Legendary Pistons Radio Man George Blaha To Miss Rest Of Season

Longtime Pistons play-by-play man George Blaha will miss the rest of the season to undergo heart bypass surgery on Tuesday, the team announced.

“I’m grateful that they caught my issue early and they expect a full recovery,” Blaha said in a released statement.

Blaha, 76, announced his first Pistons game in 1976. He has missed just three games since.

The Pistons just announced that George Blaha will miss the rest of the season due to a heart bypass procedure that he’ll undergo on Tuesday, March 15.

“I’m grateful that they caught my issue early and they expect a full recovery,” Blaha said in a release. pic.twitter.com/tcGzIpHuez

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) March 13, 2022

“George is part of our family and he and his wife, Mary, have our full support every step of the way,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “George is in the best of care and in great spirits. We join his many fans, friends and colleagues in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”

Per the Pistons’ press release:

Blaha began his career with the Pistons in 1976 and has called more than 3,200 regular season games and over 260 playoff games.  He’s been behind the microphone for the team’s five Eastern Conference Championships, five NBA Finals appearances and all three NBA Championships (89, 90 and 04).  From Bob Lanier in 1976 to Cade Cunningham this season, Blaha has been the “Voice of the Pistons” during six decades that have featured hall of fame players, all-stars, 20-plus head coaches and three arenas.

Blaha was a 2008 inductee to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and has been the recipient of many industry awards, including the Ty Tyson Award for broadcasting excellence by the Detroit Sports Media Association and two-time Michigan Sports Broadcaster of the Year from the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association (2003, 2007).