Grade the Baseball Announcers

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Local

 

TV-Dick Bremer: F. Just horrible. Not only is he a homer, but he never questions anything the Twins do. He's a gopher and has no idea how to judge the length of fly ball. Worst of all he's always, putting down the other team, and questioning the manager.

 

Bert Blyleven: A-. Really knows his stuff. Can be a company at times, but he will say if someone doesn't do their jobs.

 

Paul Molitor:A. He did the A's-Twins last week on Fox, and was excellent. Really knew what he was talking about, and seemed very comfortable, and was able to analyze the game so it wouldn't go over people's head. If only Molitor and Blyleven was the announce team.

 

Radio-John Gordon: F. horrible. Never pays attention to the game, really can't tell what's going on with the game when your listening.

 

Dan Gladden: B+. He's good. Like Blyleven hurt by working with a buffoon. Acts how a fan should act. Exited when the team does something good, and upset if they don't.

 

Herb Carneal: A legend. In the broadcaster wing of the HOF. Sadly, it's time to retire. He just doesn't have it anymore. I just can't give Herb Carneal a grade. I'll just say for lifetime achievment he gets an A.

 

More later...

[Guest NoCalMike]

Local: Bill King A's/Raiders. Exellent, he has been doing it a long time, and he is great at calling the action. Makes it not so bad listening to radio broadcasts.

[Guest alkeiper]

Harry Kalas: A. Always informative, and simply a great voice to listen to.

[Guest MaxPower27]

Tampa:

 

DeWayne Staats: C. Has a decent voice, and is fairly knowledgable, but is a big mark for the Devil-Rays, and is generally wrong about a lot of things. Listening to his voice for more than 6 innings becomes a chore.

 

Joe McGrane: B+. I like him. He knows his stuff, has a laid back approach to calling the game, and can be quite funny at times.

 

Florida:

 

Tommy Hutton: B. Can be funny, and a good announcer overall.

 

Len Kasper: A. Very good color guy, knowledgable, and fucking hilarious for most of the game.

 

National:

 

(all ESPN guys)

 

Jon Miller: Kind of lost a step over the past few years, but still a very nice guy (you can tell just by listening to him), and still somewhat knows his stuff. B+

 

Joe Morgan: A. Great announcer, always on top of it, knows exactly what's going on and why.

 

Dave Strader: B. Pretty versatile announcer. They've stuck him at pro baseball games, the college world series, the odd hockey game, anything. He's a pretty good announcer with a generic voice, but what I like is that during slow parts, he acts as an interviewer and asks his color guy what he would do in the situation at hand. Keep in mind that he's usually paired with Tony Gwynn or Dave Justice or Rick Sutcliffe, and it's like watching a game and having a learning experience.

 

Rick Sutcliffe: I don't like his voice or the fact that he goes off on rants about things during the game. He knows his stuff, obviously, but I'm not watching a baseball game to get a retired pitcher's perspective on the Sosa incident. That's what Baseball Tonight is for. B-.

 

Jeff Brantley: One of my favorite ESPN announcers. Smart, funny, and always on top of the play. Rarely screws anything up. A-.

 

Dave Justice: Still new to the announcing thing, but so far has done well. He knows a lot of the players personally, so he can comment on small things about them that are entertaining at slow points. So far, I can only give him a C, but with more time, he'll become an A announcer.

 

Gary Thorne: Probably one of the best overall announcers on the network right now. I know him as the voice of ESPN Wednesday Night Hockey, but he tons a ton of Mets games, and they usually have him paired up with Justice for Wednesday Night Baseball. A.

 

Tony Gwynn: I like his voice, it's goofy, but he's smart, and can be entertaining with slow spots. A

 

Mike McFarlane: I don't get McFarlane a lot in my market, but when I do, I watch. Very smart, always tuned into the game. A

[Guest CanadianChris]

Toronto:

 

Radio:

 

Tom Cheek, B+. Solid announcer, been around forever.

 

Jerry Howarth, B+. Also solid. Also been around forever. These guys do good work, which is a good thing when you have...

 

TV:

 

Rob Faulds (Sportsnet), D. This guy just annoys the hell out of me. Talks when he shouldn't a lot of the time, and really doesn't know what he's talking about more often than not.

