MLB Extra Innings: Best/Worst local announcers

by coffee roaster on Apr 5, 2006 12:15 PM PDT

I've subscribed to the MLB Extra Innings package on DirecTv for three years now - I've moved from the Bay Area and I need my A's fix - and for any new subscribers, I offer my review of the best and the worst of local baseball announcing crews. Feel free to add to the list or dispute mine.

Best:

A's (of course)

Mariners - I know that many will disagree, but they stick to the details of the game with only a small amount of homerism.

Baltimore - They aren't irritating, and believe me, that's enough to make the best list given the below.

Indians - see Baltimore

Kansas City - Yes, they have annoying voices but they know they cover a dreadful team and they don't attempt to hide the disgust in their voices during many an on-field failure (a side note: the Royals have the worst production values in MLB - the visual quality is terrible, with faded colors, fuzzy, out-of-focus camera shots and terrible on-air editing. It looks like it's filmed using a relative's camcorder).

Tolerable:

Atlanta
Mets
Texas Rangers

Worst

Hands down, the worst of the worst are the White Sox announcers. Homerism to an extreme, "bad guys" vs. "good guys" babble that hardly teaches good sportsmanship to young viewers, and the unseemly habit of the broadcasters to include themselves as part of the team ("We really got that run in!"). An excessive overuse of player nicknames ("Good eye, Paulie, good eye"). Execrable. Nauseating. Avoid at all costs.

Angels: Steve Physioc appears to have a mancrush on every Angels player, which in and of itself wouldn't bother me. However, adding Rex Hudler to this mix brings the annoyance level to high pitch - perhaps he's desperate to be forgiven by upper Angels management for his unfortunate drug bust, but his constant stream of unsullied praise for Angels management throughout the broadcasts is stomach-churning. His schtick of playing with a baseball whenever the camera is on him is apparently supposed to remind us that he was once a scrappy MLB player. Whatever. This crew is gross, just gross.

Giants - Almost as irritating as the Angels crew. I'd place them first except perhaps their Bonds-worship this year will be somewhat tempered - time will tell.

Cardinals - the leering, smug Joe Buck for some reason makes me queasy. He seems to hover over sports like a nightmare and he's friggin' everywhere - I'd rather eat glass than listen to a Cardinal's broadcast. I hit the mute button when I want to see Mulder pitch.

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At spring training

I was walking out to my car after the Angels/A's game and guess who was in front of me? Steve Physioc. Yep, he of the "Steve Physioc is the Devil" one-man show on Broadway. I honestly wanted to trip him up, then a group of Angels fans smoking and tailgating in the lot came over and started fawning all over the tool. Really...I wish we could Hawk, Physioc and Hudler on a rocket and launch them into orbit. They are just the worst. I'd put the Yankee and Red Sox folks under the tolerable list as well.

I was also thinking we should start some sort of effort to get Steve Stone to replace Joe Morgan as the Sunday Night guy. Stone is by far one of the most intelligent guys who is a nice blend of sort of the old school thinking and new school. I'm glad the Cubs let him go because it's great hearing him do day games on ESPN. He's way undervalued.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 5, 2006 12:28 PM PDT reply actions

Physioc spent some time in the Bay Area...

during the 80's doing weekend sports and fill-in for KTVU including some play-by-play for the Giants telecasts. He was horrible and will be remembered for his hilarious botched call that went from a casual "there's a little looper [to the outfield]" to the panicked "IT'S TO THE WARNING TRACK!!!" in the space of two seconds.

Toasted Almond

by Ice Cream on Apr 5, 2006 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

But the really funny part

was how Ron Fairly (gag) kept calling him "Steve Physiak." I mean, how do you get your own partner's name that wrong?

Maybe I've been underestimating ol' Ron all along...

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 5, 2006 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Good point...

The Yankees announcers are actually pretty good -they don't constantly crow about how good their team is.

The Red Sox are okay, and their production values are probably the best in baseball. Still, Jerry Remy hawking the junk he sells on his website on-air is a little iffy.

by coffee roaster on Apr 5, 2006 12:34 PM PDT reply actions

yeah, I agree

I'd say that the yankees guys do a pretty good job, even though I hate the yankees. They know what they are talking about up there and dont constantly talk about how good their lineup is. Other teams do this instead.

