Author Topic: Announcer Ratings (Read 13431 times)

legs_of_eggs · « **on:** August 16, 2007, 11:17:46 pm »

Just curious as to what others think, how would you rate JD and Brownie on a scale of 1-10 as far as broadcasting combos in baseball? If Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are 1's and Vin Sculley and anyone they put next to him are a 10, then I'd give JD and Brownie an 8. I think JD does a good job of filling in the blanks with his stories and corny jokes. He stays reasonably unbias and often keeps things interesting with bizarre stories of Canada. Brownie does a good home run call and did a great job with Biggio's 3000th hit even with the awkward moment when he was thrown out at 2nd.

Navin R Johnson · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2007, 11:31:58 pm »

9. Bill is very solid, and JD is fantastic.

stubbyc · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2007, 11:48:12 pm »

9, I've had to watch a lot of games on mlb.tv and I like JD and Brown more than any other tandem. Brown has Milo's enthusiasm, but actually manages to call the game and explain what's going on. JD is outstanding.

legs_of_eggs · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2007, 12:18:53 am »

Quote from: stubbyc on August 16, 2007, 11:48:12 pm

9, I've had to watch a lot of games on mlb.tv and I like JD and Brown more than any other tandem. Brown has Milo's enthusiasm, but actually manages to call the game and explain what's going on. JD is outstanding.

Yeah watching rangers games on fsn with Josh Lewin makes me really appreciate JD and Brown. The only other notable announcer who goes underappreciated is Mark Grace for the Diamondbacks their crew is pretty decent. Anything espn is must mute tv.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2007, 06:57:09 am »

9 as well. Brown is a solid play-by-play TV man and JD is a very good analyst, pointing out lots of inside baseball type stuff, but in a humorous way.

JimR · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2007, 07:56:32 am »

i could not stand Brown when he first came to Houston as a "color" announcer. he is good at pbp, and JD has made him better. JD is as good as color anaysts get.

Scully is in a universe all his own, imo. there is no one close to him.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2007, 08:25:32 am »

I've been told that JD has turned down a lot of offers for bigger stages than the Houston gig.

Scully is magnificent. Miller is outstanding but has to sit in close proximity to Joe Morgan which sucks brain cells from his head at an alarming rate.

Houston · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2007, 08:28:05 am »

I got the hear Scully the past four nights and he's still at the top of his profession. When he's on the mic, you never have to wonder about the game situation. He doesn't even need a color commentator.

The one time I met him, he wasn't very friendly, but he's very good at what he does for a career. Very good.

Limey · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:01:42 am »

Quote from: Navin R Johnson on August 16, 2007, 11:31:58 pm

9. Bill is very solid, and JD is fantastic.

I sometimes get the strong impression that Bill laughs at some of JD's one-liners, not because he thinks they're funny or that he even gets 'em, but because he knows it's a one-liner and he doesn't want to leave his partner hanging. He can be a bit stiff, but does his famous Jekyll & Hyde act whenever something good happens.

His call of #3,000 was rock solid. It would've been great even on radio because he described the action perfectly, left you in no doubt that it was a hit, and then went into "Hyde" mode to celebrate the milestone. I didn't hear Milo's call, but going on tons of prior evidence I bet it doesn't hold up as well as Brownie's.

JD is almost the perfect announcer. Witty, clear, concise, knowledgeable. If he had big tits, he would be perfect.

Limey · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:02:27 am »

Quote from: legs_of_eggs on August 17, 2007, 12:18:53 am

Anything espn is must mute tv.

Funk & Wagner, anyone?

BUWebguy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:09:09 am »

I met Brown when I was in H.S. A youth counselor at my church knew him from somewhere and set me up a meeting with him, because at the time I was hoping to go into sports broadcasting. Brown met me at a coffee shop in NW Houston and talked with me for probably an hour about the business. I don't remember much of it -- probably too starstruck, really -- but it was very, very cool for him to take time to meet with a 16-year-old kid as a favor to someone I don't think he even knew very well.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:11:56 am »

Quote from: Limey on August 17, 2007, 09:02:27 am

Funk & Wagner, anyone?

Probably best submitted for potw if someone is so inclined.

Taras Bulba · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:13:25 am »

Quote from: BUWebguy on August 17, 2007, 09:09:09 am

I met Brown when I was in H.S. A youth counselor at my church knew him from somewhere and set me up a meeting with him, because at the time I was hoping to go into sports broadcasting. Brown met me at a coffee shop in NW Houston and talked with me for probably an hour about the business. I don't remember much of it -- probably too starstruck, really -- but it was very, very cool for him to take time to meet with a 16-year-old kid as a favor to someone I don't think he even knew very well.

