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Mike Lange Signs for One More Year as Announcer for Penguins
- Thread starter Tim the Impounder
- Start date
B
bub
Guest
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee shoots and scores!
Oh, Granny, get in the fast lane, the bingo game is about to begin! ;D
Oh, Granny, get in the fast lane, the bingo game is about to begin! ;D
Mike never would have gotten booted from TV, but his attitude alienated everyone over the years and made it easy to support dumping him. Mike is a diva, and the people at Fox got sick of it.
The folks at Fox were more sick of his contract. Yeah Mike can be a pain when the mood suits him, but the Fox people were more worried about the pain he was causing them in the wallet. Mario forced their hand on Mike's last deal and they weren't wild about that either.
Fox wants shiny, happy announcer clones who don't make a whole lot of money. They settled on a less than shiny, happy Staggy because he makes less money and was a fast fix to what could have been a PR meltdown.
There are some hard feelings between FSN and some folks in the Pens front office about the way things were handled and I fully expect that the team is going demand last say on broadcasters in the next contract.
Fox wants shiny, happy announcer clones who don't make a whole lot of money. They settled on a less than shiny, happy Staggy because he makes less money and was a fast fix to what could have been a PR meltdown.
There are some hard feelings between FSN and some folks in the Pens front office about the way things were handled and I fully expect that the team is going demand last say on broadcasters in the next contract.
Steigy isn't making that much less than Lange was.
The problems with Mike and his attitude go back to the time that Bill Craig made noise about bringing Don Cherry in for the Pens telecasts. That was mostly a sham to put Mike in his place. They wanted him to know they would change direction in a heartbeat, "look out Loretta" be damned.
Mike would consistently ream the producer and director, to the point that he'd get on the talkback during the games and scream, "Why the f*** are we looking at THIS?" when there was a shot he didn't like.
Coupled with the fact that Mike's act had slipped badly on TV, it was an easier decision to dump him than it should have been.
If the Pens want a say in the announcers, they're welcome to do what the Pirates do -- pay the announcers themselves.
The problems with Mike and his attitude go back to the time that Bill Craig made noise about bringing Don Cherry in for the Pens telecasts. That was mostly a sham to put Mike in his place. They wanted him to know they would change direction in a heartbeat, "look out Loretta" be damned.
Mike would consistently ream the producer and director, to the point that he'd get on the talkback during the games and scream, "Why the f*** are we looking at THIS?" when there was a shot he didn't like.
Coupled with the fact that Mike's act had slipped badly on TV, it was an easier decision to dump him than it should have been.
If the Pens want a say in the announcers, they're welcome to do what the Pirates do -- pay the announcers themselves.
Boss Radio said:Steigy isn't making that much less than Lange was.
If the Pens want a say in the announcers, they're welcome to do what the Pirates do -- pay the announcers themselves.
Yeah, we see how well that has worked for the Pirates.
How has that worked poorly for the Pirates?
The announcers can't control what's on the field!
The announcers can't control what's on the field!
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
The announcers can't control what's on the field!
Apparently, neither can the coaching staff or management of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Apparently, neither can the coaching staff or management of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
I think you are correct there, Realist!
I think you're wasting your talents commenting on Radio, Mr. Realist.
Personally, I think you should be hired PRONTO to play this devils advocate thing you do by any of the sports talk stations in town regarding the Pirates.
I mean, right now all anyone does is throw their hands up and say "This is a football town- it doesn't matter!"
Put Realist on the Nuttings, baby!
Take them to TASK!
I think you're wasting your talents commenting on Radio, Mr. Realist.
Personally, I think you should be hired PRONTO to play this devils advocate thing you do by any of the sports talk stations in town regarding the Pirates.
I mean, right now all anyone does is throw their hands up and say "This is a football town- it doesn't matter!"
Put Realist on the Nuttings, baby!
Take them to TASK!
Pratte4Life said:How has that worked poorly for the Pirates?
Whoever makes the hiring decisions on the announcers apparently thinks they have a good product on the air, as evidenced by the lack of changes when they moved to a new flagship this year, passing on the perfect opportunity to re-image the whole thing.
