CLEVELAND — Les Levine, the self-proclaimed “Voice of Truth and Reason,” has been called a trailblazer of sports television and radio.

What You Need To Know

  • Les Levine died on Wednesday, Feb. 3

  • Levine’s career spanned five decades

  • His Sports Talk Show “More Sports and Les Levine” aired on radio, television and eventually streamed online

  • Levine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018

 

His career spanned five decades, but his signature show, “More Sports and Les Levine” began on the radio in 1991, then aired on television, including on Spectrum and eventually streamed online.

Levine frequently appeared on 92.3 The Fan, Cleveland’s sports talk radio station.

“I wouldn't be doing TV, radio, play-by-play . . . all those things today if it weren't for my relationship with Les Levine,” said 92.3 The Fan Host Anthony Lima.

Lima said he grew up listening to Levine on the radio.

When he started his professional career, Lima said Levine was a mentor to him.

“His voice is part of the soundtrack of Cleveland sports and I think it'd be impossible for anybody that grew up in this city or ended up having a job in this city in radio or TV to not have some imprint of Les' voice on their mind at some point, that eventually filters through to you being actually on the air.”

Levine was known for his sense of humor, even as he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018.

He kept going. Bringing joy to his loyal listeners.

“So many Clevelanders had a connection with Les. I think that is why he was so pioneering, why he was so influential and why I think he was so iconic. Him, his voice, his sense of humor. I think it all resonated with so many Clevelanders which, I think, ultimately, it has to be the best, most fitting tribute that anybody could ask for,” Lima said.

In a statement, his family said Levine was one of the first sports talk hosts to invite fans to call into his shows.

He often included his famous “how come quickies,” which fans could also send in for him to read on air.

For instance, “How come I wasn’t going to get a brain transplant but then I changed my mind.”

Most recently, “More Sports and Les Levine” streamed on Cleveland.com.

His last broadcast was Dec. 30.

“Just a one-of-a-kind. He combined serious, interesting discussion with fun and uplifting, uplifting thoughts,” said Cleveland.com Sports Manager, Dave Campbell.

Campbell said Levine will be remembered as a giant of Cleveland sports broadcasting.

“The thing that really was interesting to me about Les . . . I mean I grew up in Chicago, but when I came here it was interesting that if you were a Cleveland sports fan, you follow the teams. But the same way you would follow the Indians, the Browns and the Cavs, you also follow Les like he was an institution," Campbell said.

"He was like one of your teams and fans will get up every day and they want to see did the Indians make a trade or (did) the Browns do this or that. But they also want to know what Les thinks. What was Les saying today and what funny thing would Les say that would kind of brighten your day and that was just, I thought that was a really special relationship that he had with Cleveland fans that way."

In 2006, Levine was inducted into the Radio and Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio.

Levine died Wednesday at age 74.

In the spirit of his “how come quickies” its safe to say many fans will be wondering . . . how come less is more . . . But we can't have a little bit more of Les.