Are there any good broadcasters left? - Page 2

ukhotstove · 10-20-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autism Speaks

Jon Miller is the only national guy left that I really enjoy. I miss being able to hear Vin Scully calling games.

Bit late in the season but if you have a iPod, iPhone or iPad you should think about purchasing the MLBtv app. They have a free game everyday, I know it wont be Vin Scully on every free game but imo worth the money. And if you have a MLBtv subscription it's 100% worth the money imo.

Jason Moyer · 10-20-2010, 03:05 PM

I liked Al Leiter when he did a postseason series awhile ago (2001? 2003?), but I haven't heard him since then.

Supposedly the Phillies radio crew is pretty good now. I know Larry Andersen is great but I couldn't even name the other guy.

jaxmagicman · 10-20-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Moyer

I liked Al Leiter when he did a postseason series awhile ago (2001? 2003?), but I haven't heard him since then.

Supposedly the Phillies radio crew is pretty good now. I know Larry Andersen is great but I couldn't even name the other guy.

I loved Al as well. He is on the MLB Network now, inside their studio.

pstrickert · 10-20-2010, 03:31 PM

In order to get some ideas for the PbP in OOTP, I spent a lot of time this baseball season listening to radio broadcasters. (And, yes, I agree that the MLB app for the iPad is terrific.) I don't claim to be an expert, but I was able to hear (and compare) nearly every radio broadcast team. With the exception of Ron Santo, they were all highly competent. The best of them make it look easy, but I'm sure it's not. IMHO, the KC Royals team is perhaps the best. Natural, fluid, insightful. It is obvious that they do a lot of homework. The SF Giants team is also quite good (though Jon Miller might be a tad overrated). Scully is excellent, of course. Uecker is one-of-a-kind. I also enjoyed hearing the Reds broadcasters. I could tolerate the NYY team, if we could subtract Sterling's "signature calls" completely. Just my 2 cents.

TribeFanInNC · 10-20-2010, 04:06 PM

Haha...Ron Santo is hilarious - the definition of homer.

Nutlaw · 10-20-2010, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edm

I like Darling, but it's probably because I watch a lot of Mets games with Gary Cohen, Hernandez, and Darling, who are imo the best booth in baseball.

Yeah, I really enjoy listening to these guys. They always seem to be the most informative and thoughtful broadcasters, in my mind. I usually feel like I'm learning something from them.

Not so much Jon Miller.

RchW · 10-20-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitter24

The combination of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy in Boston is about as good of a combo that you'll get for a baseball broadcast. Though Orsillo just doesn't have the same rapport (naturally) with whatever random color guy he is working with when he does nationally televised playoff games.

I like Orsillo and Remy. They are very good for a home crew on Red Sox games. I thought Orsillo worked well with Buck Martinez on the Rays/Rangers series.

Any discussion of good broadcasters that doesn't include Dan Shulman is incomplete. He is better than many of the big names talked about here and elsewhere.

Hurkman · 10-21-2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Moyer

I liked Al Leiter when he did a postseason series awhile ago (2001? 2003?), but I haven't heard him since then.

Supposedly the Phillies radio crew is pretty good now. I know Larry Andersen is great but I couldn't even name the other guy.

Scott Franzke is the other guy. He's good. LA is a bit of a homer, but he's good if you're a Philly fan. That being said, Harry Kalas was the best.

For the person that said the Met broadcast booth was great, I don't know who you've been listening to. Ron Darling is horrible, just as he is in these TBS broadcasts. My favorite moment with that crew was listening to them call the 2007 regular season finale. It was like listening to a funeral.

In case you didn't notice, I hate the Mets.

thomamon · 10-21-2010, 01:24 AM

I can't believe anyone thinks Ron Darling is a good announcer. He is awful. He sounds like he's spitting as he talks, gasps for air and is clueless. He is on Tim McCarver level bad if you ask me. "A-Rod is on first, he can steal a base here, or not... If he goes and makes it he's closer to scoring, but if he doesn't then he's out. He has some speed, but I don't think he'll chance it. But we may see him go". You wonder why Keith Hernandez fell asleep in the booth this year doing a game? It was because he was listening to Darling babble...

Jon Miller isn't bad, I enjoy him. Joe Morgan is OK, not nearly as bad as some of the others, not sure why he is hated so much.

The sad thing is John Sterling use to be good when he had good partners. I think Waldman has really brought him down.

The Yankees have some decent announcers, depending on who is doing the game on YES. Michael Kay and Al Leiter I enjoy, as I do Kay and O'Neill. But Ken Singleton has gotten really bad over the years and I don't enjoy Flaherty at all. When it is Singleton and Flaherty together, it is a total snooze fest.