 

John Cerutti (Sportsnet): F. He has the dreaded disease of verbal diarrhea. Talks just to hear his own voice, will continue to bring up plays that happened four innings ago and he's already mentioned a dozen times, steps on the play-by-play guy a lot...just horrible. With the departure of Joe Carter, he is the worst Jays announcer hands down.

 

Vic Rauter (TSN), B-. Not bad, but his voice can get annoying at times.

 

Pat Tabler (TSN), B. He's pretty good, definitely the best of the TV guys.

 

Of course we were spoiled for YEARS here with the equally stellar TSN announce teams of Jim Hughson and Buck Martinez, and later Dan Shulman and Martinez. Shulman is easily the best announcer ESPN has right now.

[Guest starvenger]

Of course we were spoiled for YEARS here with the equally stellar TSN announce teams of Jim Hughson and Buck Martinez, and later Dan Shulman and Martinez. Shulman is easily the best announcer ESPN has right now.

I think that Shulman and Martinez are teamed up on ESPN right now, but I'm not 100% sure on that one...

[Guest cpac]

Local.

 

Suzyn Waldman- A PLUS. First woman ever to announce yankee games. Real Yankee homer. From boston, was a red sox fan and now a yankees fan. She is one of Steinbrenner's personal favorites. She is so great that they took her off of announcing and put her in the locker room to do interviews.

 

John Sterling- A PLUS. Nothing beats hearing him orgasm when he shouts. THE YANKEES WIN THHHHEEEEEEEEEEEE YYYYYYYAAAAAANNNNNNKKKKKKKKKEEEEEESSSSSSSSS WIN.

[Guest Kingpk]

TV:

 

Jerry Remy (A+) - Just a damn funny, informative guy. Seems like he enjoys himself in the booth, and that's always good in an announcer. He's been on a few FOX national broadcasts (involving the Sox).

 

Don Orscillo ( - Just kind of there. This is his 3rd year as the NESN PBP guy, but he's improved from his first season quite a bit. When he gets excited, his voice jumps about 10 octaves, though.

 

Sean McDonough (A) - One of the best PBP guys out there. When you're dad is Will McDonough, you know there was some talent passed down to you. Pretty versatile, too; he does the College World Series and college football games also.

 

Radio:

 

Jerry Trupiano and Joe Castiglione (B) - I don't listen to the radio call as much as the TV, but they have been working together for a while and have a good chemistry. Plus, Joe has his trademark "WAYBACK WAAAAAAAYBACK" call.

Edited July 25, 2003 by Kingpk

[Guest alkeiper]

Suzyn Waldman- A PLUS. First woman ever to announce yankee games. Real Yankee homer. From boston, was a red sox fan and now a yankees fan. She is one of Steinbrenner's personal favorites. She is so great that they took her off of announcing and put her in the locker room to do interviews.

 

John Sterling- A PLUS. Nothing beats hearing him orgasm when he shouts. THE YANKEES WIN THHHHEEEEEEEEEEEE YYYYYYYAAAAAANNNNNNKKKKKKKKKEEEEEESSSSSSSSS WIN.

 

Ugh. Sterling is disgusting to listen to when he does that. Waldman I hate not because of her announcing, but because of her voice. What she says is fine, but I just find that accent annoying.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

I'm not an Astros fan in the least, but since I'm stuck with them on the TV/radio more than anyone, I'll grade their announcers:

 

Radio:

 

Milo Hamilton - Ugh...please retire. Shameless homer, NEVER criticizes the Astros, and very rarely gives credit when it's due to the other team. Incessantly whines when the Astros don't get key calls (even if video replays obviously prove him wrong) and just isn't that interesting to listen to.

 

Alan Ashby - Not bad; I prefer when he's alone in the booth in the 4th/5th innings. A little too rah-rah "Astros rule!" at times, but generally gives some good color commentary.

 

TV:

 

Bill Brown - Kind of boring, standard play-by-play guy. Rarely gets excited about anything. Average guy.

 

Jim Deshaises - Hilarious to listen to. Always telling stories or making a snide remark, all while providing some good commentary AND without being a blatant homer. I enjoy his work.

