Radio team unimproved.

[AZZenny]

Schulte will once again team this season with Ken Phelps on Diamondbacks radio broadcasts, originating in Phoenix on KTAR (620 AM). Phelps is in his second season as radio analyst. Brennaman, also a member of the Diamondbacks broadcast team since the club's inception in 1998, returns as play-by-play announcer for Diamondbacks telecasts on the Diamondbacks Television Network, seen in Phoenix on NewsChannel 3, as well as FSN Arizona. Brennaman will be joined by former Diamondback Mark Grace, who returns for his second season as television analyst.

Well, THAT sucks. Phelps is just AWFUL - he is darn near unlistenable. Repetitive, obvious, pedantic, dullwitted, and a flat drone.

Of course, I doubt the head honchos ever listen to the radio broadcasts.

 

[Lefty]

I don't care about Phelps, I'm pissed that Grace is back. Grace sucks as an announcer, period! Bring back Traber because he is 100% better than Grace.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Phelps and Grace suck...

 

[The Commish]

Traber is an idiot too. Rod Allen and Bob Brenly were by far the best analysts the D-Backs have had.

 

[Ryanwb]

Traber is an idiot too. Rod Allen and Bob Brenly were by far the best analysts the D-Backs have had.

I agree....

I really dislike Grace, but I think he improved at the end of the season. Phelps just sucks bad and got worse. Traber used to make fun of his playing days, Phelps talks as if he is a first ballot HOF'er. Also, Jeff Mund treats the booth like he is calling the names at the Suns arena like he used to do, he is far too stiff. Well see how Grace is this year, I think he has the tools to be good, he just needs to learn

 

[BC867]

Jeff Mund treats the booth like he is calling the names at the Suns arena like he used to do, he is far too stiff.

Vin Scully has been "stiff" announcing Dodgers games for almost 55 years and he is Hall of Fame play-by-play material.

If Jeff is allowed to call games regularly, rather than having to return to field announcing from Sunday to Thursday, I believe he'd follow in Vinnie's footsteps.

He has the same pleasing voice. He has a surprisingly good knowledge of baseball history, considering his background as Suns courtside announcer.

I'd like to see him become radio play-by-play announcer on a regular basis, and move Greg Schulte to color. Ultimately move Jeff to TV play-by-play when Thom moves on.

Color is what Greg does anyway. He ooohs and aaahs while the play is going on, then describes what happened afterwards. That's not play-by-play. That's color commentating.

 

[moviegeekjn]

Well, THAT sucks. Phelps is just AWFUL - he is darn near unlistenable. Repetitive, obvious, pedantic, dullwitted, and a flat drone.

I would echo your sentiments, but THAT would be redundant... Phelps is the most banal I've EVER heard anywhere. He is the master of stating the obvious.

A couple of classics from last season that had my eyes rolling up inside my head when Phelps was asked for his pre-game analysis:

"Diamondbacks need to score early and hold them."

"Diamondbacks need to win"

 

[minercon]

I would rather have Grace in the booth than manager of the team...although he is/would be bad at both. Matt Williams has a maturity about him that may be good as an announcer if they would try him out. They always seem to have an in immature former player doing the color commentary. The best so far has been Brenly.

 

[BC867]

Phelps is the most banal I've EVER heard anywhere. He is the master of stating the obvious.

And his uninspired use of nicknames wears on us. Over and over.

At least, was it Chris Berman on ESPN who had some originality with ones like Bert-Be-Home-Blyleven. Even those wore thin after the first year.

 

[Mulli]

I know this is a thread on the radio team, but what about Thom B? I have never liked him. I cannot stand him. He seems to constantly try to make his voice sound deeper than it is. He pronounces the word "five" with extra emphasis for no reason. He just bugs.


Ugh, I know this is a rant, but wasn't he supposed to go back to the Cubs.

 

[Cland]

Ugh, I know this is a rant, but wasn't he supposed to go back to the Cubs.

I heard the Cubs were interested but I thought he turned them down. He said he was happy in AZ. Personally, I like Thom. He took a couple years to grow on me though.

I wish we would have made a run a Steve Stone who was available. That would have been a huge improvement over Grace.