Calling the Shots
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/685/1/Calling-the-Shots/Calling-the-Shots.html
Jake Duhaime
Jake Duhaime covered the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and 2006 Women's Final Four for Atomic Sports Media. His work has been featured on Boston Dirt Dogs, The Sporting News Online and U.S. Figure Skating Online. Born in Massachusetts, Jake spends most of his free time and money traveling to major sporting events across the country. If you want to reach Jake, email him: jake.duhaime@
atomicsportsmedia.com.
atomicsportsmedia.com.
By Jake Duhaime
Published on 01/13/2007
As sports fans, we invite them into our living rooms almost every night, yet some are about as welcome as that neighbor who drinks all your beer and never chips in for pizza. Atomic Sports columnist Jake Duhaime says that a great broadcaster can make all the difference when watching a sporting event, and gives his list of the best in the business.
As sports fans, we invite them into our living rooms almost every night, yet some are about as welcome as that neighbor who drinks all your beer and never chips in for pizza. Atomic Sports columnist Jake Duhaime says that a great broadcaster can make all the difference when watching a sporting event, and gives his list of the best in the business.
Calling the Shots
A good broadcaster can either make or break a telecast. Here’s one man’s breakdown of 10 of the best in the business.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman - FOX NFL Sunday
His Randy Moss blow-up notwithstanding, Buck’s transition from the diamond to the gridiron has been nothing short of seamless – and I absolutely can’t stand Buck as a baseball play-by-play guy. Aikman is just the latest in a small-but-elite group that has successfully made the move from the huddle to the booth without making viewers reach for the mute button. Given his young age, I think there’s the potential for Aikman to become the next Madden, where his television work will overshadow his on-field accomplishments, especially to those young fans who never really saw him play.
J.P. Dellacamera - ESPN Soccer, Atlanta Thrashers
One of the more puzzling broadcasting decisions was relegating Dellacamera to the No. 2 role during ESPN/ABC’s World Cup telecasts last summer in favor of Dave O’Brien. Apparently, the higher-ups at the network thought O’Brien would do a better job educating the novice fans on the game of soccer, -- this at the expense of ticking off the die-hards. J.P.’s been around the game for the last three decades, and his signature call, a simple “Goal!” after Brandi Chastain’s Women’s World Cup winner will last for generations to come.
Bob Cole and Harry Neale - Hockey Night in Canada
I know, I know, they’ve lost the zip off their fastball. But big hockey games, especially the Stanley Cup Final, wouldn’t be the same without the dynamic-duo behind the microphone (and Don Cherry’s infamous wardrobe). They aren’t the lone HNIC entry on this list either.
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms - CBS
Nantz is very good in all three sports he covers (football, basketball and golf), not to mention he’s also excellent as a studio host. Simms seems to have good chemistry with nearly everyone he works with. Except for the change in voice, I haven’t really noticed the change between the Gumbel/Simms telecast and the Nantz/Simms telecast. Both tandems seemed to bring well-executed telecasts to the table.
John Sterling - New York Yankees
Sterling is the most polarizing play-by-play guy in America. Here are five reasons why;
“Yankees Win! Thhhhhheeee Yankees Win!”
“Bern BABY Bern”
“The BAM-Tino”
“The Giam-BINO”
“It is high! It is far! It is GONE!”
I could do without the calls, especially the politically incorrect “There’s an A-BOMB for A-Rod” call. Yet, his game presentation and flair for the dramatic is second to none. He can make a mid-April game against Tampa Bay fun to listen too and his voice is just made for crisp October nights when everything’s on the line. Though he was much better when teamed with the talented Michael Kay instead Suzyn Waldman, who seems out of her element in the booth as opposed to the studio, Sterling is still worth listening too, especially in October.
