Kasper and Brenly the best?

by rolltider27 on Jun 27, 2005 12:58 AM CDT

The following item comes from Peter Gammons' latest article on ESPN's web site:

"Thanks to DirecTV, the MLB package and all the games on ESPN.com, we all get to hear local announcers throughout the game, a treat when they are analytical and balanced. A small poll I did came up with the Giants (Duane Kuiper, Mike Krukow), Yankees (Jim Kaat, Michael Kay, Ken Singleton, Paul O'Neill) and Cubs (Len Kasper, Bob Brenly) as the best announcers, although New Englanders worship Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo."

Just who did he poll? There's also a list of batters hitting with the most men on base. Burnitz is the only Cubbie in the top 10, and he's 9th.

To read it all: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=2095057

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Brenley

I've really warmed up to Brenly. He's no Steve Stone, but he is very in tune with the game, and has made watching on WGN an enjoyable experience (because it never is when Comcast is broadcasting the game).

AC026097

by gjdow on Jun 27, 2005 1:59 AM CDT reply actions

Brenley

I can't say I've "warmed up" to him as you say, but I think he's gotten better (or at least less annoying) as the season has rolled on. He still is too willing to make excuses for players, but now he's at least able to say a few things beyond the obvious.

I still like Kaspar a lot. I know that some think he's dull and that he doesn't have a HR call. I think he just takes a much more intellectual approach to the game (which a lot of people reading and writing blogs take) and that leads to some people who don't thinking he's dull. He's working on his HR call, which isn't the most important thing as an announcer, despite what some people think.

His "word of the day" thing has the potential to be just as dumb and just as beloved as Pat and Ron's attendance game. It's one of those silly quirks that liven up dull games.

Get in touch with your inner Neifi

by Josh Timmers on Jun 27, 2005 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Burnitz w/ men on base

Fairly obvious the only reason this is the case is because D-Lee is ahead of him in the order.

http://www.scacchoops.com

by jonpyardi on Jun 27, 2005 7:07 AM CDT reply actions

Yankee Announcers

What disturbs me about the broadcasters is how much i loathe the Yankee coverage. Mainly because of Michael Kaye. Come on that guy is a joke in my opinion.

by cubsfan315 on Jun 27, 2005 10:35 AM CDT reply actions

Hawk

I'm just glad that's the last time I have to listen to Hawk Harrelson this year. They should "put Hawk on the board" and get a decent announcer.

Hey Chicago What Do You Say, The Cubs Are Gonna Win Today!

by Andy @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jun 27, 2005 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

Agree on Hawk

I couldn't agree more on never wanting to listen to "the Hawk" (come on...we all know there's only one Hawk in Chicago).
If I ever hear "he gone" again I may lose it. I was so frustrated during the first game of the series that he almost pushed me over the edge with this ridiculous phrase. I felt better after sending him an email, letting him in on the secret that he sounds like an idiot.

by BringBackRyno on Jun 27, 2005 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

'He Gone' & my 5 yo

I made the mistake of comically mimicking Hawk's P.O.S. line during the broadcast - and my 5 yo picked up on it and began repeating 'He Gone'...'He Gone'...'He Gone' like a broken record for the next 15 minutes. Finally, I had to ask my wife to take the kids into the pool before I ran out screaming into the street.

Next time, I'll make a special effort to:
not watch any more Sox games on WGN,
utter the 'BG' words in the presence of Andrew ever again,
make sure the kids turn out to be loyal Cubs fans.

by JFCubFan on Jun 27, 2005 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

What's even worse and goofier...

... is hearing hundreds of Sox fans yelling "he gone" at the ballpark when an opponent strikes out.

Someone tell those people that they're actually at the game, not watching it on TV!

by Al Yellon on Jun 27, 2005 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

clip the Hawk's wings

Agreed on Harrelson. I don't live in Chicago, and Sunday's game was probably the first time I've heard him at great length. Painful! And for much more than just "He gone!"

By the way, was that the same Darrin Jackson -- the former Cub with the odd batting stance who shares a 1988 Fleer rookie card with Mark Grace?

by rolltider27 on Jun 27, 2005 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Yup, that's the same guy...

... in fact, I own one of his game-worn jerseys from that 1988 season.

by Al Yellon on Jun 27, 2005 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Nothing is more fun

than listening to Hawk in the last 6 or so weeks of the season, after the Sox have perenially folded and he's just ticked off at the world. After a bad play last year, he just stopped talking for a good 5-10 minutes. It was hilarious, listening to DJ trying to fill up space all on his own---he didn't know if he should start doing play by play, or just keep doing color. It came out as sort of mish-mash of everything---if you were listening on the radio, you would have had no idea what was going on. Hawk finally started talking again, but grudgingly--it was like pulling teeth for DJ to get him to do any more than the bare minimum. Hi-freakin-larious.

Hey-Dawson backwards is Noswad!---Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on Jun 27, 2005 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

You Were Always on My Mind...

Pretty funny stuff; an article praising the Cubs announcers quickly turns into a rant against the Hawk. I enjoy the Hawk and his ravings.

by cnobody on Jun 28, 2005 7:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Kasper=Good Brenly=not so much

I have started to enjoy Len's broadcast. Brenly sometimes needs to add some insight. He keeps quiet when it is obvious that Len is waiting for him to add something. The contrasting color commentary was clear when I heard Stoney on the Friday night ESPN broadcast.

by victor @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jun 27, 2005 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

It takes a while....

....for chemistry to devlop in the booth. Len and Bren are slowly coming together. As easy as it seems -- any sportscasting is NOT easy. I think we can agree this is better than the train wreck that was the Caray/Carter tandem.

And, of course, even as these two find their way -- any portion of their work is light years better than the dreck pumped out by Hawk Harrelson.

I did not read the Gammons piece yet -- but any game called by Vin Scully (the ONLY broadcaster in MLB working alone) is a work of art.

And speaking of garbage, there are plenty of mediocre sportscasters involved in MLB -- the mirror opposite of what Gammons is relating...just try to enjoy the Milwaukee 'cast on FSN North if you are not a Brewers fan. The duo in KC (but, honestly, they have nothing to work with) call a game as if they are working a gig at a funeral home.

The Padres 'casts are not featured on any of the MLB packages, but that's just as well -- Matt Vasgergan 's HR calls sometimes feature -- opera, (I'm not even going to try to explain that) and his many "I'm too hip for the room' pop culture references are insufferable.

by Smooth Jazz Man San Diego on Jun 27, 2005 10:24 PM CDT reply actions