YOUR FAVORITE BASEBALL ANNOUNCER

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:02 am

As we wait for our last drafts to come and go and these last 10 Days of the off season to tick away, I am starting to get excited to listen to some baseball games!

Everybody who LOVES baseball has a favorite baseball announcer and a reason why! Here is a spot to tell us your story about how your favorite baseball announcer walked into your life through the car radio or your tv!

I will go first!

Harry Caray - Chicago Cubs 1982 - 1997

I know, I know... he was an announcer for other teams before he joined my beloved Cubbies, but this is my turn

!

Growing up in Wisconsin in the mid to late 1980's we didn't get to enjoy most Brewers Games on TV, because they were blacked out! However, my family got a cable package in 1987 that included Chicago's WGN and the rest as they say is history! I loved baseball and getting to watch some on TV was the best. For the next 5 or 6 summers, I made it a point to catch as many games on WGN as my mom would allow. I would lay on the floor in the family room with all of my baseball cards, and just sort and re sort them as the innings ticked away. Harry Carry and Steve Stone came rolling into my life via WGN and turned me into a die hard Cubbies fan for life! Dawson, Sandberg, Dunstin, Maddux, Sutcliff, Grace, Mitch Williams (I was at a game against the Mets one time where he hit a HR!), ROY Jerome Walton, etc.. etc... Even Goose Gossage made it into the fold for a summer!

I always loved how Harry would wear the emotions of the game on his sleeve and said what the rest of us were thinking. In the summer of 1988, my parents brought my brother, sister, and I to a Cubs game as a surprise after picking us up at O'Hare Airport from a trip to see our aunt in CA!

Our tickets were litterly just underneath the booth and I can still remember Harry hanging out of the booth singing 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game'! The fact that Andre Dawson went 4-5 that day with a pair of HR's helped seal the deal with him and I too, but that is for another day!

Harry Carry was a fan of the game of baseball and a fans announcer. Today more than even, I love to just listen to games on the radio via the MLB Gameday Audio. Doesn't have to be my team (heck with how bad the Cubs have been, I prefer if its not most days

) but just to listen to baseball is one of my special spots here on earth.

To me, Harry Caray will always be part of the reason I LOVE BASEBALL!

[ March 21, 2011, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: WINSTON'S EMPIRE ]

pancho11 · Post by **pancho11** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:23 am

Gary Keith & Ron!

The mets may be awful but they at least do a great job of entertaining for 3 hours

Paul Gromek · Post by **Paul Gromek** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:33 am

HE GONE!

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:34 am

Originally posted by Paul Gromek:

HE GONE! Thats so good! No need to explain!

mlbbug · Post by **mlbbug** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:44 am

Here's my entry for best baseball announcer.

Mel Allen- New York Yankees 1939-1964

New York Giants 1939-1943

This Week in baseball 1977-1996

Mel Allen did baseball broadcasts for both the New York Yankees and the New York Giants from 1939-1943 on radio. He was able to handle both teams since,at that time, only home games were broadcast.With the two teams playing across the river from each other,neither team played at home at the same time.

He went into the Army in 1943 and upon his return resumed broadcasting Yankee games but dropped the Giants job.Allen was a mentor for a young Curt Gowdy in 1949-1950 and when TV came along he did double duty on both TV and radio. He would do 3 inning on TV,move to the radio for 3 innings and finish up back on the TV side. he was summarily fired by the Yankees in 1964(some said it was pressure from longtime sponsor, Ballantine beer). Later in his career,he became the first host of the syndicated highlight show "This Week in Baseball" from 1977 to his death in 1996.

I'll always remember him for his signature HR call: "that one is going,going,gone" or "How about that"

Rich McCormick

Astoria,NY

"Don't look back,something might be gaining on you" --- Satchel Paige

Oaktown · Post by **Oaktown** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:46 am

I think we all love the one we grew up listening to. No one will ever top Bill King to me, he was great and did 3 different sports. Holy Toledo!

Although, living in LA now, I have grown to love Vin and turning on a game and hearing his voice just feels right.

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:57 am

Originally posted by Oaktown:

I think we all love the one we grew up listening to. No one will ever top Bill King to me, he was great and did 3 different sports. Holy Toledo!

Although, living in LA now, I have grown to love Vin and turning on a game and hearing his voice just feels right. Will agree that Vin Scully is the gold standard today... His voice and tone was made for baseball games! The fact that he like Harry Carry did both TV and Radio is great!