That's how it all starts. Next thing you know, you're the "B" in NAMBLA.

Kevin · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:17:14 am »

I just remembered that we did a detailed study on the Astros broadcasters years ago. The Brownie/JD stuff seems to still apply. Wish they had found a way to get Brown on the radio.

The link

Jacksonian · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:26:17 am »

Quote from: JimR on August 17, 2007, 07:56:32 am

i could not stand Brown when he first came to Houston as a "color" announcer. he is good at pbp, and JD has made him better. JD is as good as color anaysts get.

Scull is in a universe all his own, imo. there is no one close to him.

I'm just old enough that Scully is the voice of baseball for me. He was the voice of Saturday afternoon and post-season baseball.

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:21:37 am »

We are spoiled with the combo of announcers. Brownie is a little stiff, but that makes him a great straight man. JD has a razor wit and he's quick to point out subtleties of the game for anyone willing to listen.

Now if you could just convince the assholes in San Antonio to play late night Astros games on FSN instead of Rangers vs. Royals. You can smell the ratings on that one...greasy french fries and sun-baked vomit.

Quote from: legs_of_eggs on August 16, 2007, 11:17:46 pm

Just curious as to what others think, how would you rate JD and Brownie on a scale of 1-10 as far as broadcasting combos in baseball? If Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are 1's and Vin Sculley and anyone they put next to him are a 10, then I'd give JD and Brownie an 8. I think JD does a good job of filling in the blanks with his stories and corny jokes. He stays reasonably unbias and often keeps things interesting with bizarre stories of Canada. Brownie does a good home run call and did a great job with Biggio's 3000th hit even with the awkward moment when he was thrown out at 2nd.

drew corleone · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:27:14 am »

JD is at his best when he's making Lucas look like an ass.

toddthebod · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:35:28 am »

Quote from: JimR on August 17, 2007, 07:56:32 am

iScully is in a universe all his own, imo. there is no one close to him.

It's all a matter of taste. I can't stand listening to Scully. He calls a great game, he has lots of information. But I just don't like the sound of his voice. I usually watch the Dodger's feed with the sound of and music in the background.

JimR · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:36:47 am »

Quote from: toddthebod on August 17, 2007, 11:35:28 am

But I just don't like the sound of his voice. I usually watch the Dodger's feed with the sound of and music in the background.

unfuckingbelieveable.

MRaup · « **Reply #19 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:43:47 am »

Quote from: toddthebod on August 17, 2007, 11:35:28 am

It's all a matter of taste. I can't stand listening to Scully. He calls a great game, he has lots of information. But I just don't like the sound of his voice. I usually watch the Dodger's feed with the sound of and music in the background.

That even makes ME cringe.

mrpink · « **Reply #20 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:45:51 am »

Quote from: Gizzmonic on August 17, 2007, 11:21:37 am

Now if you could just convince the assholes in San Antonio to play late night Astros games on FSN instead of Rangers vs. Royals. You can smell the ratings on that one...greasy french fries and sun-baked vomit.

Do you have time-warner? Because it's been a while since the Stros weren't on either FSN or channel 4.

toddthebod · « **Reply #21 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:50:55 am »

What can I tell you. It's a matter of taste. Personally, I like listening to the Mets announcers, Tom McCarthy, Howie Rose, Ed Coleman, (and on occasion, Gary Cohen -- who was the radio guy but now does TV).

Frobie · « **Reply #22 on:** August 17, 2007, 12:10:55 pm »

Brown has gotten on my nerves at times this year; I don't know exactly why. I think it's probably the previously mentioned obligatory and sometimes-forced guffaws at JD's comments. I do agree that Deshaies is top-notch, though, and I think Brown is good too but I don't really watch enough baseball besides the Astros to have much to compare him with.

I have been listening to the non-Milo radio guys a lot of late and, though I can't say I was overly impressed last year, they have grown on me. They're quite funny in a subtle way and the more you listen to them, them more you catch and appreciate that.

I do listen to lots of baseball over the Internet (GameDay Audio is so awesome that I've been waiting for years for MLB to screw it up somehow). The west-coast NL teams' (LA, SD, SF) broadcasters are all pretty good IMHO--Scully, the Morgan-less Jon Miller, et al. ensure I waste lots of hours at the PC when they are playing at home.

