TBS - MLB Postseason Announcers

[KeithE4]

Per the Chicago Tribune, the TBS broadcast teams are (so far):

NL
Cubs - Diamondbacks: Don Orsillo & Joe Simpson
Phillies - Padres/Rockies: Not announced yet (either Dick Stockton or Ted Robinson, with Tony Gwynn as analyst since the others are already assigned)

Unfortunately, the Tribune got it totally wrong as far as the D'backs/Cubs series.

Dick Stockton and Ron Darling are doing that one and both are absolutely horrible. Stockton's forte is football and it shows. He was totally unprepared for this series - getting names and facts so wrong that he sounds like Harry Caray-circa-1996, only sober - including calling Jorge Julio "Julio Jorge" yesterday. Maybe I should take back the "sober" part. Have another beer, Harry - I mean, Dick.

And exactly what game is Darling broadcasting? Not the one I'm watching. He's inept in every sense of the word. I'm actually wishing Joe Buck & Tim McCarver were doing this series. That's how bad it is.

One suggestion for TBS: I know baseball isn't his sport, but next year, replace Frank Thomas and Cal Ripken with Charles Barkley. At least he's entertaining. Thomas & Ripkin are boring.

Here are some comments on Game 1 from a Cub fan: Link: Thunder Matt's Saloon

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

Unfortunately, the Tribune got it totally wrong as far as the D'backs/Cubs series.

Dick Stockton and Ron Darling are doing that one and both are absolutely horrible. Stockton's forte is football and it shows. He was totally unprepared for this series - getting names and facts so wrong that he sounds like Harry Caray-circa-1996, only sober - including calling Jorge Julio "Julio Jorge" yesterday. Maybe I should take back the "sober" part. Have another beer, Harry - I mean, Dick.

And exactly what game is Darling broadcasting? Not the one I'm watching. He's inept in every sense of the word. I'm actually wishing Joe Buck & Tim McCarver were doing this series. That's how bad it is.

One suggestion for TBS: I know baseball isn't his sport, but next year, replace Frank Thomas and Cal Ripken with Charles Barkley. At least he's entertaining. Thomas & Ripkin are boring.

Here are some comments on Game 1 from a Cub fan: Link: Thunder Matt's Saloon

On the contrary, Ron Darling's analysis has been pretty solid. He's been that way for the past two years I've seen him on New York Mets games televised by Sportsnet New York and WPIX. As for Dick Stockton, well, you get what you get from him at this point in his career.

Having said that, we all know that sometimes the analyst brings out the best in the play-by-play man, and vice-versa. Perhaps the Stockton/Darling team leaves something to be desired. It's the same way in the studio, where Ernie Johnson Jr. is obviously carrying Frank Thomas and (to a lesser extent) Cal Ripken Jr. Thomas is as horrible a broadcaster as he was a first baseman. Ripken is okay, but he'll have an easier time growing into that role.

 

[DToTheJ]

The way the opening series are playing out, if this year's World Series matchup ends up being Cleveland vs. Colorado, what are the odds that Fox will try and pawn off this year's World Series coverage to TBS? ;D

 

[Smittian]

If the Yankees or Red Sox are not involved, I doubt either of them will want to carry it. It was pretty funny listening to the announcers last night slobbering all over the Yankees.............while they were getting pounded 12-3 ;D

 

[Vandelay]

TBS is doing a much better job than Fox with the coverage.
When will Fox realize that nobody likes Tim McCarver except Tim McCarver.

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

TBS is doing a much better job than Fox with the coverage.
When will Fox realize that nobody likes Tim McCarver except Tim McCarver.

What is with this hatred of Tim McCarver here? He's been one of the better analysts on television for the last 25 years -- PERIOD. Don't hate, just recognize.

 

[BRNout]

TBS is doing a much better job than Fox with the coverage.
When will Fox realize that nobody likes Tim McCarver except Tim McCarver.

I just don't get your comment "Art," TBS's broadcast team for the Red Sox-Angels game the other night was horrible! The most boring announcers ever! A really embarrassing production for a national broadcast. I truly hope that tonight's game feature some different voices in the booth because Wednesday was absolutely bush-league.

FOX' coverage is far superior and, frankly, NESN's coverage would be better still.

 

[Vandelay]

I don't understand the McCarver lovers and am frankly amazed that there are even some out there who's name isn't McCarver or Buck.
Whenever the baboon is on and it is a game I want to see, it means it is time to watch it on the radio.
McCarver, who was a below average player, is even worse as a broadcaster.
His comments are inane at best and his personality on air is better than his personality in person, but then again you are electronically shielded from his ego which is the size of Nebraska.

 

[KeithE4]

If the Yankees or Red Sox are not involved, I doubt either of them will want to carry it. It was pretty funny listening to the announcers last night slobbering all over the Yankees.............while they were getting pounded 12-3 ;D

If the World Series doesn't involved the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, or Cubs (yeah, right!), the networks want no part of it. They're probably the only teams that have a true national following (especially among advertisers) and would attract viewers outside of hard-core baseball fans who'll watch the series no matter what.

If the series involves two of the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Indians, and Angels, expect little-to-no enthusiasm from Buck & McCarver. No eastern teams, and the Angels are the comparatively unimportant second team in their market, like the White Sox, Mets, and A's are in theirs.

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

I don't understand the McCarver lovers and am frankly amazed that there are even some out there who's name isn't McCarver or Buck.

First of all, I am not a "McCarver lover" in whatever warped terms you have of that sense. I just recognize that he has been one of the better analysts for as long as I can remember. There's a reason why he keeps getting national work (with ABC, CBS, and Fox) for a reason. I'd like to think that it's because he's good at what he does.

Whenever the baboon is on and it is a game I want to see, it means it is time to watch it on the radio.
McCarver, who was a below average player, is even worse as a broadcaster.

Hmm, let's see...McCarver was the World Series MVP in 1964, and he lasted over 20 years in the major leagues. He was talented enough as a catcher to earn the trust of Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton. Doesn't sound like "below average" to me.

One more thing: Bob Uecker and Jerry Coleman were average players (below average, in Uecker's case) who somehow turned Hall of Fame broadcasters. Go figure.

His comments are inane at best and his personality on air is better than his personality in person, but then again you are electronically shielded from his ego which is the size of Nebraska.

How would you know that? Have you met the man in person? Give it a rest.