JohnP · Post by **JohnP** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:58 am

Here is a vote for Bob Uecker. We didn't have TV at my house growing up until I was 16 and spent many a night listening to Brewer games on the radio. I still try to catch a Uecker broadcast whenever I can. Check out some of his quotes at:

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/quotes/quouec.shtml

devilznj · Post by **devilznj** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:19 am

Bob Murphy, Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Kiner.

Always looked forward to Murph's "happy recap" and the award winning hokey Kiner's Korner.

Beats anything out there today....

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:35 am

I agree with the previous poster, that the one you grew up with will always hold a special place.

R.I.P. - Herb Score.

That said - you gotta hand it to Phil Rizzuto. The man was "a poet and he didn't even know it". He was a classic and so was listening to him on WPIX on an old B&W TV back in college. And I wasn't even a Yankee fan.

[ March 21, 2011, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: Ryan C ]

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:36 am

Duane Kuiper & Mike Krukow have become my fave's. They explain the inner workings of the game and still manage to remember that it is suppose to be fun. They make sure to squeeze some humor into the broadcast by picking on some of the fans in a lighthearted manner.

My favorite line is when a foul ball goes screaming into one of the dugouts and they

call it an Ugly Finder! Classic

Ryan C · Post by **Ryan C** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:42 am

Love Kuiper and agree he does a great job.

Still remember the game he hit his only ML homer> I think it was in 1977 or so. I just remember being there in old Municipal Stadium in the General Admission seats down the RF line. The place was half empty and we were banging the old wooden seats like crazy as Kuiper rounded the bases for the only time in his career.

Doctor Who · Post by **Doctor Who** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:54 am

Len and bob for the cubs now are very entertaining. Informative, funny, and always getting fans involved.

Vin scully, is just plain and simple the voice of baseball.

I also think Jim deshaies and bill brown for the Astros are very underrated. Those of u that get the MLB package, listen to them and u will find them to be pretty good overall.

The Rockies guys are very funny too.

Last year, I just know the San Diego guys aren't very good at all.

Likewhat17 · Post by **Likewhat17** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:33 am

Can't believe that this thread has gone on so long without his mention, so I decided to throw it in..

In my mind, Ernie Harwell will always be the best

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:45 am

I like Ken Korach here in the Bay Area. Was never much of a Bill King guy.

Vin Skully is the best all time.

Cotton1 · Post by **Cotton1** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:59 am

For my money, it's Marty Brenneman...My first memories of listening to baseball games on radio were of the big red machine in 1975 as a ten-year old. For all I knew he had been there for 20 years, little did I know he was only in his second year and I have had a lifetime of listening to him and Joe "I have no idea what's coming out of my mouth next" Nuxhall. Ahhh, the memories of youth. As I have gotten older I the lustre of his position has worn a little bit, and the very public feuds he has had with Rose and especially Johnny Bench have hurt as well. Having said that, I've met him a few times and he was very gracious and nice to my kids as we discussed my recollection of the 75-76 world series. He's only done that 10,000 times and you wouldn't know it. Lastly, I love Vin Scully, but man he never stops talking!

chimpat · Post by **chimpat** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:01 am

Big Vin Scully fan (Dodger fan too but I think I'd love him either way).

More recent guys, really like Keith, Gary and Ron on the Mets broadcasts.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:02 am

But let's be honest; it's more fun to talk about the worst. It is difficult to be any worse than Hawk Harrelson, but the A's TV crew works hard at it. They are abominable. One time I was was watching the White Sox and Harrelson had Ray Fosse on as a guest. It was so bad I couldn't turn it off. It was by far the worst two innings I ever heard.

My favorite thing Fosse does, though, is when he explains strategy. "What the A's need to do today is score more runs and keep the other team off the board." Brilliant! "Baseball is all about hitting the ball and catching the ball. That's it." Great Ray!

"All right, Ray. What are the A's going to need to do to win today?"

"They'll need good hitting, good pitching, and good defense. That's all it'll take."

"Thanks for breaking it down, Ray."

Red Sox Nation- · Post by **Red Sox Nation-** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:13 am

Jerry Remy!

DiamondKing · Post by **DiamondKing** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:33 pm

John "Boog" Sciambi

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:01 pm

Doughboys? Would love to hear your story!

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:02 pm

Max, I was going to avoid this thread.

Most of the announcers mentioned in this thread are from days gone by. Even Uecker and Scully are more from the past, then present.

Todays broadcasters have become cookie cutters. They are not unique. They are not gregarious. They are not even fans, per se.

What they are is glib.

And in this politically correct world, Major League teams opt for smooth talkers over substance.