WulawHorn · « **Reply #23 on:** August 17, 2007, 12:49:00 pm »

I like the giants radio guys-they are good.

I liked SD radio guys (I was vacationing there when they were playing the astros, so I listened to them for a full 3 game series). They think of Biggio as a padre killer but the respect was highly evident. This was like 2 years ago.

BUWebguy · « **Reply #24 on:** August 17, 2007, 01:15:42 pm »

Quote from: mrpink on August 17, 2007, 11:45:51 am

Do you have time-warner? Because it's been a while since the Stros weren't on either FSN or channel 4.

They do the same thing in Waco -- if the Rangers are on FSN, the Astros are almost always on Channel 15 (otherwise a Time Warner info channel). I could not be more thankful for that.

xxx · « **Reply #25 on:** August 17, 2007, 01:36:36 pm »

Quote from: legs_of_eggs on August 16, 2007, 11:17:46 pm

Just curious as to what others think, how would you rate JD and Brownie on a scale of 1-10 as far as broadcasting combos in baseball? If Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are 1's and Vin Sculley and anyone they put next to him are a 10, then I'd give JD and Brownie an 8. I think JD does a good job of filling in the blanks with his stories and corny jokes. He stays reasonably unbias and often keeps things interesting with bizarre stories of Canada. Brownie does a good home run call and did a great job with Biggio's 3000th hit even with the awkward moment when he was thrown out at 2nd.

I love listening to JD and Brownie. I have learned a lot through JD. He will mention something about the pitcher/batter as a problem unfolds (stance, dropping arm etc) and it gets me looking more closely at the player. They are easy to point out good plays and don't hesitate when somebody makes a bonehead play...Lance Berkman.....and they point out the good and bad for other teams and I like that. I have had to listen to Ranger feeds in the past and wanted to stab my ear drums with a dull/rusty knife. I don't know how ranger fans do it. I know when we play on FOX and they mesh the Astros/Ranger announcers JD always looks confused sitting next to the annoying jackass Ranger brodcaster. And the big FOX brodcast it pretty umberable. So I think we are very lucky to have they guys we do. It makes it fun for me to watch these guys. And he's got his ugly lucky jacket....and will wear it in public. I give them a 9.5.

MRaup · « **Reply #26 on:** August 17, 2007, 01:44:18 pm »

Sadly, I don't think Ranger fans realize how awful Ranger broadcasts are. Josh Lewin completely overshadows the color guy that is with him, who is actually decent. Tom Grieve maybe?

Quote from: xxx on August 17, 2007, 01:36:36 pm

I love listening to JD and Brownie. I have learned a lot through JD. He will mention something about the pitcher/batter as a problem unfolds (stance, dropping arm etc) and it gets me looking more closely at the player. They are easy to point out good plays and don't hesitate when somebody makes a bonehead play...Lance Berkman.....and they point out the good and bad for other teams and I like that. I have had to listen to Ranger feeds in the past and wanted to stab my ear drums with a dull/rusty knife. I don't know how ranger fans do it. I know when we play on FOX and they mesh the Astros/Ranger announcers JD always looks confused sitting next to the annoying jackass Ranger brodcaster. And the big FOX brodcast it pretty umberable. So I think we are very lucky to have they guys we do. It makes it fun for me to watch these guys. And he's got his ugly lucky jacket....and will wear it in public. I give them a 9.5.

austro · « **Reply #27 on:** August 17, 2007, 01:56:57 pm »

Quote from: MRaup on August 17, 2007, 01:44:18 pm

Sadly, I don't think Ranger fans realize how awful Ranger broadcasts are. Josh Lewin completely overshadows the color guy that is with him, who is actually decent. Tom Grieve maybe?

Yes, I think it's Grieve. I don't mind him, either, but it is a challenge to try to ignore Lewin while still listening to Grieve.

This might be a new opportunity for extended DVR processing: downloadable audio processing modules that can notch filter particular voices. I'll make a bundle.

drew corleone · « **Reply #28 on:** August 17, 2007, 02:27:09 pm »

I like grieve. Lewis grates.

legs_of_eggs · « **Reply #29 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:13:24 pm »

Quote from: drew corleone on August 17, 2007, 02:27:09 pm

I like grieve. Lewis grates.

Lewis does san diego chargers games too. I hate the sound of his voice. When he calls touchdowns or home runs its so forced and overdone. Grieve is kinda boring but Lewis never lets him talk and often tries to do color too.

