The news of the death of Jim McKay spread across the elder half of the sports nation like a dark cloud before daybreak this past weekend. You see, it's an Olympic year.

And as much as an Olympic year brings back fond memories of Mark Spitz, Bruce Jenner, Nadia Comaneci and the like, it also brings back memories the voice of the Olympics: Jim McKay.

McKay was also the voice of ABC's Wide World of Sports. You know, the guy who uttered those immortal words "The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat" as the ski jumper dude face planted coming off the jump.

He was also the one who told us all that the Israeli hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics had ended violently and tragically, stating so simply yet so powerfully, "They're all gone."

Those born in the ESPN era will never know that it was McKay that was the first sports broadcaster that covered ALL of the sports, even the goofy ones. And so, in an Olympic year, we pay tribute to McKay and five others who are among the greatest sportscasters of all time.

1. Howard Cosell

The art of the color commentator started with Howard Cosell, and it might as well have ended with him.

The lawyer turned sports broadcaster was best known for his brash know-it-all role on Monday Night Football, a role in which he was equally loved and equally despised. And Cosell would have it no other way.

Cosell left Monday Night Football the year I graduated from high school, and the program has been in steady decline since.

What made him so great is that he said many things that would enrage listeners, but he actually believed in what he was saying. He wasn't pulling some kind of Bill Walton "just saying things to be controversial" sort of way.

Arrogant. Brilliant. Loveable. Despicable. All wrapped up in the broadcaster who was as principled (he eventually refused to broadcast boxing matches because of the brutality of the sport) as he was talented, Cosell is sorely missed from the cookie cutter, politically correct broadcaster of today.

2. Bob Costas

Perhaps the most versatile of big time sports broadcasters, Bob Costas rose from the ranks of covering the American Basketball Association to big league baseball and studio host for the National Football League pre- and post-game shows to eventually starring in his own cable television show and the creation of NBC's "Later," where his expert interviewing technique was put on display for the world to see.

Costas' book, "Fair Ball: A Fan's Case for Baseball," is among the best written on the state of today's game. Being a Minnesota Twins fan since birth, no one has spoken directly to the issues of the small-market fanatic like Costas.

And his return to the NFL with Football Night In America has brought his considerable skills back before the audience that first embraced him.

But my favorite thing about Costas is his story about how he got his first job in St. Louis. When he sent in a tape of him broadcasting a hockey game, he cut out all the boring parts and made it a sort of greatest hits.

It's funny, but listening to Costas now, there aren't many boring parts.

3. Al Michaels

Michaels would likely earn a spot in the top five for one spectacular moment in sports history: The 1980 U.S. hockey team's victory over the dominant Russian's at Lake Placid.

"Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" is perhaps the best known phrase in sports broadcasting history.

Still, he has also been the anchor of the Monday Night Football team since for the past couple of decades, and his best work is probably in baseball.

4. Vin Scully

And speaking of baseball, a discussion of the best broadcasters would be remiss if it didn't include Vin Scully. The voice of Los Angeles Dodgers, Scully's style and elegance calling America's game is renowned far beyond the reaches of the Los Angeles faithful.

And though there are plenty of great hometown announcers worthy of recognition - Ernie Harwell, Jack Buck, etc. - few could bring that elegance to the national stage without nary a hitch.

5. Marv Albert

The true voice of the NBA, Albert's trademark "Yes!" after a made basket is as integral to the success of the league as icons such as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan or any of today's stars.

Albert's court troubles may have tarnished his star a bit, but on air, nobody is as smooth as the self-effacing Albert.

BONUS: And while the top five is always a noteworthy topic, check out Maxim's list of the 10 worst broadcasters in sports today.