Don West has succumbed to cancer. The television pitchman and professional wrestling broadcaster was 59.
Just heard from wife Terri that our brother @DonWestDeals will be spending New Years in heaven. Terri said D-Dub finally had to tap out from his match with lymphoma. We bonded as soon as we met, both as broadcast partners and friends. Years of great moments both on and off camera
— Mike Tenay (@RealMikeTenay) December 30, 2022
With all due respect to Billy Mays, Ron Popeil, Anthony Sullivan and the ShamWow guy, West is the greatest TV salesman ever. No one — and I mean no one — has ever moved baseball cards, Beanie Babies, Star Wars memorabilia and samurai swords like he did. The guy literally had two Saturday Night Live sketches about him!
“Chewbacca with the Brewers” kills me every time.
I remember waking up early on Saturdays when I was a kid and watching Shop at Home on CN8 (for whatever reason we were considered in the Philadelphia market for some stations) to kill time until everyone else was up. And there was just something mesmerizing about sweaty guys dressed like they picked their outfits out of the lost and found box screaming about Jose Canseco rookie cards.
I turned 33 in October. My sister-in-law is in college. And I often think about how there are things I grew up with that must seem so ridiculous to people her age. Like Blockbuster and Sam Goody and flip phones. Buying crap off of paid programming shows in the wee hours of the morning would definitely fit that bill. But how could you not get sucked in by this?
I regret to inform you Erin the Irish Bear did not end up covering the down payment for my yacht.
RIP, Mr. West. I am confident you have already talked St. Peter into buying that limited edition Wayne Gretzky lithograph.
MORE ON ESNY:
• Wilpons’ ability to endlessly annoy Mets fans is alive and well
• Giants’ defense could get Week 17 boost vs. Colts
• Jaguars forcing region to relitigate Eagles-Giants 2020 ‘tank’ debacle
• If Stephen A. Smith is working WrestleMania, can ‘Mad Dog’ Russo too?
• Jets coaches may also have their future at stake during final stretch
James Kratch can be reached at james.kratch@xlmedia.com
