest moment on the biggest stage. I admit to not rooting for either of his teams, the champion TrailBlazers and the Celtics. but credit him for being a winner.

While everyone is singing his praises as a broadcaster, I’d say his greatest asset was his unique voice and love for the game. He always stressed the positive. However, his long-form essayist style wasn’t always suited for the quick pace of a basketball game.

I know some baseball fans have a harder time with today’s broadcasters, classifying them as cookie-cutter, personality free John Does. Yes, I’m using a term oft associated with corpses. You draw the conclusion.

Bill Walton was a unique voice/character. To date, I haven’t heard of anyone trying to replicate his style and approach. Unlike some of the more unique voices in the game, Dick Vitale, to name one, there are imitators who lack the originality of the sources.

People confuse yelling and hyperbole with excitement, enthusiasm and cogent thought. There are plenty of current guys and gals calling NBA, NCAA and WNBA games that confuse the two. Because Walton wouldn’t worry about such things, instead he’d probably just suggest everybody relax.

R.I.P Mr. Walton.