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Joe McConnell recovering from vision problems

Wow! That name takes me back! I definitely remember him! I hope he can continue broadcasting! On a related note, doesn't it seem like Cub announcers have had a wider following than Sox announcers? It seems like many Sox announcers from the past have virtually vanished into thin air with short stays, but the Cub announcers have either enjoyed a lengthy career with the Cubs, or are still at it in other markets.
 
Brian wrote:
It seems like many Sox announcers from the past have virtually vanished into thin air with short stays, but the Cub announcers have either enjoyed a lengthy career with the Cubs, or are still at it in other markets.


This would be good as a separate topic, but I agree with you, while at the same time wishing the current White Sox broadcasters would vanish into thin air. White Sox management seems to forget this is one of the 3 biggest media markets in the US. The Cubs realize the need to keep their broadcasts interesting while floundering in the standings most seasons. Sox ownership has never caught on to this. Joe McConnell was a holdover from the Bill Veeck ownership.

It is so ironic that Reinsdorf has so quickly let go of top notch true broadcasters upon championship seasons. The Bulls' first championship season was also Jim Durham's last after something like 17 years. And the Sox' world championship in '05 unfortunately marked the end of a great run by John Rooney.

Other than Rooney, the one year of Gary Thorne in the TV booth before Gary returned to NYC was our only chance. The radio and TV broadcasting crews of the last 2 seasons are a total embarrassment. The Cubs have been careful and thorough with their selections. Only Joe Carter disappointed to the point of not being hired in other markets and continuing.

But to tie this thread together, it is disappointing that Joe McConnell is in West Lafayette while in Chicago we have the likes of Horrible-son and Singleton on White Sox radio and TV, and Jeff Joniak as the best they can offer on Bears radio, because he happened to be doing sportscasts for the station.
 
Y'all, please read the article that was posted. It said he had a series of Double Vision episodes on 2006 but it seems to have gone away and not returned. Double vision can be cause by a number a reasons, including stress.

About him being in West Lafayette and not in the Big City; to some, they long for a "dream job" which may or may not include bumping heads in places like Chicago, L.A. or New York. Places like West Lafayette, South Bend, Stillwater, Manhattan, Ks, Columbia Mi. You make a good dollar and live in a great environment with a lower cost of living. You become the "voice of..." plus do pick-up assignments from ESPN+ and now, maybe BTN, etc.

Just look at the play by play voices for many of the D-1 teams. many are well known names who have settled into a college town lifestyle. If your 29-32, that seems quite foreign. If you're 40-45, it my seem very appetizing.

Been there, done that.
 
I used to love listening to McConnell on the Bears games. You hear him often whenever they show Payton setting the (then) all-time rushing mark. He was followed by Larivee, who was also very good. Joniak, IMO is awful for radio.
 
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