Legendary voice of ESPN basketball Dick Vitale undergoes vocal cord surgery
Dick Vitale, the most iconic commentator in college basketball, underwent vocal cord surgery in Boston on Tuesday at Mass General Hospital.
Vitale, a Lakewood Ranch resident where he has a home with his wife Lorraine, shared on his Twitter he arrived in Boston on Sunday and had a lot on his mind due to the pending surgery.
He shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed preparing for anesthesia on Twitter. He also posted his fear of anesthesia because of his age and called the operation his “National Championship.”
Vitale planned for a successful surgery that will get him back courtside which he expressed to his followers on Twitter would be, “the best medicine I can get.”
Later in the day, he tweeted, “Surgery was challenging/Dr Zeitels said I will be in heavy soreness for a week. Dr Z said it was a 3 hr Surgery . He felt that he was able to get done what he wanted to do . Must stay overnight at Mass General Hospital to monitor the situation.”
The 2022 March Madness tournament selections take place on March 13. Basketball fans hope to hear “You serious, baby!” and “That kid’s a true diaper dandy” again following his surgery.
In his 42nd season commentating games for ESPN, Vitale recently made his return to broadcasting since being diagnosed with lymphoma in October.
Following Vitale’s diagnosis, he was among the first to be treated at Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s new cancer center in November. He received his fourth chemotherapy treatment and participated in the center ribbon cutting.
Well known as basketball’s biggest ambassador, Dick Vitale is best known in the Bradenton area for his charity work with V Foundation and local Boys & Girls clubs.
Vitale’s V Foundation Gala raise funds for pediatric cancer research and is held at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.
In 2021, the gala collected $5 million dollars for research.
