Is Tim McCarver an Idiot?

[Runscott]

I've been convinced that the answer is 'yes' since the day he became a broadcaster.

So during today's rain delay, he stated that "whoever wins today wins the series." Heck, with geniuses like McCarver around, why do we even play more than four game?

Joe Buck isn't much better - if you had told anyone before the ALCS began, that if the Rangers took a 2-0 series lead and lost game 3, that they would be in big trouble, they would laugh at you. Isn't going up 2-0 great? Isn't going up 3-0 something to be dreamed for, but not something that if you don't do it, you're in trouble?

I'm missing the logic of these two clowns.

[carrigansghost]

YES.

Rawn

[Mikehealer]

Joe Buck isn't any better, in fact I think he's worse if that's possible. He is consistent though, because he is equally bad as a football announce.

[xdrx]

Originally Posted by Mikehealer

Joe Buck isn't any better, in fact I think he's worse if that's possible. He is consistent though, because he is equally bad as a football announce.

I agree on Joe Buck. Consistently awful and consistenly overrated.

I think McCarver used to be fairly interesting, and one of the smarter ex-players in a broadcasting role, but maybe has been around for too long at this point. Joe Morgan is kind of similar. I used to like him doing games, but he never has evolved, and it just gets stale, and now annoying.

[BearBailey]

Sadly Yes. But No One is worse than Bob Costas. I watch the games on mute when he is announcing!

[bigtrain]

I used to think McCarver was the worst but now its Joe Morgan. Being in love with your own voice is a serious problem for a broadcaster. Once heard Morgan seriously suggest that Don Gullett (former teammate) should be in the Hall of Fame.

[CW]

Originally Posted by xdrx

I think McCarver used to be fairly interesting, and one of the smarter ex-players in a broadcasting role, but maybe has been around for too long at this point.

I'd have to agree on both points. I used to enjoy Tim's banter back in the early to mid 90's, and I remember him giving great commentary during the Atlanta Braves' run during those times. But now, it's as if he's trying too hard to come up with something interesting or unique, and it has gotten old.

[familytoad]

So who do you think is a good broadcaster?
I like Buck's tone when a big play is made, but agree that overall he misses the mark.
McCarver isn't real good...I liked the comment about his loss of originality. He does have a firm grasp of the obvious though!

Dick Stockton is not a pleasant voice to hear, and Ron Darling loves the superstars so much that he'll ignore the rest of the team in favor of telling you that Pujols is only 6 batters away before his turn!!
John Smoltz is new to the booth but I kinda like his style.
Joe Morgan ...omg if he predicts something he will congratulate himself for three innings...wow he's bad. ( dude knew how to win baseball games though so here's my kudos to him as a player)

The radio guys are much better in my opinion...listening to Milo H., Ted Leitner, Scott Frantzke, Larry Anderson...much better to listen to, but of course I like watching the game too

Oh please someone grant permanent laryngitis to John Sterling and Susan Waldman(?) .

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by familytoad

So who do you think is a good broadcaster?
I like Buck's tone when a big play is made, but agree that overall he misses the mark.
McCarver isn't real good...I liked the comment about his loss of originality. He does have a firm grasp of the obvious though!

Dick Stockton is not a pleasant voice to hear, and Ron Darling loves the superstars so much that he'll ignore the rest of the team in favor of telling you that Pujols is only 6 batters away before his turn!!
John Smoltz is new to the booth but I kinda like his style.
Joe Morgan ...omg if he predicts something he will congratulate himself for three innings...wow he's bad. ( dude knew how to win baseball games though so here's my kudos to him as a player)

The radio guys are much better in my opinion...listening to Milo H., Ted Leitner, Scott Frantzke, Larry Anderson...much better to listen to, but of course I like watching the game too

Oh please someone grant permanent laryngitis to John Sterling and Susan Waldman(?) .

Given how many truly bad ones there are, I'm thinking that the 'Morgan/McCarver' model is what t.v. viewers actually like (and don't forget another guy who loves the sound of his own voice - Rick Sutcliffe) . Remember, we're vintage guys, and the 'old school' broadcasting we grew up listening to on the radio is pretty much a thing of the past.

My favorites were Lowell Pass and Gene Elston doing the Astros on the radio back in the '60s. But whoever did the White Sox back then was good to - names elude me.

Today? I really don't like any of them. Here's an interesting website - check out Buck at #5 Worst, and the 'spared' list. This is quite funny:

http://www.aolnews.com/2009/12/03/ma...-broadcasters/

[Fred]

Have any of you been subjected to having to listen to Dick Enberg call a game? He was the main TV commentator for the Padres this year and I tell you what, I never knew how much I'd miss Matt Vasgersian as a baseball commentator. I now have a great appreciation for what Matt used to provide when he was the Padres commentator. I think Enberg might have been ok a while back but I think calling 120+ ball games in a season is probably a bit much for him now.

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by Fred

Have any of you been subjected to having to listen to Dick Enberg call a game? He was the main TV commentator for the Padres this year and I tell you what, I never knew how much I'd miss Matt Vasgersian as a baseball commentator. I now have a great appreciation for what Matt used to provide when he was the Padres commentator. I think Enberg might have been ok a while back but I think calling 120+ ball games in a season is probably a bit much for him now.

Enberg's best days were doing NFL games w/ Merlin Olsen. As a Pads announcer, I always hope when he takes leave to do the US Tennis Open, that he never comes back to Padre-land. Unfortunately, he always returns. I think Enberg's role model is Jerry Coleman.

[Fred]

Dave,

I didn't want to bring up Jerry Coleman because I like that guy... but yes, his better days were in the past. I'll always enjoy Jerry because he's Jerry. I hate to admit it but I like Mark Grant, he's a good commentator, even if he's usually the side-kick.