The YES network on the other hand, is pretty pompous, but I wouldnt expect anything else from the yankees. All those championships, and all that history, you got to respect that on a strictly baseball level.

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Apr 5, 2006 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Yankee's announcers

You lie! You LIE!!!! According to Yankee's announcers (I had to watch the last two nights on YES.... I'm still bruised): 1.) Some guy who hasn't had an at bat since 19 f'ing 82 hit a dinger last night. 2.) Moneyball is about OBP (only) Seriously, these guys almost make me wish I was listening to Joe Morgan. They were so thrilled with the analysis of a shoulder dip timing device that they neglected to mention that the reason someone was out was that the ball sailed in on his hands. Another instance, they NEVER mentioned that a bat had shattered on a hit..... Sheesh. Some times you just want a cannoli

by Bronx A's Fan on Apr 5, 2006 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't mind the Yankees announcers either...

I've heard Michael Kay use "See Ya!" for opponent home runs numerous times. Rarely do you hear someone use his home run call beyond the team he works for.

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 5, 2006 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Said it before, I'll say it again ...

I <3 Kruk 'n' Kuip.

Good call on the Tribe's announcers: they're low-key, but quality.

All credit goes to the flu medicine. -- Kyli @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 5, 2006 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

my picks

I disagree about the A's, I love Fosse, but Kuiper is pretty garbage. Cmon last night on Chavez HR he kept talking about how he thought it was foul. Get over it douchebag, you blew the call.

The good & tolerable

Tigers: They are just pretty humble and appreciate good baseball, call a good game and good plays for BOTH teams.
Texas: Even though I hate Texas, these guys do a good job up there, and at least in the past, have ALWAYS given props to King when they visit the Coliseum.
Others I like or tolerate well. Cleveland, KC, Mets. Similar reasons as you.

I HATE. I will admit that Im biased here because I do hate most of the teams that have these announcers.

Giants: I'm just not a fan of excessive homerism. The crossing people out is by far the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Whats worse is giants fans BRINGING signs to a game that say "cross me out Kruk!!". Ugh.
Angels: Same reasons you mention, but mainly smack Hudler.
Padres: Living in SD, I see these clowns a bunch. Excessive homerism. Too many nicknames, "go up there and get that pitch B-Giles". Bad use of slang, ie. trying to be cool & funny. "The giants just got a taste of Khalil Yo". These guys just dont know baseball either. Tony Gwynn is the only exception.
Red Sox: I cant stand "Rem Dawg" and his NE accent. First of all if you spell dog, D A W G, you deserve to get your ass kicked. These guys are very arrogant on the air as well and just plain annoying.

White Sox are bad, for the reasons you mention, but more in an awesomely bad way for me. I actually am entertained by them because the hawk is so upset when they are losing or give up runs. The "you can put it on the boaaard" cracks me up still. I laugh at him, because hes so stupid. I dont hate the white sox though, so this helps also

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Apr 5, 2006 12:46 PM PDT reply actions

Absolutely on the ChiSox

Harrelson and crew are on another planet -- they're so absurdly, ridiculously awful at fulfilling the standard roles of pXp and color that I almost have to admire them.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 5, 2006 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I may get blasted for this...

....I love Ray Fosse,and he's nice to look at, but he's a bit of a homer...I almost died laughing last nite when he said that Mon nite was a learning experience for Barry Zito...

I know he's a former A and he currently gets paid by them and it does show from time to time....of course, he not nearly as bad as the Warriors' Barnett & Fitzgerald, who are almost downright silly. I like what you said about KC, they don't attempt to hide their disgust. Could you send that statement to Barnett & Fitzgerald?
a

by littleA on Apr 5, 2006 12:49 PM PDT reply actions

Ah yes...

You make a good point about the Tigers - I'd classify them as about the same as the Indians crew. Low-key, knowledgeable, easy to listen to. Good pick.

What I find appalling about the Giants idiots is how they constantly mock the fans in the stands. These people pay their salaries, one would think, and the way they treat them is really unacceptable - like those two are great prizes! Sick!

by coffee roaster on Apr 5, 2006 12:51 PM PDT reply actions

I heart EI...

Thumbs up:
Twins, Mariners, Texas, Mets, Dodgers, A's.

