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Cleveland Sportscasters

V

vjm

Here is a water cooler question for you.

With the announcement of "Sportstime Ohio" and Jim Donovan being named as play by play for Tribe games on channel 3, in my opinion that makes him the most powerful sportscaster in Cleveland media today (print, tv, or radio).

Donovan is:

Sports Director for TV-3
Browns Radio Play by Play
Indians TV Play by Play

The last sportscaster to have that much exposure in town was Ken Coleman.

He did Browns, Tribe and sports anchoring (on TV-5 I believe) throughout the early and mid 60's.

If not Donovan, What current personality do you think has the most influence as far as sportscasters in town (radio, tv, or print)?
 
Now that we've talked exposure, lets talk quality.

Nobody beats Gib Shanley at football radio play by play. Also, biting commentary on TV (have an Iranian flag handy?). Also hosted the Quarterback Club (video replays..not highlights).

Nev Chandler, very good, but not in Gib's class.

Casey and Donovan, mediocre at football play by play. Jimmy's a pro, but a bit hype. Much better suited for TV sports anchor. Powerful ad libber. Casey at his best delivering radio sportscasts. Context and writing second to none. (God bless on recovery. Second operation today went well).

Stating the obvious...Joe Tait, king of the basketball court. Was also excellent at baseball radio play by play.

Jim Mueller..ok radio football color man. Did play by play one year and you never knew what was going on. Terrible interviewer on the post-game show. Strong suit was TV sports anchor.

Vague memories of Jim Grainer, Bob Neal, Harry Jones. Too young to form an opinion.


> Here is a water cooler question for you.
>
> With the announcement of "Sportstime Ohio" and Jim Donovan
> being named as play by play for Tribe games on channel 3, in
> my opinion that makes him the most powerful sportscaster in
> Cleveland media today (print, tv, or radio).
>
> Donovan is:
>
> Sports Director for TV-3
> Browns Radio Play by Play
> Indians TV Play by Play
>
> The last sportscaster to have that much exposure in town was
> Ken Coleman.
>
> He did Browns, Tribe and sports anchoring (on TV-5 I
> believe) throughout the early and mid 60's.
>
> If not Donovan, What current personality do you think has
> the most influence as far as sportscasters in town (radio,
> tv, or print)?
>
 
Re: Seriously??

Ok..so here's your chance to back up what you just wrote...why do you think those guys aren't respected??

Les Levine will have a giant role in the new SportsTime Network, details to follow. Les had one of the more entertaining radio shows this city has ever heard. His shows with Hal remain some of the most intriguing sports radio/television in the area.

As for Tony Rizzo - his sports segement continually devours the competition. If you think it's simply b/c he's on fox, then why did fox remove the Telich from the tag-team formular, and stick with the Riz.

And what's your beef with Tony Grossi??

Looking forward to your feedback ProBrokeEngineer.
 
> Now that we've talked exposure, lets talk quality.
>
> Nobody beats Gib Shanley at football radio play by play.
> Also, biting commentary on TV (have an Iranian flag handy?).
> Also hosted the Quarterback Club (video replays..not
> highlights).
>
> Nev Chandler, very good, but not in Gib's class.
>
> Casey and Donovan, mediocre at football play by play.
> Jimmy's a pro, but a bit hype. Much better suited for TV
> sports anchor. Powerful ad libber. Casey at his best
> delivering radio sportscasts. Context and writing second to
> none. (God bless on recovery. Second operation today went
> well).
>
> Stating the obvious...Joe Tait, king of the basketball
> court. Was also excellent at baseball radio play by play.
>
> Jim Mueller..ok radio football color man. Did play by play
> one year and you never knew what was going on. Terrible
> interviewer on the post-game show. Strong suit was TV
> sports anchor.
>
> Vague memories of Jim Grainer, Bob Neal, Harry Jones. Too
> young to form an opinion.

I was born twenty years too late to remember Bob Neal, but he did host the morning slot on WERE/1300 in the 60's, in addition to calling Indians games at the same time. (On radio or TV? I know he alternated between both during the 50's and 60's, obviously between WXEL/WJW-TV and WERE. Forgive me, but I don't have my media guide copy on hand right now...)

Also, one Jack Graney was the first former professional athlete to assume a broadcasting position. He took over for WTAM/1070*'s Tom Manning in 1936 as Indians PBP voice, when WHK/1390* started to carry the games. (Tom, BTW, started to work full-time for NBC, WTAM's owner, well into the 1950's.) From what I've read, Jim was so respected and admired by the fans that he himself stuck around as a broadcaster (IIRC, from WHK to WJW/850 to WERE) well into the 50's.

* Freq. before the NARBA shift of 1941...

- Nathan Obral<P ID="signature">______________
WTAM/1100: An Abuse of Radio Power!</P>
 
Re: Seriously??