JimR · « **Reply #30 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:17:49 pm »

Quote from: legs_of_eggs on August 17, 2007, 03:13:24 pm

Lewis does san diego chargers games too. I hate the sound of his voice. When he calls touchdowns or home runs its so forced and overdone. Grieve is kinda boring but Lewis never lets him talk and often tries to do color too.

Lewin or Lewis?

ybbodeus · « **Reply #31 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:49:10 pm »

Quote from: WulawHorn on August 17, 2007, 12:49:00 pm

I liked SD radio guys.

Is Bevacqua one of them?

ybbodeus · « **Reply #32 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:50:44 pm »

Quote from: MRaup on August 17, 2007, 01:44:18 pm

Sadly, I don't think Ranger fans realize how awful Ranger broadcasts are. Josh Lewin completely overshadows the color guy that is with him, who is actually decent. Tom Grieve maybe?

When the Ranger/Astro broadcasts switched color analysts during the series for an inning or so, poor Josh sounded brutally intimidated.

Bench · « **Reply #33 on:** August 17, 2007, 04:00:50 pm »

Quote from: drew corleone on August 17, 2007, 02:27:09 pm

I like grieve. Lewis grates.

Agreed. Grieve has fantastic insight. Lewin is on the short list for worst broadcasters I've ever heard.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #34 on:** August 17, 2007, 04:24:11 pm »

Quote from: Taras Bulba on August 17, 2007, 09:13:25 am

That's how it all starts. Next thing you know, you're the "B" in NAMBLA.

Brutal, Juice, brutal!

drew corleone · « **Reply #35 on:** August 17, 2007, 04:41:24 pm »

Lewin.

Sleepy · « **Reply #36 on:** August 17, 2007, 05:48:28 pm »

Quote from: toddthebod on August 17, 2007, 11:50:55 am

....Personally, I like listening to the Mets announcers....

Who is the guy roaming the stands for the Mets? The first time I saw him this year I thought he had won a contest or something. His on-air presence is akin to the time I tried asking out the homecoming queen.

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #37 on:** August 17, 2007, 06:53:09 pm »

I just moved here to San Antonio. I have Time Warner Cable, and I got one of the Dodgers series on one of the locals (I guess channel 4) but last 3 games were not there.

Did you happen to catch them? It's entirely possible I missed them on the guide, I'm still not familiar with the channel lineups.

Quote from: mrpink on August 17, 2007, 11:45:51 am

Do you have time-warner? Because it's been a while since the Stros weren't on either FSN or channel 4.

mrpink · « **Reply #38 on:** August 17, 2007, 07:14:31 pm »

Quote from: Gizzmonic on August 17, 2007, 06:53:09 pm

I just moved here to San Antonio. I have Time Warner Cable, and I got one of the Dodgers series on one of the locals (I guess channel 4) but last 3 games were not there.

Did you happen to catch them? It's entirely possible I missed them on the guide, I'm still not familiar with the channel lineups.

Yeah I caught all of them. At least two were on FSNHD (ch. 150), and I think the other two were on channel 4...it's UPN or something. I'm in New Braunfels, but I thought the channel lineup was the same for SA. In the future check 4, 26, 50, and 150. Those are the only channels I've ever seen them on. (not counting when they were on espn2 and they blacked it out...fuckers)

Reuben · « **Reply #39 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:47:21 pm »

Quote from: toddthebod on August 17, 2007, 11:35:28 am

It's all a matter of taste. I can't stand listening to Scully. He calls a great game, he has lots of information. But I just don't like the sound of his voice. I usually watch the Dodger's feed with the sound of and music in the background.

I suppose the sound of Ella Fitzgerald's or Marvin Gaye's voice must be torture to you. Those songs would all be just fine if not for the singing, eh?

Frobie · « **Reply #40 on:** August 17, 2007, 10:27:22 pm »

If you've never heard it, here's a short-but-hilarious clip of Jon Miller's "Vin Scully in Japanese" imitation. Starts at about 8:50.

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #41 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:47:21 pm »

OK, I missed 50. Thanks for the advice.

I have the crappiest HD package, so I don't have FSN HD (yet) although I just picked up an HDTV.