Eh. Okay:
Cardinals, but not Buck, that other guy. The one that does the pregame show when Joe is in the booth. Mike Shannon, the radio guy, blows. Blue Jays, Diamondbacks.

Okay, as long as they aren't announcing against the A's:
Yankess, Red Sox, KC, Nationals.

Thumbs down:
White Sox, Joe Buck (including football season).

Betrayal five!

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2006 1:02 PM PDT reply actions

If judging individual guys

Big Thumbs down then to Arizona for Thom Brennamen.

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Apr 5, 2006 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

I really like the Brewers teams...

One that jumps out to me.

I dont mind Joe Buck for baseball, unless he is with McCarver, but I think he sucks for football.

Also like the Texas and Yankee crews a lot. I watch games on YES even when they arent playing the A's because I like Michael Kay. I also like the Twins guys.... they seem to have fun and be homers, but not over the top.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 5, 2006 1:23 PM PDT reply actions

I live in Santa Barbara....

and get every single Angels broadcast..... I'd be happy to listen to any other announcer than Hudler..... Figgy, Ersty, Vlady.... I'm going to Hurly.....

by frink on Apr 5, 2006 2:05 PM PDT reply actions

Hurley - heh

I think Hurley is always the 10th player on the field with the Halos, courtesy of Hudler.

by coffee roaster on Apr 5, 2006 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Barfy

What the Wonder Dog will call Josh Barfield when the halos play the Pads.

Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today, I am the greatest! - Rickey Henderson

by haren4prez on Apr 5, 2006 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Hersheiser was Horrible on ESPN2

But at least he isn't Joe Morgan

"OH MY GOD!, You Cloned Kennedy, you BASTARDS!" (Anonymous ANer on seeing Brad Halsey)

by 510inDenver on Apr 5, 2006 2:22 PM PDT reply actions

He's only on for the post season...

but can I include Tim McCarver on the worst list. I hate this guy, and teamed with Joe Buck, uggghhh! I know the only reason Joe is where he is on name alone. McCarver, everyone hates him, why does he still ahve a job? I have beat this horse almost to trollsville, but I HATE KRUKOW AND KUIPER! Especially Krukow. God, my blood pressure goes up just thinking about this jackass! AGGGGHHHHHHH! I agree with your list entirely (from what I know of the above mentioned)

Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today, I am the greatest! - Rickey Henderson

by haren4prez on Apr 5, 2006 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

no way man

K and K are wonderfull; they make the SF Vanilla's telecasts funny and entertaining; they get my support big time.

by davestewart on Apr 6, 2006 1:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Come to think of it...

I may have to downgrade the Mariner's announcers to 'tolerable'. I'd forgotten what Ichirophiles they are, and that's a little grating.

I'm watching the Seattle/Halos game at the moment, and Weaver is looking shaky (yay!).

by coffee roaster on Apr 5, 2006 3:54 PM PDT reply actions

best and worst

There are a lot I haven't heard around the league, but here are my impressions

best:

Bill King
Ken Korach
Dave Niehaus / M's - was listening to a game where they camr from behind beat the Halos last year, I think the A's game had a rain delay... but he made the Mariners' win very exciting
Jon Miller
Vin Scully

I'm actually happy with Vince Cotroneo calling the games too.

worst:

I'm happy Greenwald isn't doing the A's games anymore.
McCarver
Buck Martinez. (and whoever it was who was calling the RedSox-White Sox ALDS on radio last year. Bruuuuutal.)

by miguel on Apr 5, 2006 3:56 PM PDT reply actions

I've only heard him on M's radio

but our old friend Hendu does a pretty stand up job as an announcer. Mark Grace is good for the D Backs too. A little off topic, but worth mentioning.

Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today, I am the greatest! - Rickey Henderson

by haren4prez on Apr 5, 2006 4:36 PM PDT reply actions

Hendu ain't half bad

Gene Nelson and I have the same barber!

by beta103 on Apr 6, 2006 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Texas announcers

I actually don't like these guys. This may stem from the end of the 2004 season when we lost so many games to the Rangers. I find that when the game is calm and nothing much is happening then they will pass kudos on to the A's or whoever they are playing. However, if there is a close play, or even not so close call that goes against the Rangers in a key situation they will not call it objectively. The Rangers always get robbed. More than a few times I have wondered aloud if we are watching the same game.

by Larry E on Apr 5, 2006 5:46 PM PDT reply actions

I HATE JON STERLING!!!!!!!!!

so annoying!!!!! theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yankeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin. luckily u west coasters dont hear it. i mean even yankee fans hate him.

