I know I just commented on the Judge thing, but I've got to say I disagree with the Scully thing. I think Scully's template of the storyline is what makes ESPN so annoying... the storyline changes constantly... it's not a novel. That stuff makes baseball corny for me. Next....
Judge batting second or third does matter. The 2 spot comes up second-fewest times during a season with runners in scoring position (leadoff, obviously, is worst). Cleanup is number one, followed by 5 and 3. Why managers would want to bat their best RBI men after the 8,9 & 1 hitters instead of the 1, 2 & 3 hitters is beyond my imagination. What good is a 40-homer man who drives in 90 runs? I'd rather have 30 homers and 120 RBI.
For what it’s worth, I started to watch the video, heard the play-by-play voice, and said “Oh, it’s the Yelling Guy,” and was pretty sure I wouldn’t finish the video. He may have positive qualities, but his home run calls are so off-putting I don’t enjoy listening to him at all — even when he’s speaking normally, all I can hear is his home-run screech.
This is not to take away from Joe’s point about the 2020 context, and other readers’ points about local broadcasters being more focused on the game at hand. I think those are good points as well. Just saying that this announcer has always had an excitability problem.
yeah, that was not a good listen. But these guys are what they are and they got hired... Is that the commentary style that appeals to the bulk of people perhaps?
Another beauty Joe, thanks. Essays like this make me realize once again just how fortunate I was to have grown up and lived during the long run of Ernie Harwell in Detroit. Many childhood memories include listening to the radio with my grandparents with Ernie talking about how a man from – pick a city – caught that foul ball. He had that marvelous voice, and the ability to tell a story that could cover an entire inning. And much like Vin Scully, I don’t think Detroiters ever took him for granted, we always knew he was a treasure
Storytelling should rule the Day, especially right now! Over my 52 years in this Greatest Game, these moments need Storytelling to leave a lasting Legacy, like never before . . .
Sentences like this is what makes Joe so fun to read: "He also struck out 208 times that year — well, what do you expect, his strike zone is Wyoming." And how about the mention of "He's Gulliver". Thanks for the perspective. I also agree on whatever diatribe A-Rod had. He was up at the EXACT moment. It was timing by Matt for the question and a dumb reply by A-Rod.
I'm a Texas Rangers fan, and in our local market I love the radio guys, but cannot even listen to the TV guys. They are more boring than Alex Rodriguez. So, I try to sync the radio audio with the TV video to get a good combination. Some of my youth was in L.A. listening to Vin Scully, so yeah, I'm spoiled by that level of announcing.
National broadcasters have producers in their ears forcing them to talk about "issues" that normal fans don't care about. Local guys are more plugged in to the actual players and what they're doing on the field.
Joe, please listen to the Giants’ broadcasters for good stories and humor. Kruk and Kuip, Jon and Dave - we are blessed to have great storytellers here. They are fun to listen to watching the game, or as background accompaniment while getting things done at home.
National broadcasts seem to be the worst at this. I hate watching them because the focus seems to be on anything but what is happening in front of them.
I don't watch the national broadcasts especially ESPN. Too much chit chat. I found myself yelling at the TV saying "hey, there's a game going on!" Wait until they can talk to players and managers all the time. It's coming. Some say that will be great. I dread it.
i’m from boston
so of course... i hate the yankees
But... love watching aaron judge hit home runs
he’s a unique baseball player
and good for the game
i hope he does hit 60 in 60
(but none at fenway 🤷♂️☮️⚾️)
I know I just commented on the Judge thing, but I've got to say I disagree with the Scully thing. I think Scully's template of the storyline is what makes ESPN so annoying... the storyline changes constantly... it's not a novel. That stuff makes baseball corny for me. Next....
Judge batting second or third does matter. The 2 spot comes up second-fewest times during a season with runners in scoring position (leadoff, obviously, is worst). Cleanup is number one, followed by 5 and 3. Why managers would want to bat their best RBI men after the 8,9 & 1 hitters instead of the 1, 2 & 3 hitters is beyond my imagination. What good is a 40-homer man who drives in 90 runs? I'd rather have 30 homers and 120 RBI.
For what it’s worth, I started to watch the video, heard the play-by-play voice, and said “Oh, it’s the Yelling Guy,” and was pretty sure I wouldn’t finish the video. He may have positive qualities, but his home run calls are so off-putting I don’t enjoy listening to him at all — even when he’s speaking normally, all I can hear is his home-run screech.
This is not to take away from Joe’s point about the 2020 context, and other readers’ points about local broadcasters being more focused on the game at hand. I think those are good points as well. Just saying that this announcer has always had an excitability problem.
yeah, that was not a good listen. But these guys are what they are and they got hired... Is that the commentary style that appeals to the bulk of people perhaps?
Another beauty Joe, thanks. Essays like this make me realize once again just how fortunate I was to have grown up and lived during the long run of Ernie Harwell in Detroit. Many childhood memories include listening to the radio with my grandparents with Ernie talking about how a man from – pick a city – caught that foul ball. He had that marvelous voice, and the ability to tell a story that could cover an entire inning. And much like Vin Scully, I don’t think Detroiters ever took him for granted, we always knew he was a treasure
Storytelling should rule the Day, especially right now! Over my 52 years in this Greatest Game, these moments need Storytelling to leave a lasting Legacy, like never before . . .
Sentences like this is what makes Joe so fun to read: "He also struck out 208 times that year — well, what do you expect, his strike zone is Wyoming." And how about the mention of "He's Gulliver". Thanks for the perspective. I also agree on whatever diatribe A-Rod had. He was up at the EXACT moment. It was timing by Matt for the question and a dumb reply by A-Rod.
I'm a Texas Rangers fan, and in our local market I love the radio guys, but cannot even listen to the TV guys. They are more boring than Alex Rodriguez. So, I try to sync the radio audio with the TV video to get a good combination. Some of my youth was in L.A. listening to Vin Scully, so yeah, I'm spoiled by that level of announcing.
National broadcasters have producers in their ears forcing them to talk about "issues" that normal fans don't care about. Local guys are more plugged in to the actual players and what they're doing on the field.
Joe, please listen to the Giants’ broadcasters for good stories and humor. Kruk and Kuip, Jon and Dave - we are blessed to have great storytellers here. They are fun to listen to watching the game, or as background accompaniment while getting things done at home.
Well, Miller and Fleming are really good, anyway.
National broadcasts seem to be the worst at this. I hate watching them because the focus seems to be on anything but what is happening in front of them.
I don't watch the national broadcasts especially ESPN. Too much chit chat. I found myself yelling at the TV saying "hey, there's a game going on!" Wait until they can talk to players and managers all the time. It's coming. Some say that will be great. I dread it.
Couldn't agree more, Joe. More stories, fewer stats. Thanks for this.