Maybe you think the starting rotation needs work, but how about _________

by cubs0505 on Feb 18, 2008 5:00 PM CST

The announcers?

With the 10th anniversary of Harry Caray's death upon us this week, perhaps the question should be raised-How good are Len and Bob?

Personally, I think Len is a decent play-by-play guy. His call on Aramis' walk-off homer against the Brewers on 6/29 still stands out to me from last year, and overall he seems to be good at his job.

Bob Brenly, on the other hand...Hearing him on WGN broadcasts makes me wonder why no team is aknockin' for his managerial skills. He did lead a team to the World Series in this decade. That said, in my opinion he often tells stories/gives technical insights that are either boring, too long or simply not-relevant.

What do you think?

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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I Am Surprised Brenly Is Not...

... the Reds manager.

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 18, 2008 5:18 PM CST reply actions

I didn't care

for Len and Bob at first, but they've grown on me. I think they do a good job of not letting their insights and opinions get in the way of the game, they have a good rapport with one another, and they give an entertaining call. I agree that Bob can prattle a bit on occasion and he gets a bit misty-eyed talking about his son's budding baseball career, but he's better than anyone FOX or ESPN offers up on the national broadcasts. I think they're a good team and I enjoy listening to them.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Feb 18, 2008 5:23 PM CST reply actions

agree 10000%

there not the best but they sure are better than most.

GO CUBS GO!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Feb 18, 2008 6:10 PM CST reply actions

Brenly has really come into...

..his own as a color man. He was pretty timid his first year. He speaks his mind now and has very good chemistry with Len. I like them both..

"from time to time"

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Feb 18, 2008 6:38 PM CST reply actions

I enjoy both

Len and Bob. I think they work very well together.

"But being a nasty hateful person she can't help herself." KOW

by sue369 on Feb 18, 2008 6:40 PM CST reply actions

Len and Bob

I like the two of them working together. Bob has become much more outspoken as a Cubs broadcaster than he was his first year or so. I really like Len. Is he the best, no, but he's better than most broadcasters his age and I see him really developing into one of the better in the game as he hits his 40's.

DmL

by dmlichte on Feb 18, 2008 7:08 PM CST reply actions

The only fault I can find with Len and Bob

is that I often find that they are talking about other things, and sometimes leave us wanting for information. For example, I often find myself wondering, "when you went out to dinner last night, who picked up the check?" THEY DON'T TELL US THESE THINGS AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF.

by HereComesASpecialBoy on Feb 18, 2008 10:58 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, but.....

That was a Harry/Steve/Arne schtick, and Chip Caray kind of continued that tradition when he got there. I think it's good that Len and Bob have not tried to copy that. I know it was all an act with Harry and Steve, but it would sound too fake if Len and Bob started to do it.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 19, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

overall they're pretty good

Len's a pretty good color guy, he knows what he's talking about and isn't afraid to talk about some of the new Sabermetrics stats like a lot of 'old guard' announcers are. he's also good at avoiding any forced drama.

Bob's okay. he's not great, but he can be funny and knows when to shut up. I know you need 'color' guys to keep people interested during really boring games, and Brenly's infinitely better than some of the national guys (Joe Morgan needs to check a calendar to see what century we're in and Tim McCarver just annoys the crap out of me every time he opens his mouth). I also think Brenly deserves another managers job somewhere.

by petrie on Feb 18, 2008 11:46 PM CST reply actions

RE:

No doubt, Joe Morgan and Jon Miller are the worst broadcasting duo I have ever seen in my life......I would rather watch games with Rush Limbaugh and Dennis Miller......

Joe Morgan is a vile human being, and the world would be a better place without him.

Super Mario Galaxy! Get it NOW!

by TheBeerBaron on Feb 19, 2008 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

Len and Bob

IMO are among the best around the league. After a cable-free summer spent moving to Wisconsin I watched almost every game on MLBtv in 2006 I noticed how either boring, homerific or downright obnoxious most other duos are.

by morgane on Feb 19, 2008 12:04 AM CST reply actions

I really like Len and Bob

A switch in announcers inevitably takes time to adjust to but I for one enjoy their broadcasts.