> Ok..so here's your chance to back up what you just
> wrote...why do you think those guys aren't respected??
>
> Les Levine will have a giant role in the new SportsTime
> Network, details to follow. Les had one of the more
> entertaining radio shows this city has ever heard. His shows
> with Hal remain some of the most intriguing sports
> radio/television in the area.
>
> As for Tony Rizzo - his sports segement continually devours
> the competition. If you think it's simply b/c he's on fox,
> then why did fox remove the Telich from the tag-team
> formular, and stick with the Riz.
>
> And what's your beef with Tony Grossi??
>
> Looking forward to your feedback ProBrokeEngineer.

I think the original poster was going for the most "powerful" as in The number of sports he did and longevity..Ken Coleman was the play-by-play guy for the Browns and Indians AND a major TV sports anchor. I have posted on the Classic TV Board schedules of Cleveland where Coleman is a major presence on all three channels from the early 1950's-Mid 60's.

Les and the Tonys are definitely major personalities, but you cant put them in a class with Coleman (Ken or Casey)or Jim Donovan, I put Les. etc..with folks like Greg Brinda, Pete Franklin, and to a lesser extent Kenny Roda
>
 
Re: Seriously??

Sorry, but Greg Brinda, Les Levine and Kenny Roda do not rate the same list as Pete Franklin, and I think they would agree with that.

Peter J. Franklin is a legend in the class of Coleman Sr., Jimmy Dudley, Grainer, Shanley and Tait. These men set the standard for local sports broadcasting.

>
> Les and the Tonys are definitely major personalities, but
> you cant put them in a class with Coleman (Ken or Casey)or
> Jim Donovan, I put Les. etc..with folks like Greg Brinda,
> Pete Franklin, and to a lesser extent Kenny Roda
> >
>
 
Here ya go...

Well, I think the orginal post (as I took it) to mean most influencial in this area. Ken Coleman is the standard by which all others are judged in this area. I never did care for Casey's delivery and the sound of his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. I really think he is living off of his dad's name. I do hope he is well and comes thru this well. I just do not care for his sports technique. With all that being said, there is no way Rizzo or the others are in the same league. I have talked with Rizzo many times at various events on everything from golf to pro wrestling but that weeooo (BLEEP) drives me nuts. Grossi does a great job writing along with Hoynes, they sound out of their element everytime I hear them. Years ago I board op-ed many an Indians game in which these 2 were on during the beat writers segment.
I really liked Nev's play by play and really miss him doing the games now. I think Jimmy Donovan does a good job but gets dragged down by the retard Dieken next to him. Tom Hamilton does a superb job for the Indians and wish he did more innings cause Hegan should never do play by play. Tait is money on the Cavs but I think he is getting tired of it cause you can hear it some of the games.
Now, that is my opinion on the topic, no offence was meant by my post and hope you see it that way.
 
Re: Seriously??

> Sorry, but Greg Brinda, Les Levine and Kenny Roda do not
> rate the same list as Pete Franklin, and I think they would
> agree with that.
>
> Peter J. Franklin is a legend in the class of Coleman Sr.,
> Jimmy Dudley, Grainer, Shanley and Tait. These men set the
> standard for local sports broadcasting.
> >
>

When you look at Sportstalk hosts, Franklin has to be number one..Give credit to the others for longevity in the market..As far as the others mentioned, they are the Giants of Cleveland Sports Media.
 
I Just Wonder

> When you look at Sportstalk hosts, Franklin has to be number
> one..Give credit to the others for longevity in the
> market..As far as the others mentioned, they are the Giants
> of Cleveland Sports Media.
>
I wonder how many Pete Franklin "clones" are on the airwaves today. It would be refreshing to go back to the day when we would consider "pushing the envelope" Pete calling a caller he didn't agree with a scumbag, right before he cut them off.
 
Re: I Just Wonder

Remember how he would cut kids off and tell them to go to bed? I had the opportunity to call his show after opening day 1974. Gaylord Perry was on his show..my idol at the time. Man, was I nervous. Pete did allow me enough time to ask my question though.

He was a trailblazer to be sure. I agree that the "clones" you speak of have taken talk radio to another level...a level down. Not only in sports talk, but general talk too. I believe one reaches for that lower level when they lack an ingredient that Pete had...talent. Plus, there just so much talk radio these days, the talent pool can't keep up.

But now we live in a time when Springer and Triv pull large numbers. I don't begrudge them...but I don't have to like it either.


> >
> I wonder how many Pete Franklin "clones" are on the airwaves
> today. It would be refreshing to go back to the day when we
> would consider "pushing the envelope" Pete calling a caller
> he didn't agree with a scumbag, right before he cut them
> off.
>
 
Re: I Just Wonder

First off, welcome to the board, signwave, It's good to have old folks like us that experienced history and not just read about it(by the way, this is just my feeble attempt at humor). I am a proud member of the "I've been cut off by Pete Franklin" club. I agree with the clones bringing the level down. Now the game is "Lets see what we can get past the FCC. And if they get penalized for it, then big brother is taking away their "freedom of speech". Wah, wah.