[Guest cartman]

I gotta go ahead and go against the grain here and rip Sean Mcdonough here. I can't stand watching Friday Night Red Sox games because listening to this guy and his Inane Banter all night drives me up a wall. I think Remy and DO have WAY more chemistry together honestly. DO isn't the best out there but he sure as hell beats Mcdonough in MY opinion.

 

Not to mention Sean ONLY has jobs like he has because his dad was Will Mcdonough.

[Guest alkeiper]

Jim Deshaises - Hilarious to listen to. Always telling stories or making a snide remark, all while providing some good commentary AND without being a blatant homer. I enjoy his work.

 

I remember DeShaises' HOF campaign a few years ago. Funny, funny stuff.

[Guest meanmaisch]

Philadelphia:

 

Harry Kalas- Simply the best ever in Philadelphia. Intelligent, has a great sense of humor, and has a great voice. A

 

Chris Wheeler- Ugh. Knows a lot about the game, but never shuts up and constantly needs to hear himself talk. Very annoying. D-

 

Larry Andersen- Dry and relaxed, but knows his stuff and can be very funny as well. B+

 

John Kruk- Can be funny as well, but comes off as cantankerous and a bit of a homer. Finds it hard to be critical of the Phillies. B-

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Whatever happened to Joe Carter. He was with the Cubs, and than Steve Stone came back.

 

ESPN-Jon Miller. Still very good. Not has sharpe has he used to be.

 

Joe Morgan-I like him better than I used to. Know it seems like he's having fun doing games. Before he tended to be too serious.

 

Dave Campell-my favorite color man in the business. Doesn't do Baseball Tonight much anymore though.

 

Rick Sutclife-just horrible. He's nothing but an asskisser and is always there with an excuse. Looking for a tired cliched excuse, Sutcliffe is full of those.

 

Chris Berman-Berman and Sutcliffe would make a nightmare broadcast team. The number asses those two would kiss would fill a large stadium.

 

Joe Buck-IMO. The best play by play man in the game.

 

Tim McCarver-at this point he's ok. not horrible, not good.

 

Rex Hudler-can be a little too rah rah. But enjoys what he does, and at least knows what's going on.

 

Steve Lyons-a clueless putz. It doesn't seem like he even prepares for a game. Last years Twins-Angels ALCS he was lost, and didn't seem to know a thing about either team.

 

Baseball Tonight: Karl Ravech-pretty good anchor. Knows his job, and that's a huge plus.

 

Trey Wingo-had to include him. I can't stand the guy. Just comes off has very smug. He also messes up on numbers, and stats.

 

Harold Reynolds. Improved. More critical, seems to be more honest.

 

Peter Gammons-besides the hardon for certain teams, he's not bad. Will rip on the Umps, which is plus in my book.

 

Bobby Valentine-at first I didn't like him. He's grown on me. Not afraid to criticize someone. Alot of times former managers won't because they want to manage again.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Chicago

 

Ron Santo : F

 

Chip Carey : F

 

Darrin Jackson : F-

 

Thanks Vern, I almost forgot about Joe Carter : F-

[Guest DerangedHermit]

Mets Announcers

 

Ted Robinson: A- (Fox Sports NY, MSG, radio)

Quite low-key, but I love his style of PBP.

 

Howie Rose: B (Fox Sports NY, MSG, radio)

Could get annoying at times but when he isn't, he's good. "PUT IT IN THE BOOKS!". He makes a game feel important.

 

Fran Healy: D (Fox Sports NY, MSG)

Teh sux0rs. If I hear him say "offensively and defensively" one more time, I'll chuck a rock at my TV.

 

Keith Hernandez: B (Fox Sports NY, MSG, occcasionally WPIX)

Last year, he was so frickin' awesome. Speaks the truth, not a homer at all.

 

Tom Seaver: C (WPIX)

"crusty ol' vet-trin...."

 

Dave O'Brien: B (WPIX)

A poor man's Gary Thorne, who left last year. Since I like Gary Thorne, this guy isn't too bad.

 

Ralph Kiner: A (occasionally on WPIX, rarely on Fox Sports NY and MSG)

Not so much now, but awesome in the past. His slips on the air are things of legends.