"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane

by harendaman365 on Apr 5, 2006 5:49 PM PDT reply actions

but michael kay isnt too bad

i mean it gets annoying but "see ya" is a nice simple not completly over the top, home run call. And hes not givin evry1 ridiculous .

"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane

by harendaman365 on Apr 5, 2006 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I actually like the Red Sox announcers

Maybe it's just me, but I've had mlb.tv for 2 years (my 3rd season now) and watch Red Sox games being on the East Coast. They generally seem to be fair and tend to praise the other team where praise is due. What I REALLY like about them is that they seem to keep the totally inane chitchat to a minimal. Too many announcers loooooooove the sound of their own voice and will just go on and on and on talking about total garbage just to fill the airtime. NESN announcers really aren't like that.

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Apr 5, 2006 5:55 PM PDT reply actions

I like the Red Sox announcers

but not when the Sox are playing the A's.

During one game I was watching on NESN, the Sox announcers did nothing but laugh the entire inning. This really cute little girl (she was about 5) told a joke at the beginning of the inning, they lost it, and didn't call a single thing until after the next commercial. The joke:

Why do golfers always carry two pairs of pants?
In case they have a hole in one.

They were crying and gasping for air.

Greatest conversation ever.

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2006 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I hate Niehaus

He's probably the most annoying announcer I've ever listened to. The Sox announcers are homers, but they're not as grating as Niehaus. And I think I would actually enjoy Physioc if he announced for a team that wasn't a rival of ours.

Yet, I don't have too many feelings either way for the M's, but I can't stand that old geezer.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 5, 2006 6:50 PM PDT reply actions

I miss Greg Papa

Being a huge Raiders fan along with the A's, Greg Papa is the man. Hearing him with the Giants makes me sick. Papa and Fosse were the best "TV" men for the A's (King and Korach were the best tandem ever, RIP King you were the best!)

As for the worst, nothing worst then Kruk and Kuip on the Giants.

Speaking of that, I like Glenn Kuiper as a sideline reporter, but he sucks as a play by play man.

by southshield on Apr 5, 2006 11:36 PM PDT reply actions

After a year with XM........

I have to give props to the Tigers and Rangers crews. Both crews know their stuff and "paint the picture." I'm even okay with the homerism. Let's face it, I wouldn't trust a local radio guy if he wasn't a bit a homer. To me it says "invested."
The worst goes to the teams and sometimes just the pairings on the national broadcasts (Fox and ESPN). I almost always end up turning off the sound and listening to XM or my iPod.

Barry and the "Intangibles"

by Duke of left field on Apr 6, 2006 12:27 AM PDT reply actions

ChiSox

Living here with only basic cable means that I have to watch some of the A's games vs. the White Sox on WGN. These guys easily have the most annoying accents that I have ever heard. After the first time, I now just mute the TV and listen on the radio (but now I can't really do that because I don't get KYCY too well up here in the hills). It took me about four or five times before I realized what they were saying when a non-White Sox player was struck out (He gone!).

by senork on Apr 6, 2006 12:56 AM PDT reply actions

hey, guess who this is..?

"he's been everywhere with a million different teams, he hit a moonshot, and he missed it by a mile..."

Korach; can you please leave the junior high exaggeration somewhere else and report the game for once?

Thank you.

by davestewart on Apr 6, 2006 1:09 AM PDT reply actions

You forgot that Padres announcer.

He's the worst!

by OaktownRajah on Apr 6, 2006 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

you are correct

he is dreadful torture; there is no middle ground with that guy, you either love him or leave him; I won't even say his name;

but the other guy, Jerry Coleman is a national treasure; he gets my highest marks.

So SD baseball radio is only half bad

by davestewart on Apr 7, 2006 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions

We had this same discussion last season..

and the white sox announcers are still the worst in all of baseball. Unfortuantly now they have a big world series ego to go with their crappiness. Hawk Harrelson BLOWS!!!!

Gene Nelson and I have the same barber!

by beta103 on Apr 6, 2006 10:13 AM PDT reply actions