Brent Musburger and Dick Enberg - ABC, CBS
During the National Championship, one of my friends stated that there “should be a law requiring Musburger to do BCS Games.” I agree with him 100 percent on that one, but would throw Enberg in the mix as well. The 72 year-old still calls a masterful game, despite losing some zip off the old fastball. His “Oh my!” is as legendary as his enthusiasm.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman - FOX NFL Sunday
His Randy Moss blow-up notwithstanding, Buck’s transition from the diamond to the gridiron has been nothing short of seamless – and I absolutely can’t stand Buck as a baseball play-by-play guy. Aikman is just the latest in a small-but-elite group that has successfully made the move from the huddle to the booth without making viewers reach for the mute button. Given his young age, I think there’s the potential for Aikman to become the next Madden, where his television work will overshadow his on-field accomplishments, especially to those young fans who never really saw him play.
J.P. Dellacamera - ESPN Soccer, Atlanta Thrashers
One of the more puzzling broadcasting decisions was relegating Dellacamera to the No. 2 role during ESPN/ABC’s World Cup telecasts last summer in favor of Dave O’Brien. Apparently, the higher-ups at the network thought O’Brien would do a better job educating the novice fans on the game of soccer, -- this at the expense of ticking off the die-hards. J.P.’s been around the game for the last three decades, and his signature call, a simple “Goal!” after Brandi Chastain’s Women’s World Cup winner will last for generations to come.
Bob Cole and Harry Neale - Hockey Night in Canada
I know, I know, they’ve lost the zip off their fastball. But big hockey games, especially the Stanley Cup Final, wouldn’t be the same without the dynamic-duo behind the microphone (and Don Cherry’s infamous wardrobe). They aren’t the lone HNIC entry on this list either.
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms - CBS
Nantz is very good in all three sports he covers (football, basketball and golf), not to mention he’s also excellent as a studio host. Simms seems to have good chemistry with nearly everyone he works with. Except for the change in voice, I haven’t really noticed the change between the Gumbel/Simms telecast and the Nantz/Simms telecast. Both tandems seemed to bring well-executed telecasts to the table.
John Sterling - New York Yankees
Sterling is the most polarizing play-by-play guy in America. Here are five reasons why;
“Yankees Win! Thhhhhheeee Yankees Win!”
“Bern BABY Bern”
“The BAM-Tino”
“The Giam-BINO”
“It is high! It is far! It is GONE!”
I could do without the calls, especially the politically incorrect “There’s an A-BOMB for A-Rod” call. Yet, his game presentation and flair for the dramatic is second to none. He can make a mid-April game against Tampa Bay fun to listen too and his voice is just made for crisp October nights when everything’s on the line. Though he was much better when teamed with the talented Michael Kay instead Suzyn Waldman, who seems out of her element in the booth as opposed to the studio, Sterling is still worth listening too, especially in October.
Brent Musburger and Dick Enberg - ABC, CBS
During the National Championship, one of my friends stated that there “should be a law requiring Musburger to do BCS Games.” I agree with him 100 percent on that one, but would throw Enberg in the mix as well. The 72 year-old still calls a masterful game, despite losing some zip off the old fastball. His “Oh my!” is as legendary as his enthusiasm.
Calling the Shots
Bob Uecker - Milwaukee Brewers
You just know that somewhere a network executive looks at the comedic style of Uecker and thinks that Tony Kornheiser can bring the same schtick to Monday Night Football and be successful. IT DOESN’T WORK, especially on television, because we found that out with Ueck himself. The real shame in it all? I think the last big game Uecker did play-by-play for was that Game 7 of the ALCS in Major League 2. If the Brewers could find some way out of baseball hell, they might give the man a signature call that wasn’t in one of those three Major League movies.
Jim Hughson - Hockey Night in Canada
Most of us know Hughson as the longtime voice of EA’s NHL and Triple Play series. And because of that fact, I still am amused when I hear him call an actual game. Currently, he’s HNIC’s No. 2 guy behind the irreplaceable Cole. He’s extremely talented and versatile having worked with Buck Martinez in the booth for baseball telecasts for several years in addition to his hockey gig.