 

Bob Murphy: A (radio)

Even though he wasn't like he was in the past, he is still an awesome announcer. May retire after this year, which would suck.

 

Gary Cohen: A+ (radio)

He's great to listen to. Best home run call and the best announcer right now in the city. Not a homer, either, which is more icing on the already iced cake.

Edited July 25, 2003 by DerangedHermit

[Guest CanadianChris]

I remember DeShaises' HOF campaign a few years ago. Funny, funny stuff.

And he got a vote, too! You're right, that was funny, especially with Jayson Stark pimping him in his ESPN.com columns every chance he got.

 

Whatever happened to Joe Carter. He was with the Cubs, and than Steve Stone came back.

 

I'm fairly sure he went to Kansas City, but I'm not positive.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Kansas City

 

Radio (KMBZ)

 

Denny Matthews (B+) - been with the team since 1969. Good commentator, sounds a bit tired at times

 

Ryan LeFarbe (sp?) (C+) - Much younger, makes up nicknames

 

Fred White (A-) - Semi-retired, still shows up from time to time, good commentator, better chemistry with Ryan

 

Television-

 

Paul Splittorff (B) - Knows what he's talking about.

 

Bob Davis (C-) - Predicts home runs too much, not that good.

 

-----

 

As for ESPN guys

 

Brantley and Sutcliffe are both morons.

[Guest Mad the Swine]

Atlanta

 

Skip Caray: A. Witty, works well with everybody. Definitely knows the game. Even better on the radio where he'll tell more stories and be more honest about everything.

 

Joe Simpson: A. He really knows the game. He's more of a commentator than a play-by-play man. I wish he'd tell more stories, especially since he came up with some of the funniest and wildest players to ever exist, the Dodgers.

 

Pete Van Wieren: A+. Also works will with everybody. Not as funny as Skip or Joe, but he's a virtual encyclopedia.

 

Don Sutton: B-. Sometimes he's funny, sometimes he's annoying. Mediocre at play-by-play.

 

Ernie Johnson (special occasions): A+. When he originally retired, he drew a sellout crowd in Atlanta Stadium. In 1990.

 

Bob Rathbun (Fox): C. Not good at all.

 

Tom Paciorek (Fox): B. He's got good potential, but he needs a better partner than Rathbun. Tells some pretty funny stories.

 

National

 

Jon Miller: C. I can't stand the guy. Too excited about everything and talks too much. I don't how to explain it, but he really annoys me when he handles baseball history - he sells listeners short with it.

 

Joe Morgan: B+. I enjoy listening to him and would listen more if Miller weren't his partner.

 

Dave Justice: C. Does he ever stop talking? Thinks pretty highly of himself, too.

 

Bobby Valentine: D. Egotistical. He underwhelms me with his intelligence.

[Rendclaw 0]

Tony Gwynn can make a dissertation on the status of the Oort Cloud in our solar system entertaining. First time I heard him on Jim Rome telling a Rickey Henderson story I about crashed my delivery van, I was laughing so hard.

 

Joe Morgan is *the* man when it comes to breaking down a play, what happened, and why it did/didn't work and explaining it in layman's terms. Jon Miller, though I have to agree has kind of lost something over the last couple of years, is still the best counterpart for him.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Wimpy Paciorek used to do White Sox games with Hawk Harrelson. I was wondering what happened to him.

[Guest Grand Slam]

We are blessed here in Reds country with simply one of the finest radio teams ever. Our TV guys are pretty good compared to games I have watched in other cities while travelling, but I always turn doen the TV and turn on the radio when watching a game on TV.

 

Marty Brennaman: Inducted into the Hall of Fame a few years ago, and deserved it big time. One of the best ever. A homer, in that he obviously roots for the Reds, but isn't afraid to call it like it is. Listening to the game yesterday after they had fired Boone and Bowden was an expierience. And no Reds victory seems complete without hearing "And this one belongs to the Reds!"

 

Joe Nuxhall: Getting older, but he is a font of stories and knowledge. Next year he will be a part-time announcer and I will miss his voice on the radio. How well loved is he by the City of Cincinnati? Not only is there a statue of him outside the stadium, not only was "Marty and Joe Bobblehead Night" a massive sell-out, but his signature sign-off "This is the old left-hander rounding third and heading for home" is on the outside of the new ballpark in giant red neon letters. Need I say more?

