When I think of Philadelphia 76ers television broadcasters throughout the years there are two names that pop into my head. The first is obviously current voice of the team, Marc Zumoff. The second is the guy I remember hearing as a kid, Zumoff's former partner Steve Mix.
Mix's name often comes up when discussing Sixers' telecasts with fans who have been watching this team for decades, but other than that you don't hear a lot about him.
Until now. The New York Post caught up with Mix in the strangest of places. He's an usher for the New York Mets down in spring training.
Mix and his wife moved to the Vero Beach area recently and he was looking for something to do to keep busy. Taking tickets at a baseball game turned out to be a great fit. Not only does he get to interact with fans who occasionally recognize him but he also gets to be the resident hoops head.
J.P. Ricciardi, special assistant to general manager Sandy Alderson, knows basketball, too, coaching the sport at Holy Name High School in Worcester, Mass., for 11 years and going to three state finals. One day he was going to his seat, saw the tall guy named Steve Mix and put two and two together.
"At first I said, 'That guy is really big to be an usher.' And then I was talking to him and I see the name Steve Mix and I say, 'How many Steve Mix can their be?' What a great guy, a humble guy," Ricciardi said. "It made my spring. I've been talking hoops with him the whole time. I've seen him help a lot of elderly people, too, he's really compassionate.'"
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There's an anecdote about Dr. J. in the piece that is worth a read as well. The Doc called Mix "Sky" but not for the reason you'd think.
