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10 Questions for the Dean of D.C. Hockey, Ron Weber

By pucksandbooks - November 9, 2006

Part of what we want to do at OFB is remind people that there is a rich legacy to the Capitals' organization and a sizable spirit for hockey in this region, and if you want to chronicle this you have to reach out to the people who laid the groundwork for it and ask them to share their stories. And today we begin our chronicle by sitting down with the Dean of D.C. Hockey, Ron Weber, a Washington Hall of Fame broadcast talent who for many veteran Caps' fans was no less than their access point to pro hockey in D.C.

OFB was granted a great privilege this past Monday evening when, an hour before the Caps-Senators' game at Verizon Center, we were invited to sit down with Mr. Weber and address any and all questions about his remarkable radio career and his general thoughts on pucks in D.C.

Today Mr. Weber and his wife, Mary Jane, reside in Montgomery County, Maryland, and attend every Caps' home game. In the course of this memorable visit it became clear to us that while Mr. Weber is removed from a career in hockey by nearly 10 years, his love affair with both the Caps and hockey is as vibrant as ever. It's virtually certain that we won't again see the likes of his run behind a microphone at any rink or home field for a Washington professional sports team.

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Discussion

30 Comments on "10 Questions for the Dean of D.C. Hockey, Ron Weber"

#1

Posted by JP, November 9, 2006 2:56 PM

Great, great stuff. I remember going to games out at the Capital Centre and my dad would always listen to Weber on his little walkman.

In retrospect, perhaps he could've been a little more attentive to me, but knowing what a joy it was to listen to RW call a game, I can't blame him.

#2

Posted by Chris, November 9, 2006 3:53 PM

Great job OFB Team, I bet MSM won't do interviews like that. Takes up to much dead space.

#3

Posted by Matthew, November 9, 2006 3:59 PM

Great stuff. I am way to young (22) to have known him but this is a great piece. Thanks

#4

Posted by TG, November 9, 2006 4:15 PM

And one of the saddest things was it wasn't until the season following his "retirement" that the Caps made it to the Stanley Cup finals. All those games called, and he never got to call the ultimate one(s).

#5

Posted by Mellyville9, November 9, 2006 4:32 PM

YES! What a great interview! I loooved Ron Weber. I used to listen to him after the games too. Now u cant listen to anyone cause of the metro :( he will definitly be The Voice of the Capitals forever. Next Interview suggestion: KEN BEATRICE, another legendary Washington radio personality!

#6

Posted by Mike, November 9, 2006 6:33 PM

Thanks for the memories. Ron taught this newbie all he knows about hockey, all whilst I lay in bed at night, unable to doze off because of his excitement and passion.

Ron is one-third of a trio of local greats I truly miss: Ron doing the Caps, Frank doing the 'Skins, and jon Miller doing the O's. Ah, those were the days!

#7

Posted by Dez, November 9, 2006 6:42 PM

Great write-up.. Had forgotten about the old RW and staying up late to listen to his broadcasts. And I'm loving the suggestion for Ken Beatrice next... After that, OFB needs to catalogue the JR. Fan Packs from back in the day..

#8

Posted by DCCapsChick, November 9, 2006 6:58 PM

What a great interview...you can tell how much he loves the Caps and how much he is beloved by Caps fans. Ron is up there in my earliest memories of the team, as is Ken Beatrice - I used to fall asleep listening to that oh-so-soothing (ha!) voice in the Caps Centre parking lot gridlock.

#9

Posted by sean hall, November 9, 2006 8:55 PM

I've known Ron Weber for more than thirty years--going back to his summer of 1974 days at Mutual when he was doing the sports weekend shows. I, for a time, was one of his tape editors that summer. Ron had no peer when it came to "show prep" and statistics. He did his homework tenfold, which may explain why he had statistics like "this is the third night since 1976 the Caps haven't worn laces in their skates." Abe Pollin's sports teams have a bad habit of treating pivotal people like crap--and Ron was one of them. Nearly 2-thousand consecutive games called and then summarily bounced before the team made the Finals. Guy Charron, Dennis Maruk, Rod Langway, Michael Jordan--all also treated shabbily in the end. Nevertheless; Ron handled it like the pro he is--and I hope there is a day when he can call a Stanley Cup Final game for the Caps. If and when that happens; I hope they pipe it throughout Verizon Center and offer it as a podcast afterwards, with proceeds going directly to Ron for his years of pain and suffering (lol!). Ron--glad to know you're doing okay! Great interview, OFB!