[LooseCannon25 0]

Local NY:

 

Keith Hernandez: Good announcer who knows the strategy and whats going on, but doesnt have too much excitement in his voice or much charisma. Still watchable though.

 

Tom Seaver: Another guy who knows his stuff, but can be a little too hard sometimes on players and makes some bonehead calls sometimes.

 

Tom Robinson: Great announcer, knows everything, good voice and excitement.

 

Gary Thorne: Thank god he's gone....Good in hockey but absolutely sucked calling Met games.

 

Susan Waltman: I've heard her for a loooong time since she was at WFAN 660 radio. I never did like her to much and feel she's very biased for the Yankees.

 

Bob Sterling: Pretty good announcing sometimes, but is TOO TOO over the top and extremely biased. His annoying "Yankees win....thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeee yankeeeeeeeeeeeeees wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin" and "The big Giambino" and "Bernie goes Boooom" is fuckin ridiculous and unbearable.

 

Now, for those in the NY area that actually listen to WFAN 660 I would like to know who are your favorite talk show personalites, and who you like the least. Here's mine

 

Favorite --- Joe Benigno, Sid Rosenberg

 

Least --- Mike Francessa, Chris Russo

[Guest Bruiser Chong]

What's so bad about Chip Caray? I don't think he's great or anything, but he shows a great interest in the Cubs which is more than you can say for a lot of announcers for certain clubs. Could be that I'm somewhat biased because I'm a Cubs fan, but still, I dig the emotion he and the other Cubs announcers always put into the game. Speaking of Stone, why did he come back? Carter was pretty green, but I enjoyed his commentary even though others hated him.

[Guest Deebo]

DODGERS -

 

Vin Scully: Best ever, IMO. You can just sit back and watch the game and never get tired of hearing him talk. A+

 

Ross Porter and Rick Monday: Radio guys, they're ok. Not really much to say about them, they're kind of just there. B

 

ANGELS -

 

Steve Physioc(think I spelled that wrong): Don't like him at all, he's a major homer and doesn't really give credit to anyone except the Angels. D

 

Rex Hudler: Seems to annoy a lot of people, but I like him. He really loves the game of baseball and is always very enthusiastic during games. Always has a very positive attitude too. Not a homer either. A

 

I hear the Angels have a great radio guy, but I've never heard them on the radio

[Guest Some Guy]

Boston

 

Jerry Remy: (A+), He's honestly the best color man I've ever heard. He knows the players, he knows the game (he tells you what will happen before it does and why it will happen), plus he's pretty funny (the guy carries a Wally "The Green Monster" [the SOx dunbass mascot] Beenie Baby to every game andn then makes up ridiculous stories about Wally's nights out on the town and such. Remy does like 150 games a year and seems to enjoy all of them. Long extra inning games are fun because of his odd sense of humor. The humor doesn't come through when he does the Fox saturday games.

 

Don Orcillo: (B), He's improved greatly from his incredibly flat calling of Hideo Nomo's no hitter a few years ago. Plus he sits and takes Remy's insults and puts up with all the Wally stuff and sells it well. He also seldom gets things wrong and seems to enjoy the games. He's a local guy, as is Remy.

 

Sean McDonough: (B) I used to really like him but a big contract dispute in the off season and only doing about 1 or 2 games a week on Fridays and sometimes Sundays has caused him to really phone it in. He, like his journalist father are/were (his dad dies this year) very critical of the managment.

 

The radio guys: (A-) They both have annoying voices but are very knowedgable and don't make mistakes. When you listen you can see what's happening and that's all you can ask of radio guys.

 

National

 

Tim McCarver: ( He's to arrogant and his "Mr. Know-it-all act gets tired. He thinks he's smarter than he really is.

 

Joe Buck: (B+) I like the guy. He does a pretty good job on the Fox National games and Playoffs.

 

Sidenote: I can't figure out why these two are paired, they don't seem to like each other and have very little chemistry.

 

Joe Morgan: (D-) I hate this guy. He adds nothing to the games besides stating the painfully obvious. "That's a little cutter right there: See that? See that? It's a little cutter and (whoever) grounded it to short. See that? See that? The SS rounded the ball, took it out of his glove and threw it to first. See that? Right here (no doubt points to his moniter in the booth where no fan can see.) I think he's an idiot.