I don't think the Bucs have bad announcers.
I've heard the critics of Lanny Frattare. I think most of them are short-sighted- blaming him for not being Bob Prince.
Has there EVER been a more unfair criticism of a broadcaster- especially after all this time?
Brown is a kid living a dream. Yes, he sounds overly optimistic for a club in the losing streak its on, but then again- that's his job.
And he has perhaps the most original home run call I've ever heard- actually working in the color commentator!
Bob Walk has been so well received people wanted to make him MANAGER. And Steve Blass is an institution!
John Wehner could use some polish- but he's still new and growing.
Pittsburgh, as a whole, has had some FANTASTIC sportscasters throughout the years and I think the Pirates currently carry on that proud tradition.
I've heard the critics of Lanny Frattare. I think most of them are short-sighted- blaming him for not being Bob Prince.
Has there EVER been a more unfair criticism of a broadcaster- especially after all this time?
Brown is a kid living a dream. Yes, he sounds overly optimistic for a club in the losing streak its on, but then again- that's his job.
And he has perhaps the most original home run call I've ever heard- actually working in the color commentator!
Bob Walk has been so well received people wanted to make him MANAGER. And Steve Blass is an institution!
John Wehner could use some polish- but he's still new and growing.
Pittsburgh, as a whole, has had some FANTASTIC sportscasters throughout the years and I think the Pirates currently carry on that proud tradition.
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
Pratte4Life said:Personally, I think you should be hired PRONTO to play this devils advocate thing you do by any of the sports talk stations in town regarding the Pirates.
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!.
If I got that job, then I'd have to actually listen to Pirate baseball games.
There are a very very few things in life that I just won't do.
That's one of them.
Pratte4Life said:I don't think the Bucs have bad announcers.
I've heard the critics of Lanny Frattare. I think most of them are short-sighted- blaming him for not being Bob Prince.
Has there EVER been a more unfair criticism of a broadcaster- especially after all this time?
Brown is a kid living a dream. Yes, he sounds overly optimistic for a club in the losing streak its on, but then again- that's his job.
And he has perhaps the most original home run call I've ever heard- actually working in the color commentator!
Bob Walk has been so well received people wanted to make him MANAGER. And Steve Blass is an institution!
John Wehner could use some polish- but he's still new and growing.
Pittsburgh, as a whole, has had some FANTASTIC sportscasters throughout the years and I think the Pirates currently carry on that proud tradition.
In general they lack energy and are just plain boring on a lot of nights. Lanny also makes a lot of "inside" comments about getting yelled for things and not being allowed to talk avbout subjects that indicate a real undercurrent of dissatisfaction.
After 30 odd years and doing it longer than anyone in franchise history I think Lanny has earned the right to be something other than a Yes man.
Look at Marty Brenneman in Cincinnati. An institution- but also known for a quick temperment that will "tell it like it is."
Skip Caray in Atlanta is not as tempermental, but can be sarcastic and at times indifferent.
Now, Walk and Wehner do have laid back personalities. I can see where you'd see they'd lack energy.
Greg Brown most certainly does not lack energy.
Lanny has been at it for a long time- so perhaps memories of him going crazy behind the mike in the late 70s or the early 80s after a thrilling win during a pennant race don't hold water today.
The thing is after 15 years of losing- it's going to wear you down.
And would you honestly rather have Susyn Waldman?
The Pirates are very fortunate to have Lanny Frattare. I'm noticing on a lot of soundbites replayed nationally on ESPN or FOX radio they often identify Greg Brown's call as Lanny Frattare's.
Perhaps that shows the 20 something announcers of ESPN radio didn't grow up listening to baseball games on the radio on 50,000 watt radio stations the way previous generations did, but I think it shows something else.
It shows that Lanny Frattare has become synonymous to Pirates broadcasts. It shows that he is the definitive Pirates broadcaster- the way Harry Kalas is in Philly or Tom Hamilton is in Cleveland.