#10

Posted by Marc, November 10, 2006 1:57 AM

I grew up listening to Ron Weber and falling asleep to his calls many a night. My best memory is also Game 7 of the 1988 Caps-Flyers series. I was in college in Boston and couldn't see or hear the game anywhere. I had to listen to sports talk shows to get the score. When it was over, my father called me and let me listen long distance to Ron doing the replay of the Dale Hunter goal. Since my roommate was a Flyers fan, I'll never forget that night! Thanks Ron. We miss you!

#11

Posted by Chuck, November 10, 2006 12:48 PM

"Oh Miss Twiddle!!!" Ron Weber is a classy man. I learned about the game, and, how to enjoy Caps Hockey listening to him when I was a kid. His name should somehow be hanging in the Arena right now!!!

#12

Posted by burt, November 10, 2006 3:52 PM

To me Ron Weber was THE Capitals. Listening to the game either when I lived on the eastern shore at the time or later when I moved to the Bowie area, Ron Weber kept me interested in hockey. Since he left I have not listened to the games near as much, but I think of Ron Weber often. Besides my work as a substitute teacher, I also am a scorekeeper for an adult hockey league in Easton.

#13

Posted by pepper, November 10, 2006 5:15 PM

Great piece guys. My face lit up when I saw the subject line and the promise of getting to read an interview with the man who ignited my tragic passion for Caps hockey.

Sometimes it's hard to remember the days of minimal TV game coverage (let alone Center Ice) but Ron Weber painted the picture for me during those frequent no TV games. I can picture the radio in my bedroom as a teenager, tuned into Ron's excellent coverage and his generous servings of statistical tidbits. And he did all those games himself.

I loved the "Capitals mailbag" feature Ron did between between periods as well, where he would explain nuances of rules and strategies, or maybe just little known facts about the players in the pre-internet age.

I couldn't agree more with his assessment of the 1 pt for a OT/SO loss. Not only does it affect records (see Buffalo and Anaheim this season) but it seems mathematically flawed - games that end in OT or SO distribute 3 points to the teams, whereas games ending in regulation are worth 2 points.

Further, if the league really wants shootouts to be exciting, make the loser a real loser, i.e. no points. And awarding 1 pt for an OT loss was, I believe, intended to prevent teams from playing for the tie. Since there now are no ties, so why still allow an OT-loser to claim 1 point?

I agree that Ron should be honored in some fashion at MCI. Its still a shame that the first season post-Weber, the team goes to the Finals. That would have been such a treat for him to call the games through that run, and a treat for all of us as well.

#14

Posted by Andrew, November 10, 2006 7:01 PM

I had tried to suggest that there be a "Ms Twiddle" banner hanging over Olie in the rafters at MCI. Ted wouldn't have any of it. It s too bad, because he is the reason I am a Caps fan.

I too was bummed at the irony of the Cup run the year after he retired.

Thanks for the memories, and Ron, thank you for painting a picture of a beautiful game.

#15

Posted by Bill-DC, November 11, 2006 2:25 AM

Outstanding interview. I was hooked on the Caps and Ron's broadcasts from day one when my Dad got season tickets. Ron's booth was close to section 106 at the ol' Potato Chip (Cap Centre) where our seats were and Ron would always take time to chat with us and others. Super friendly and as classy as they come.

A true Hockey Hall of Famer in my opinion. I hope that honor comes to Mr. Weber soon.