 

Jon Miller: (B) Outside of desperatley needing a new hair cut he's OK.

 

Rick Sutcliffe: (C+) He's nothing special but I was relieved that I got him instead of Morgan for Sundays game.

 

Tony Gwinn: (B) I haven't heard much of him but he seemed to know his shit.

 

David Justice: ( Has done pretty well for his first year.

 

[/b]BaseBall Tonight[/b]

 

Reynolds: ( Too apologetic for player fuck ups on and off the field. He seems almost afraid to lose friends.

 

Valentine: ( Sometimes he really doesn't know what he's talking about. After the Hillenbrand/Kim trade he panned Shea, all the the while calling him "Sean" and most likely never having seen him play, the SOx hadn't played the Mets in Shea's career. If you don't know what you're talking baout you should shut up.

 

Gammons: He's losing it but he still knows the game. I hear him a lot on the local sports station as well and they treat him like a Baseball God. That can get a little tiring.

 

Dave Cambel: (A) I really like the guy. He's a good radio and TV color man and he's great on the show.

[Guest undisputedjericho]

New York Local Yokels

 

TV

Michael Kay B: I'm a huge mark for the guy. Used to be on radio, now on TV. Funny & informative. Knows pretty much everything going on in the game you're watching and out of market games.

 

Bobby Murcer B+: Same as Kay, former player

 

Ken Singleton B+: On top of everthing the hitters do, same as Murcer. Plus I met him once and he's really cool.

 

Jim Kaat: A-: The foil for Murcer & Singleton, this guy knows everything you need about pitching.

 

Paul O'Niell: C+: Give him time, he'll be good. He doesn't do alot of games, seems he only does it when the Yankees are in Ohio, his homestate.

 

Suzyn Waldman A: I like her alot. Really knows her stuff.

 

Radio

 

John Sterling A: The God of Yankee announcing with his over the topness, previously documented. He really gets you into the game and makes it all the more exciting and dramatic. Only Yankee fans can appreciate him.

 

Charley Stiener B: The opposite of Sterling, you almost don't even know he's there sometimes, but very insightful and can get very into it himself.

 

PA

 

Bob Sheppard A+: I'm convinced he has the voice of God. For 50 years he's been announcing Yankee and Gaints games. You know him, you love him.

 

And for the WFAN question nobody answered yet:

 

WFAN

 

Best: Adam Schien, Sid Rosenberg, Jody McDonald, Chris Carlin

 

Worst: Steve Sommers, Joe Benigno, Anne Ligouri, Chris Russo (He actually stuck up for Bonds in the whole Babe Ruth fiasco, which puts him over the hump as bad in my book)

[Guest Vern Gagne]

What's so bad about Chip Caray? I don't think he's great or anything, but he shows a great interest in the Cubs which is more than you can say for a lot of announcers for certain clubs. Could be that I'm somewhat biased because I'm a Cubs fan, but still, I dig the emotion he and the other Cubs announcers always put into the game. Speaking of Stone, why did he come back? Carter was pretty green, but I enjoyed his commentary even though others hated him.

My problem with Caray is he never questions Dusty Baker. He'll get on the players, but Baker seems immune to criticism.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Rick Sutcliffe: (C+) He's nothing special but I was relieved that I got him instead of Morgan for Sundays game.

To each his own. Except in this case. C+ is being way to kind to this worthless hack. He kisses everyone's ass. He's got excuses for every bad play someone makes. He was praising Raul Mondesi, about running down a flyball ,and how great it would be to have a player has great as Mondesi hitting 9th. Let's just forget about how overrated a player he is, and how much trouble he's caused. Rick Sutcliffe serves no purpose in the broadcast booth.

[Guest Some Guy]

He's still better than Joe Morgan. That guy is a total retard. You;d think that after playing the game for a few decades, becoming a Hall of Famer, and Broadcasting for 15 years or so, he'd actually know the game and be able to articulate about it. I already posted my problems with Moragn. Basically anyone is better and since Sutcliffe replaced him for a game he gets a decent grade by default.