Quote from: mrpink on August 17, 2007, 07:14:31 pm

Yeah I caught all of them. At least two were on FSNHD (ch. 150), and I think the other two were on channel 4...it's UPN or something. I'm in New Braunfels, but I thought the channel lineup was the same for SA. In the future check 4, 26, 50, and 150. Those are the only channels I've ever seen them on. (not counting when they were on espn2 and they blacked it out...fuckers)

legs_of_eggs · « **Reply #42 on:** August 18, 2007, 02:38:40 am »

Quote from: JimR on August 17, 2007, 03:17:49 pm

Lewin or Lewis?

Lewin. He looks like the jew Arie on entourage.

BatGirl · « **Reply #43 on:** August 18, 2007, 12:27:30 pm »

Quote from: legs_of_eggs on August 18, 2007, 02:38:40 am

Lewin. He looks like the jew Arie on entourage.

i think he spells it -
the jew Ari

but i could be wrong...

toddthebod · « **Reply #44 on:** August 18, 2007, 11:59:40 pm »

Quote from: Reuben on August 17, 2007, 09:47:21 pm

I suppose the sound of Ella Fitzgerald's or Marvin Gaye's voice must be torture to you. Those songs would all be just fine if not for the singing, eh?

I can appreciate the fact that Ella Fitzgerald has a beautiful voice, but I'm still not interested in listening to her sing.

What can I tell you. I find Scully's voice grating. So I don't like listening to him. He even ruined Billy Chapel's perfect game for me.

JimR · « **Reply #45 on:** August 19, 2007, 12:12:59 am »

Quote from: toddthebod on August 18, 2007, 11:59:40 pm

I can appreciate the fact that Ella Fitzgerald has a beautiful voice, but I'm still not interested in listening to her sing.

What can I tell you. I find Scully's voice grating. So I don't like listening to him. He even ruined Billy Chapel's perfect game for me.

you are NY, through and through.

BlownRanger · « **Reply #46 on:** August 19, 2007, 12:52:37 pm »

Scully is the standard. During his NBC days, I got a little tired of him bringing every discussion back to the Dodgers, but he is the perfect franchise announcer. You wonder if he's willing to work without a color man, or insists on it. I'm betting the latter.

I've heard a lot of the Padres crew on XM, and they drive me crazy. It's like listening to 1970's Top 40 DJs doing baseball.

Craig · « **Reply #47 on:** August 19, 2007, 01:24:35 pm »

You know, I love Vin Scully and he's certainly the best. But I mentioned this a couple of years ago in a preview -- he has gotten bad about mispronouncing names. Even easy ones. In just one Astros-Dodgers game a couple seasons ago, I heard "Oz-walt," "Ow-smus," "Beegio," "Palmeero," and "Tav-AH-ras." And what’s weird is that sometimes he got them right, and then the next time got them wrong again.

I haven't heard him this year, so maybe he's gotten better.

gwat · « **Reply #48 on:** August 19, 2007, 03:09:32 pm »

Quote from: Gizzmonic on August 17, 2007, 06:53:09 pm

I just moved here to San Antonio. I have Time Warner Cable, and I got one of the Dodgers series on one of the locals (I guess channel 4) but last 3 games were not there.

Did you happen to catch them? It's entirely possible I missed them on the guide, I'm still not familiar with the channel lineups.

Get DirecTV and, outside of about 2 broadcasts a year, you will see every Astro game in San Antonio. You get all three regional FoxSW feeds as well as the UPN feed, very low power on Time Warner. Sports bars around here with DirecTV seem only to get the FoxSW SA feed, ch 643. Since most of the games are on FoxSW Houston, ch 639, sportsbars are out of luck. You can thank MLB blackout bullshit for that fact. As a home-based account however, you get those two feeds, as well as Dallas, ch667. I don't own high-def so I am not hip to those equivalents.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #49 on:** August 19, 2007, 05:10:02 pm »

Quote from: BlownRanger on August 19, 2007, 12:52:37 pm

Scully is the standard. During his NBC days, I got a little tired of him bringing every discussion back to the Dodgers, but he is the perfect franchise announcer.

Verne Lundquist is the same way about Dallas. A fella can have a four hour layover at DFW and ol' Verne boy will find a way to inject it into the broadcast.

JimR · « **Reply #50 on:** August 19, 2007, 09:06:32 pm »

Verne and his three brothers grew up in Austin right around the corner from me. he's a good announcer too, imo.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #51 on:** August 21, 2007, 12:38:33 am »

No, I'm not knocking Verne the announcer; I'm a long time cowboy fan. I've simply found myself amused over the years about how Verne can find a way to inject Dallas into a South Carolina-Florida game but never Knoxville, Atlanta or Mobile, given those cities have more players involved in the contest they're covering.