#16

Posted by Sam-VA, November 12, 2006 6:09 PM

So nice to hear from Ron Weber. He is the consummate journalist who brought us the Caps games back when television coverage was the exception. I miss him so much and the nights when the games could be picked up out here in Prince William County on WTOP or WMAL. How unfortunate it is now that the nighttime signal of the radio station they're on now cannot be heard out here and the radio play-by-play announcer today must insert dramatic and exaggerated excitement to artificially pump-up enthusiasm, much like the telescreen at the Verizon Center. That is not journalism and it is not needed.

#17

Posted by sean hall, November 13, 2006 1:42 AM

One more thing on Ron: I think the 1988 game 7 with the Flyers where Hunts won it on the breakaway might be the best Caps game ever. I was standing just inside the north goal concourse entrance and never saw anything like it before or since at the Capital Centre/US Air Arena. It is sad how good some of Bryan Murray's teams were during the regular season--but couldn't finish off teams in the playoffs. I stopped going to home games when they moved to MCI and, thus, lost touch with a lot of the aura. Still; I was there from the beginning and it will always be a great overall memory.

#18

Posted by just sayin, November 13, 2006 5:47 PM

The first time I heard RW do a Caps came was early in my freshman year at GW in '76 - the opening game of the third season in the teams' history. It was an opening night game and the Caps started earlier than anyone else in the division, so after the (rare in those days) victory, RW could announce that the Caps were alone in first place for the first time ever. What a great introduction to a announcer and his characteristic enthusiasm and love for the quirky statistic. In the pre-internet and electronic database days, that was a lot more unusual than it is today.

Thanks for reminder of some wonderful memories. I'm glad RW is enjoying his retirement.

#19

Posted by Axel Foley, November 13, 2006 7:58 PM

I used to fall asleep to Rone Weber's call of the games listening to the caps in the '70s. He was the voice of the Caps. Excellent article and I hope you do one next on Ken Beatrice.

#20

Posted by BringBackRon, November 13, 2006 8:07 PM

I miss Ron Weber. The broadcast isn't the same without him. In fact, its really bad. I can't listen to it anymore its so bad. If you going to force a legend to retire, at least bring someone with similar level in talent. Steve Kolbe is the worst.

Ron Weber brought excitement and tension to the game. His added emphasis and inflection on simple comments like "He shoots" brings you out of your seat and directs your attention to the game (much to the detriment of passing cars nearby).

Kolbe doesn't bring that to the broadcast. His voice quality is weak. He's completely monotone until a goal is scored. The goal comes as a complete surprise cause Kolbe failed to give any hint via voice inflection that a scoring opportunity was present.

#21

Posted by Richard Sheffler, November 15, 2006 3:51 AM

Ron Weber truely one of the great radio play by play guys. I remember when he first started doing the Baltimore Clippers on WBAL after Jim West went to Chicago. Broadcasting hockey from the top of the old Baltimore Civic Center.

#22

Posted by dave, November 16, 2006 3:44 PM

Yeah, Ron Weber IS the Caps. I'll always remember his statistics ("the Capitals are 3-5-2 when playing on February 4"), his sense of history and his enthusiasm.

I was a fan from day 1. My favorite memories are from seasons 3-5 (approximately) when they were always fighting for that last playoff spot (they never got it). Standings points were so hard to come by that I couldn't wait to check the sports page the morning after a win, to see they'd gained 2 points on Pittsburgh!

Funny that so many talked about trying to hear games after going to college. I was at West Virginia University doing the same thing. On some nights I could pull Ron Weber in and follow the game.

I live near Philadelphia now. In the arenas here, the broadcasters are in the local "hall of fame" and have a banner hanging in the arena. How could there not be a Ron Weber banner wherever the Caps play?

One more thing. Is that Yvan Labre jersey hanging from the rafters? My friends and I always thought it was the curse of Yvan Labre that thwarted them in the eighties, when they had outstanding teams that never really won anything.