Erik W. · 10-21-2010, 07:39 AM

I think the worst part of either broadcast is the guy who does Fox's post-game interviews. That guy is terrible. If you read the text of his questions without seeing him you'd swear he was one of those D-team sideline reporters who were hired entirely for their looks.

In fact, that's an insult to those good looking D-team sideline reporters. He's just awful.

Marinersfan51 · 10-22-2010, 01:49 PM

Part of the bad broadcasting in the postseason is because they use broadcasters who are for other sports, not baseball. The only games they call all year are in the postseason.

kingcharlesxii · 10-22-2010, 02:45 PM

Brian Anderson is the Brewers' PBP guy and he did some of the postseason games. I notice he's always much more reserved when he does a national broadcast, he likes to joke around a lot on the Brewers TV games.

And of course, nothing compares to Uecker for an interesting broadcast. There are better broadcasters (Scully) but if you're looking for a little fun with your game, Uecker can't be beat.

tylertoo · 10-22-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomamon

I can't believe anyone thinks Ron Darling is a good announcer. He is awful. He sounds like he's spitting as he talks, gasps for air and is clueless. He is on Tim McCarver level bad if you ask me. "A-Rod is on first, he can steal a base here, or not... If he goes and makes it he's closer to scoring, but if he doesn't then he's out. He has some speed, but I don't think he'll chance it. But we may see him go"

This is hysterical. Well done.

Here in Philly, the local radio guys are synched up with the tv broadcast so we can listen to the radio and not have to suffer through the network 'announcers.' And my wife doesn't understand when I do this. She thinks its because I want 'homers' doing the broadcast. I tell her, no, its 'cuz the network guys are horrible. She rolls her eyes.

LeeDorm8185 · 10-25-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

Best booth in baseball?? While Vin Scully is still working?? You must be joking.

This is the correct answer. Vinny is in a class by himself.

The Professor · 10-26-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pstrickert

In order to get some ideas for the PbP in OOTP, I spent a lot of time this baseball season listening to radio broadcasters. (And, yes, I agree that the MLB app for the iPad is terrific.) I don't claim to be an expert, but I was able to hear (and compare) nearly every radio broadcast team. With the exception of Ron Santo, they were all highly competent. The best of them make it look easy, but I'm sure it's not. IMHO, the KC Royals team is perhaps the best. Natural, fluid, insightful. It is obvious that they do a lot of homework. The SF Giants team is also quite good (though Jon Miller might be a tad overrated). Scully is excellent, of course. Uecker is one-of-a-kind. I also enjoyed hearing the Reds broadcasters. I could tolerate the NYY team, if we could subtract Sterling's "signature calls" completely. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, I've listened to all the crews for several years now and I'd agree almost completely -- I love the Royals radio crew. No frills, no dumbing down, just clean, highly "listenable" broadcasting. Agreed, as well, on the Giants and your other notes...

Antonin · 10-26-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

My Indians have Matt Underwood and former Indian Rick Manning on the TV side. I far prefer the radio team of Tom Hamilton and Mike Hegan.

Gotta agree. Still, when I'm watching the Indians on TV with my wife we often just stick to the TV crew.

I *loved* the Indians' former radio announcer Herb Score, mistakes and all. Just loved his voice. Back in the 1990s I recorded several of his games with those great teams we had then. In one game, I think it was in 1997, he refers to "the young Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter."

RchW · 10-26-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomamon

Jon Miller isn't bad, I enjoy him. Joe Morgan is OK, not nearly as bad as some of the others, not sure why he is hated so much.

To me, those two are the worst combination in baseball broadcasting. Orel Hershiser is not great but as the third wheel he must pull his hair out listening to Morgan babble even more than Darling does. Late this season Hershiser mentioned something about Felix Hernandez and the Cy Young. Morgan prattled on about how a starting pitchers job was to win and that good pitchers "got" the win.

A couple of times a game Morgan will lecture on something from which he earlier took an opposite position. When Miller cares enough (rarely) to point this out, Morgan always prevaricates or claims a different context. Morgan appears to come into games with a "cheat list" of topics to discuss and will go through his list even if the game takes an unexpected turn. It really turns me off Sunday Night Baseball.

reds1869 · 10-27-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

It really turns me off Sunday Night Baseball.

The Yankees and Red Sox do that for me.

GMLoophole · 10-27-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

When Miller cares enough (rarely) to point this out, Morgan always prevaricates or claims a different context.

It's not that he doesn't care, it's that he's professional enough to not criticize virtually everything that is said by his broadcast partner. I haven't heard yet if he's coming back for SNB without Morgan next year. I hope not, although it's possible the Giants might make it a national broadcast on Sunday night next year.