MMMMM...Nutrisystem!

by Kinky Reggae on Feb 19, 2008 8:15 AM CST reply actions

Len and Bob are great....

Sure, I'd like a booth of Len and Steve Stone.....or even better...Pat Hughes and Steve Stone......but it's good.

Ron Santo is terrible, of course we all love his passion....but he's terrible on the air.

Super Mario Galaxy! Get it NOW!

by TheBeerBaron on Feb 19, 2008 9:40 AM CST reply actions

I like Len and Bob

they do a solid job and I think Brenly can be entertaining and very insightful.

A play by play man on TV doesn't have to be a world beater (radio is much more difficult), they just need to be pleasant to listen to and not overdue it. Compared to Stone, I like Brenly. Stone was much too arrogant for my taste and after talking to some people who have known him off the air, I can see why that relationship fell apart in 04.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 19, 2008 9:54 AM CST reply actions

I love Len

because without him, I wouldn't be able to hear Dan Bernstein's Len Kasper impression!

Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!

by SackMan on Feb 19, 2008 10:48 AM CST reply actions

disagree on your bob assesment

i love brenly, i think his jokes are usually funny as hell and he gives great insight. i was a little depressed when i learned that chip and stone were both out a few years ago, but ive learned to love this duo even more. the fact that they seem to genuinely want the cubs to win and are "fans" of the team is something that i appreciate and enjoy.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Feb 19, 2008 11:45 AM CST reply actions

pat and ron!!

i think pat and ronnie should switch with len and bob.i sometimes switch over to radio and turn the volume off on the tv!pat hughes is a true pro and ron is the perfect compliment!brenly has zero personality and len makes far too many excuses for players instead of calling it like he sees it ala harry caray!!!where is steve stone when you need him!

by cubz409 on Feb 19, 2008 11:53 AM CST reply actions

Sometimes when listening on the radio

I turn off the sound and watch on gameday.

Ron does a lot of great things for this world and I wish him well, but I'd much rather have Brenly doing the color and analysis.

I want the people I'm listening to give me insight that I otherwise wouldn't have and Ron just doesn't provide that.

Pat Hughes and Len Kasper are top notch play callers, I like em both.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Feb 19, 2008 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

wow

brenly has zero personality? you're watching a different telecast than i have been the last few years.

pat and bob would make an incredible team imo.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Feb 19, 2008 12:28 PM CST up reply actions

No doubt about Pat and Bob.

They would be an awesome team, but I still think there is a place for the Pat and Ron show, because Pat plays the perfect straight man role to Ron's cluelessness. I still enjoy listening to Pat and Ron because for all of Ronnie's gaffes, the guy just embodies what being a Cub fan is all about, and I love him for it.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 19, 2008 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

oh without a doubt

i wouldnt give up the pat and ron combo, i absolutely love listening to the cubs on the radio, and pat is the perfect (and probalby only) person who can work well with ron.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Feb 19, 2008 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

Pat and Ron

Pat Hughes speaks in too much of a cliche baseball voice for my liking. His voice inflections drive me nuts. I love Ron Santo to death, but his only purpose is to serve as cheerleader. He couldn't tell you the names of the five other teams in the National League Central if you spotted him the St. Louis Cardinals. He offers nothing beyond unbridled enthusiasm.

by MDBNIU on Feb 19, 2008 1:48 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know...

Pat and Ron have a unique comedic rapport between the two. Pat and Bob would seem to dry for my taste. I think would be comparable to when Ron's spot is being filled by Dave Otto, it's just not the same energy level, IMO.

by JFG72 on Feb 19, 2008 1:54 PM CST up reply actions

really?

i love it when otto comes on, he actually adds to the broadcast with good commentary imo.

i love the sense of humor of both pat and bob, and think they would be very entertaining together.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Feb 19, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

excuses!

i can't stand guys who make excuses for players when they make a mistake and kasper does it ALL year long.that's just one of the things i liked about harry!!!!!he wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind!!!God bless him.

by cubz409 on Feb 19, 2008 10:20 PM CST reply actions