You hear a Pirates call- it has to be Frattare.
True, it's a slight on the other announcers and it doesn't speak well of the network guys- but it's also the sort of recognition that comes after 30 years of respected work in the field.
Look at Marty Brenneman in Cincinnati. An institution- but also known for a quick temperment that will "tell it like it is."
Skip Caray in Atlanta is not as tempermental, but can be sarcastic and at times indifferent.
Now, Walk and Wehner do have laid back personalities. I can see where you'd see they'd lack energy.
Greg Brown most certainly does not lack energy.
Lanny has been at it for a long time- so perhaps memories of him going crazy behind the mike in the late 70s or the early 80s after a thrilling win during a pennant race don't hold water today.
The thing is after 15 years of losing- it's going to wear you down.
And would you honestly rather have Susyn Waldman?
The Pirates are very fortunate to have Lanny Frattare. I'm noticing on a lot of soundbites replayed nationally on ESPN or FOX radio they often identify Greg Brown's call as Lanny Frattare's.
Perhaps that shows the 20 something announcers of ESPN radio didn't grow up listening to baseball games on the radio on 50,000 watt radio stations the way previous generations did, but I think it shows something else.
It shows that Lanny Frattare has become synonymous to Pirates broadcasts. It shows that he is the definitive Pirates broadcaster- the way Harry Kalas is in Philly or Tom Hamilton is in Cleveland.
You hear a Pirates call- it has to be Frattare.
True, it's a slight on the other announcers and it doesn't speak well of the network guys- but it's also the sort of recognition that comes after 30 years of respected work in the field.
Lanny would quit in a heartbeat except for two reasons: 1. The money is too good and 2. He's hopeful of getting the Hall of Fame award, which is now based largely on longevity. He's under contract through '09, which would take him to age 61 and give him 34 years with the Pirates.
He doesn't like to fly and he hasn't enjoyed the Pirates since Leyland and Lamont left. He doesn't feel any connection to the current regime and, in fact, hates Dave Littlefield. With the ownership changes and all the generic faces passing through, these are not the Pirates he used to know. Lanny is now happily married and doesn't need to be on the road all the time.
Last year the announcers were muzzled by a misguided marketing guy named Tim Schuldt, who quit just before the season started. Now they can say what they want, and the announcers are rightfully unloading on the horrible team and organization. (The exception is Blass, who isn't comfortable being critical).
I really don't think anyone but the oldest of the old-timers is comparing Lanny to Prince. Prince last did the Pirates full-time in 1975, which means you have to be beyond 40 to have any strong memory of Prince's work on the games, and past 50 to have heard him at his peak.
Lanny's play-by-play skills have slipped noticeably. He used to be one of the best at describing plays in detail as they unfolded. That skill isn't as strong as it was, and he's never been much for storytelling and being a personality.
He doesn't like to fly and he hasn't enjoyed the Pirates since Leyland and Lamont left. He doesn't feel any connection to the current regime and, in fact, hates Dave Littlefield. With the ownership changes and all the generic faces passing through, these are not the Pirates he used to know. Lanny is now happily married and doesn't need to be on the road all the time.
Last year the announcers were muzzled by a misguided marketing guy named Tim Schuldt, who quit just before the season started. Now they can say what they want, and the announcers are rightfully unloading on the horrible team and organization. (The exception is Blass, who isn't comfortable being critical).
I really don't think anyone but the oldest of the old-timers is comparing Lanny to Prince. Prince last did the Pirates full-time in 1975, which means you have to be beyond 40 to have any strong memory of Prince's work on the games, and past 50 to have heard him at his peak.
Lanny's play-by-play skills have slipped noticeably. He used to be one of the best at describing plays in detail as they unfolded. That skill isn't as strong as it was, and he's never been much for storytelling and being a personality.
Boss, I'll agree that only the Old Timers wax poetic to Prince.
But they undeniably have a loud voice.
But they undeniably have a loud voice.
B
bub
Guest
If anyone has any soundbites of Mike Lange calling goals and would be willing to post them here, that would be greatly appreciated.
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