There job is just as much promoting the home team as it is about describing the play on the field. True, broadcasters from the past promoted home teams as well, but not with the slanted reporting that has become the norm for teams now.

We need only follow the Caray family tree to see what has become of broadcasting in Major League Baseball. Harry Carey was soooo entertaining. To listen to him for a few games was to fall in love with him and the Cubs. For a time during the 80's, especially in 1984, I would call in sick just for the express purpose of watching the Cubs. A team I had no rooting interest for. But, it was baseball. It was baseball the way baseball is supposed to be. Described by a guy who was just like you and me. A fellow who lived and died with the next pitch. A fellow who when bored, would try to say baseball players names backwards. A fellow who wasn't afraid to say, "He lost that ball in the sun! How could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"

His son, Skip, broadcasted for the Braves. Part of Ted Turners Superstation, the Braves became as lovable as the Cubs for awhile. Skip did a credible job and was on a great broadcasting team. Skip's style was not as outlandish as his father's, but he would still call them as he saw them. The Braves were revered, but the fans were also well informed if Atlanta stunk on the field.

Grandson Chip is todays broadcaster. He can fit in on any team. His voice is like another team's voice. Glib.

My favorite broadcaster was a lot like the others here, the voice I grew up with. Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons broadcasted Giants games from the time I was four and listening to baseball games till the time that I left the Bay Area.

Hodges was immortalized for his, "The Giants win the pennant!!!"

Hodges and Simmons put me in every ballpark and let me know exactly what was happening. Hodges signature call was "Bye Bye, Baby!" whenever a Giant hit a home run, and, "You can tell it good bye." when the opposition hit one.

Both Hodges and Simmons are in the Hall of Fame now.

I hesitated responding to this thread because we fans are losing our colorful broadcasters. Now, being 'colorful' is circling somebody with a telestrator, or making rhymes, or trying to make up as many catch phrases as possible such as an 'A-Bomb for A-Rod', which comes off as rehearsed rather than spontaneous.

I hesitated in responding, because it is baseball and the description of baseball can be a marvelous tool for the sport. But, slowly, baseball is losing that resource.

We live in a time of instant gratification. Games on radio will probably not exist in 20 years. We can 'follow' a game on a phone, computer, or even the bottom line on ESPN.

Newer generations have less and less time to devote to any one source of entertainment. Let alone pulling out a radio and listening to a ballgame for three hours.

I enjoy these games, because it is how I have always enjoyed these, games. Radio does not carry the same clout as it once did, and I am guessing soon, will go the way of printed materials, Both, victims of technology.

Mostly, I hesitated in answering, because I knew that I would be a little of a downer on this subject. But hey, like a good broadcaster from days gone by, I call them as I see them, even if it goes against my home town views.

Jim Christie · Post by **Jim Christie** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:00 pm

From the TV stand point, I loved Dizzy Dean; too bad someone thought his use of the English language wasn't suitable for national TV

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:14 am

Originally posted by Jim Christie:

From the TV stand point, I loved Dizzy Dean; too bad someone thought his use of the English language wasn't suitable for national TV He was colorful!

The 'ain'ts' and the score being 'nuthin to nuthin' was too much for the english teachers of America.

While pitching, he and his brother were one of the first players interviewed on 'moving pitchers'.

I don't remember the exact quote and am too lazy too look it up, but the boast went something like this-

Reporter- "Diz, how many games do you think you can win this year?"

Dizzy Dean (Looking at his brother, Paul)

"Well sir, I believe between my brother and me that we can win 45 games by ourselves!"

Paul Dean: "Thats right, Diz. You win 35 and I'll take care of the rest!"

Reporter- (Looking at Dizzy)

"That's bragging a bit isn't it?"

Dizzy Dean- "It ain't braggin' if we do it."

Dizzy and Paul Dean went on to win 49 games that year.

Each shared all four wins in the World Series.

Winston's Empire · Post by **Winston's Empire** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:13 am

Great Stuff Dough.... Thats why I had to use the cattle stick to get you in the ring Pal!

I often dream about being a radio broadcaster for my team and becoming part of that team. When Harry Caray was with the Cubs, I looked at him as no less a part of the team as the manager... God I loved Don Zimmer with the Cubs!

You hear about these guys like Earnie Harwell doing his job for one team for 42 years and you quickly think about kids listening to him, then that kid listening to him with his kids and then his Grand Kids!

In short baseball is a sport that brings most men back to the time they were a boy and its nice to have a broadcaster calling the game in a way you and your 12 year old friends can understand it, follow it, and keep up with between turns on the woopie cushion!