I am lucky to hear the Giants radio and TV broadcasting teams all the time, and they are all great. They're at their best during spring training games, IMO, but they've been good with actual important baseball games to call.

Erik W. · 10-27-2010, 03:27 PM

I think Krukow and Kuiper are awesome. Not in the same way Scully is awesome, of course, but still awesome. I watch Giants games just because of them, and even my wife will pay a bit more attention to a game I'm watching with them doing the broadcast just because they make the game fun.

But at the same time I can see how someone might hate them, too.

10-20-2010, 03:05 PM	#22
Jason Moyer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,108	I liked Al Leiter when he did a postseason series awhile ago (2001? 2003?), but I haven't heard him since then. Supposedly the Phillies radio crew is pretty good now. I know Larry Andersen is great but I couldn't even name the other guy. __________________ "I pretty much popped everything cold turkey. We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses." -- Tom House "I was very fortunate to have a pitching coach by the name of Tom House...Tom, I really miss those days that we spent in the weight room and out on the field working together." -- Nolan Ryan's HoF Induction Speech

10-21-2010, 07:39 AM	#30
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	I think the worst part of either broadcast is the guy who does Fox's post-game interviews. That guy is terrible. If you read the text of his questions without seeing him you'd swear he was one of those D-team sideline reporters who were hired entirely for their looks. In fact, that's an insult to those good looking D-team sideline reporters. He's just awful. __________________ Free agent baseball fan. Let's go (insert team name here)!

10-27-2010, 03:27 PM	#40
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	I think Krukow and Kuiper are awesome. Not in the same way Scully is awesome, of course, but still awesome. I watch Giants games just because of them, and even my wife will pay a bit more attention to a game I'm watching with them doing the broadcast just because they make the game fun. But at the same time I can see how someone might hate them, too. __________________ Free agent baseball fan. Let's go (insert team name here)!

10-20-2010, 03:31 PM	#24
pstrickert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 17,008	In order to get some ideas for the PbP in OOTP, I spent a lot of time this baseball season listening to radio broadcasters. (And, yes, I agree that the MLB app for the iPad is terrific.) I don't claim to be an expert, but I was able to hear (and compare) nearly every radio broadcast team. With the exception of Ron Santo, they were all highly competent. The best of them make it look easy, but I'm sure it's not. IMHO, the KC Royals team is perhaps the best. Natural, fluid, insightful. It is obvious that they do a lot of homework. The SF Giants team is also quite good (though Jon Miller might be a tad overrated). Scully is excellent, of course. Uecker is one-of-a-kind. I also enjoyed hearing the Reds broadcasters. I could tolerate the NYY team, if we could subtract Sterling's "signature calls" completely. Just my 2 cents.

10-20-2010, 04:06 PM	#25
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	Haha...Ron Santo is hilarious - the definition of homer.

10-21-2010, 01:24 AM	#29
thomamon Global Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,274	I can't believe anyone thinks Ron Darling is a good announcer. He is awful. He sounds like he's spitting as he talks, gasps for air and is clueless. He is on Tim McCarver level bad if you ask me. "A-Rod is on first, he can steal a base here, or not... If he goes and makes it he's closer to scoring, but if he doesn't then he's out. He has some speed, but I don't think he'll chance it. But we may see him go". You wonder why Keith Hernandez fell asleep in the booth this year doing a game? It was because he was listening to Darling babble... Jon Miller isn't bad, I enjoy him. Joe Morgan is OK, not nearly as bad as some of the others, not sure why he is hated so much. The sad thing is John Sterling use to be good when he had good partners. I think Waldman has really brought him down. The Yankees have some decent announcers, depending on who is doing the game on YES. Michael Kay and Al Leiter I enjoy, as I do Kay and O'Neill. But Ken Singleton has gotten really bad over the years and I don't enjoy Flaherty at all. When it is Singleton and Flaherty together, it is a total snooze fest.

10-22-2010, 01:49 PM	#31
Marinersfan51 All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 777	Part of the bad broadcasting in the postseason is because they use broadcasters who are for other sports, not baseball. The only games they call all year are in the postseason.

10-22-2010, 02:45 PM	#32
kingcharlesxii Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,731	Brian Anderson is the Brewers' PBP guy and he did some of the postseason games. I notice he's always much more reserved when he does a national broadcast, he likes to joke around a lot on the Brewers TV games. And of course, nothing compares to Uecker for an interesting broadcast. There are better broadcasters (Scully) but if you're looking for a little fun with your game, Uecker can't be beat.