Letter To The Editor

[WizardOfAz]

I saw this in the paper.....


No Cheering On TV

What a pleasure it was to watch the D-Backs beat the Dodgers on July 6 on ESPN with two professional commentators, Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. I retired to Sun City West from Cleveland and am trying to become a D-Backs fan. It is difficult when most of the TV games are covered by "cheer-leaders". They should listen to Mel Allen and Vin Scully tapes. The only way you can tell who they are for is a slight inflection in their voice.

Robert L. Miller
Sun City West


AZ Republic, Page C17
7/19/2003

 

[AzKarl]

I sort of agree with you

Sculley is the best but the homerism comes from the fact that Brenneman is an employee of the D-Backs. I'd guess Vin and others work for a station or network.

You should not let who the announcers are dictate whether you are a D-Backs fan. Why should that have anything to do with rooting for the D-Backs?

 

[schillingfan]

That is wierd to say the least. Virtually every team's announcers are homers. They work for the team and it's their goal to promote the product of their employer.

the announcers travel with the team to all the games, stay in the same hotels, eat with the team members, etc. I would expect them to like and care about guys they spend a lot of time with. Most color guys are former players, not professional broadcasters, so they will react like players.

Most importantly, for local broadcasts the vast majority of listeners are fans of that team. Why in the world would they want neutral broadcasters?????? Gosh game winning calls like walk-off hits and homeruns are really more exciting when the announcer actually cares. I remember hearing Schulte's call of Gonzo's game winning hit off Rivera and he was pretty hyped. It's all good!!!

 

[PDXChris]

I guess the SUn City guy has never listened to Chip Carey, no only is he a homer, but he is a homer with a whinney voice, thank god Steve Stone came back to try to keep him in check. I do enjoy listening to hometown homers when I watch games. Ever listen Ron Santos WGN radio. I is so passionate, that get more into the game. As for Thom, he was great in Chicago, but I think he has lost something since coming to Phoenix, but he has the best voice in the buisness in my opinion.

 

[WizardOfAz]

I am sitting here listening to Brennaman bitch about the umpires in the top of the first inning and I remember how much I enjoyed listening to Harry Kalas the times I have been in Philly.

 

[schillingfan]

Harry is theeeeeeeeeeee best.

 

[moviegeekjn]

Originally posted by schillingfan
Harry is theeeeeeeeeeee best.

You say the name "Harry" and the first baseball image that comes to mind is Harry Caray--he was the best!

 

[WizardOfAz]

Originally posted by schillingfan
Harry is theeeeeeeeeeee best.

I love going to Philly during baseball season and finding him on the car radio.

 

[devilalum]

How about Tommy Heinson?

 

[Mojo]

Hey i like Tommy B, but he is getting kind of annoying this year. He seems to be being even more of a homer this year, maybe its just the way the year has gone, I still think he is one of the best.

 

[WizardOfAz]

Originally posted by Mojo
Hey i like Tommy B, but he is getting kind of annoying this year. He seems to be being even more of a homer this year,

Watching tonight's game and Lyons just lit him up. Brenneman was complaining about the called third strike on Junior and Lyons cut him off and said, "I know you're rooting for the boys, but that was a great pitch".

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I grew-up w/in the Metro-Detroit area and was spoiled by the sheer professionalism and sage wisdom of the legendary HOF broadcaster of the Tigers, Ernie Harwell.... It's unfortunate that he retired last season, but forever will remain an icon. I was priviliged enough to attend the 6/16/02 vs the Tigers here at the BOB when Harwell threw out the ceremonial first pitch....

 

[WizardOfAz]

Ernie was a good one....enjoyed his work with Paul Carey.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Originally posted by WizardOfAz
Ernie was a good one....enjoyed his work with Paul Carey.

I assume you grew-up in or around the Detroit area. Were you still there around '91 when Ernie was fired and Paul was forced into early retirement and WJR brought-in those 2 frauds, Rick Rizzs and Bob Rathbun as their replacements? That definitely was the worst! Glad that Tiger's owner Mike Ilitch had enough sense to immediately rehire Ernie a couple years later....

 

[unc84steve]

In one of Bill James "Baseball Books" he did a brief biography of Mel Allen and noted that this long-time Yankees announcer was the founder of one strain of baseball announcing distinct from Brooklyn's Red Barber. James said that Allen "was an unabashed fan, spontaneous, prizing his enthusiasiasms, glorifying his team." Meanwhile, "Barber considered himself a journalist, was lyrical but forced and somewhat stiff, and thought it a cardinal sin to root for the home team in any way shape or form."

James said that "Harry Caray is the last of the Mel Allen school still broadcasting regularly, a group that once included Bob Prince, Lindsay Nelson & Dizzy Dean." James said he learned much Harry Caray's Cardinal telecasts and enjoyed getting to hear him on the Cubs cable mid 1980s revival.

p.s. Harry Kalas was amusing to hear announce the Phillies 9-run inning on WGN as a guest announcer of Steve Stone

 

[SunCityCarl]

Harry Caray & Jimmy Piersall in the mid to late 70's on the South Side of Chicago on Channel 44!! Just ripping on Tony Larussa every chance they got!! (LOL) Thanks for reminding me about that! Tell it like it is if Womack was sucking Thom should say something!! When he did he apologized & that hurt his integrity. The fact Tony is in Colorado though shows he was probably OK with his comments.