#23

Posted by Carl, November 17, 2006 12:53 AM

What I'd give to hear just one Caps game broadcast to begin with the line, "it's time for the world's fastest sport." Ron Weber helped make me a lifetime Caps fan. He was a singular talent, and his obvious knowledge of and love for hockey helped cement the Caps' position in a sometimes hockey-resistant DC.

I have no problem with Steve Kolbe, but wouldn't it be great to have RW join him in the booth for just one game?

#24

Posted by Adam, December 16, 2006 5:54 AM

I would give anything to hear Ron call just one more game and hear "It's been a two-point night" one more time. I am only 22, but Ron Weber was the man back in the early to mid 90's that kindled my passion for the Capitals more than a decade ago. I would love to know where Ron sits at the games so I could go up and tell him how much I enjoyed listening to him back then. I used to pretend to go to bed and then turn my radio on low and listen to him call caps games when I was supposed to be sleeping. Not good for my school, but I wouldn't trade those memories for the world. Thanks Ron for everything!

#25

Posted by Marv Farrel, December 16, 2006 4:56 PM

I live in Pa. but would always love hearing Ron Weber's voice on the Caps broadcasts. I was at the game 7 in '88 when Hunter scored in ot. I thought I was in heaven. It was great hearing Weber's call of the game winner on replay in car in the parking lot. You are greatly missed, Ron and wish you the best. Thanks again, Ron.

#26

Posted by Ray, June 5, 2007 8:22 PM

Ron Weber IS fantastic, but so is Steve Kolbe. Clearly I disagree with BringBackRon, though I admit to being a bit biased. To wit, I had the pleasure of working with Steve at WTEM around the time he started his tenure as Caps announcer. Kolbe's passion, knowledge, interest in the game of hockey cannot be questioned, nor can the professionalism he brings to his game by game broadcasts--no WONDER he's still at it after all these years, and may one day even challenge Mr. Webers Gehrig-like tenure. BringBackRon is entitled to his opinion, but I would suggest to that gentleman he learn the difference between being criticising and critiquing.

#27

Posted by Gabe, July 2, 2007 3:11 PM

Ron is great. As a kid I used to fall asleep at night with his broadcast playing under my pillow so my parents would not hear I was still up. I remember the game that the caps lost to the isles in the 4th OT. There was a huge storm and a blackout that night. My whole family was wrapped around the battery powered radio listening until that awful moment at 2:05 am. Ron is also a great guy, I had the pleasure of meeting him a a bunch of times and was even a mailbag winner on multiple occasions as a kid.

#28

Posted by essex03, July 19, 2007 6:41 PM

I really miss Ron Weber and feel his delivery and preparation was second to none. Its not every day that we get to listen to an announcer of his caliber.
I listened religiously to Ron every game and loved all of his facts and figures. Who can forget that he called the Montreal squad "Canadians" instead of "THE Canadians"? He told us that was because there were two teams in Montreal with the nickname "Canadians" and they used "The" in only one name to tell them apart. The team in the NHL was not that team. Classic.
I have no idea what the higher-ups were thinking when they got rid of him. I talked to Susan O'Malley once about that and she said the franchise needed, "a new voice for the new arena". Ridiculous.
Bring back Ron Weber!!! I havent listened to a Caps game on the radio since Kolbe started. It cant be the same.

#29

Posted by katzistan, September 5, 2007 5:37 AM

Got linked to this from the Caps' message board. Great interview. Will chime in how much I miss Ron too - his calls will always occupy a special part of my memory. One year I even taped all the goal calls..."after 5:57 of Overtime, a Dale Hunter breakaway...Washington lives to play again!" What great memories. Caps - please bring back Ron Weber!!

#30

Posted by vic stark, November 5, 2007 3:25 AM

I grew up in Baltimore as a fan of the Baltimore Clippers, and Caps. I really miss Ron's play by play. I can appreciate the difficulty in trying to call a game in Baltimore, because I used to sit in the last row of the Civic Center with the drunks, it really was very difficult to see players numbers. He deserves a special tribute in Washington; he was part of the Caps history and growth.

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