Getting back to the original topic. I remember when Joe Tait had both the Cavs, and the Indians play by play. This was 1974, and I was in broadcasting school. One of the instructors was Les Levine. He put in several pot shots at Mr. Tait, and even admitted that he was jealous that Joe had both jobs, and he only did CSU basketball. Les Levine's show on WHK, pre salem, sounded like a cross between Pete and Gary Dee.
 
Re: I Just Wonder

I don't know. I haven't been a Levine watcher over the years, in fact, I don't think I've ever heard or seen that much of him. He always seems to be on the peripheral...part-time stuff, cable, local access, Web casting..never seems to hit the big time...if you know what I mean. If I'm wrong (and I could be) he's never had a big time gig on anything I listen to or watch.

Thanks for the welcome.


> Getting back to the original topic. I remember when Joe Tait
> had both the Cavs, and the Indians play by play. This was
> 1974, and I was in broadcasting school. One of the
> instructors was Les Levine. He put in several pot shots at
> Mr. Tait, and even admitted that he was jealous that Joe had
> both jobs, and he only did CSU basketball. Les Levine's show
> on WHK, pre salem, sounded like a cross between Pete and
> Gary Dee.
>
 
Re: Franklin's ending song

How about Franklin and his song at the end of the show, would anyone know the name, recall something like, "GOOD NIGHT GOOD NIGHT".

How about Jeff Sindlar, had a good perspective on history and was in depth with collectables.

Bruce Drenan, did anyone catch him when the tribe played the reds and he went off on the red's sports radio guy, I think it was on the extra inning on 1100am radio, he drilled the guy live on the radio..




> I don't know. I haven't been a Levine watcher over the
> years, in fact, I don't think I've ever heard or seen that
> much of him. He always seems to be on the
> peripheral...part-time stuff, cable, local access, Web
> casting..never seems to hit the big time...if you know what
> I mean. If I'm wrong (and I could be) he's never had a big
> time gig on anything I listen to or watch.
>
> Thanks for the welcome.
>
>
> > Getting back to the original topic. I remember when Joe
> Tait
> > had both the Cavs, and the Indians play by play. This was
> > 1974, and I was in broadcasting school. One of the
> > instructors was Les Levine. He put in several pot shots at
>
> > Mr. Tait, and even admitted that he was jealous that Joe
> had
> > both jobs, and he only did CSU basketball. Les Levine's
> show
> > on WHK, pre salem, sounded like a cross between Pete and
> > Gary Dee.
> >
>
 
Re: Franklin's ending song

> How about Franklin and his song at the end of the show,
> would anyone know the name, recall something like, "GOOD
> NIGHT GOOD NIGHT".

That was Jimmy Durante who did that song.
 
Re: Franklin's ending song

"I see that my time is up. Thank you very much for your time."



> > How about Franklin and his song at the end of the show,
> > would anyone know the name, recall something like, "GOOD
> > NIGHT GOOD NIGHT".
>
> That was Jimmy Durante who did that song.
>
 
Re: I Just Wonder

> I don't know. I haven't been a Levine watcher over the
> years, in fact, I don't think I've ever heard or seen that
> much of him. He always seems to be on the
> peripheral...part-time stuff, cable, local access, Web
> casting..never seems to hit the big time...if you know what
> I mean. If I'm wrong (and I could be) he's never had a big
> time gig on anything I listen to or watch.
>
> Thanks for the welcome.
>
>

Its been quite sometime since les levin has done much, except for his cable show on adelphia. You always hear his name mentioned alot on this board. but have you ever wondered why he has not done much else. Maybe because he has burned so many bridges in town. If that were not the case, don't you think he'd be on KNR or a WTAM. If you ask those in the know, some may say that is his problem.
 
Franklin clones

>
> How about Jeff Sindlar, had a good perspective on history
> and was in depth with collectables.
Sindelar(the Professor) and Triv(Mr. Know it all) are two classic examples of what I mean about Franklin clones. I wonder what the "Swami" ands the "Prosecutor" are up to now a days.


WIXYGrad
Post 74 in Honor of the year I graduated from the WIXY School of Broadcast Technique.(With apologies to Nathan Orbral aka Nate81 for stealing his gimmick)
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by WIXYGrad on 02/25/06 09:58 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Franklin's late night show

> "I see that my time is up. Thank you very much for your
> time."
>
>
>
> > > How about Franklin and his song at the end of the show,
> > > would anyone know the name, recall something like, "GOOD
>
> > > NIGHT GOOD NIGHT".
> >
> > That was Jimmy Durante who did that song.
> >
>
I remember when Pete was on WERE in the late 60's, he did Sportsline until 10:00, then after that, he did a late show with general talk. He had a theme for that show, was it "The Stripper" or something else?
 
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