Mike Emrick - NBC Hockey, New Jersey Devils
When the Doctor teamed up with John Davidson, they made up the best broadcast team in all of professional sports. Emrick is wildly passionate with a stellar broadcasters voice that sometimes shrieks with sheer excitement. Davidson is extremely knowledgeable and always let the play-by-play guy carry the telecast. More than anybody else, the two have a genuine love for the game that translates well in the telecast. How many times did Emrick throw out an interesting fact or story during last year’s Stanley Cup Finals? (A ton) How many times did it seem force fed and corny? (None) How many times did the other guy in the booth say something absolutely stupid as a follow up? (Absolutely zero, thank god)
Vin Scully - Los Angeles Dodgers
Here are two simple examples as to why Scully is the best in the business
A - Game Six, 1986 World Series
Scully: Little roller up along first….behind the bag! It gets through Bucker! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!
THREE MINUTES OF SILENCE
Scully: If one picture is worth a thousand words, you have seen about a million words, but more than that, you have seen an absolutely bizarre finish to Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The Mets are not only alive, they are well, and they will play the Red Sox in Game 7 tomorrow!
B - Game One, 1988 World Series
Scully: High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is... gone!!!
SIXTY-SEVEN SECONDS LATER
Scully: In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!
In a world where blowhards who don’t shut up are rewarded with lucrative play-by-play and color gigs (Dennis Miller), Scully’s stayed true to himself and his fans. Sometimes, we like to see and hear the emotion of the moment without somebody telling us how unbelievable it is. We are smart enough to know that, just let us enjoy it.
You just know that somewhere a network executive looks at the comedic style of Uecker and thinks that Tony Kornheiser can bring the same schtick to Monday Night Football and be successful. IT DOESN’T WORK, especially on television, because we found that out with Ueck himself. The real shame in it all? I think the last big game Uecker did play-by-play for was that Game 7 of the ALCS in Major League 2. If the Brewers could find some way out of baseball hell, they might give the man a signature call that wasn’t in one of those three Major League movies.
Jim Hughson - Hockey Night in Canada
Most of us know Hughson as the longtime voice of EA’s NHL and Triple Play series. And because of that fact, I still am amused when I hear him call an actual game. Currently, he’s HNIC’s No. 2 guy behind the irreplaceable Cole. He’s extremely talented and versatile having worked with Buck Martinez in the booth for baseball telecasts for several years in addition to his hockey gig.
Mike Emrick - NBC Hockey, New Jersey Devils
When the Doctor teamed up with John Davidson, they made up the best broadcast team in all of professional sports. Emrick is wildly passionate with a stellar broadcasters voice that sometimes shrieks with sheer excitement. Davidson is extremely knowledgeable and always let the play-by-play guy carry the telecast. More than anybody else, the two have a genuine love for the game that translates well in the telecast. How many times did Emrick throw out an interesting fact or story during last year’s Stanley Cup Finals? (A ton) How many times did it seem force fed and corny? (None) How many times did the other guy in the booth say something absolutely stupid as a follow up? (Absolutely zero, thank god)
Vin Scully - Los Angeles Dodgers
Here are two simple examples as to why Scully is the best in the business
A - Game Six, 1986 World Series
Scully: Little roller up along first….behind the bag! It gets through Bucker! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!
THREE MINUTES OF SILENCE
Scully: If one picture is worth a thousand words, you have seen about a million words, but more than that, you have seen an absolutely bizarre finish to Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The Mets are not only alive, they are well, and they will play the Red Sox in Game 7 tomorrow!
B - Game One, 1988 World Series
Scully: High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is... gone!!!
SIXTY-SEVEN SECONDS LATER
Scully: In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!
In a world where blowhards who don’t shut up are rewarded with lucrative play-by-play and color gigs (Dennis Miller), Scully’s stayed true to himself and his fans. Sometimes, we like to see and hear the emotion of the moment without somebody telling us how unbelievable it is. We are smart enough to know that, just let us enjoy it.