MESA, Ariz- Chicago broadcaster Judd Sirott was named as host of the Cubs pre-game show and will...

MESA, Ariz- Chicago broadcaster Judd Sirott was named as host of the Cubs pre-game show and will assist Pat Hughes and Ron Santo in the radio booth. Sirott has been host of Blackhawks pregame, mostgame and intermission reports fir WGN radio, and was the voice of the Chicago Wolves from 1994-2006.

Much to everyone's chagrin...

Chicago Tribune

8 months ago chilango2 41 comments 0 recs |

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Why is it to everyone's chagrin?

Not being much of a hockey fan, I’ve never heard of the guy. Is he no good, or what?

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

by ctcoff99 on Mar 27, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He does play by play of a baseball game like it's a hockey game.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Mar 27, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When has he done baseball play-by-play?

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Mar 28, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On a couple of spring training games.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 28, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A bunch of people here don't like him

from the few games he’s done this Spring on WGN. I happen to like him.

Please note the spelling errors are by the note’s author, as I quoted the story as is.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Mar 27, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You liked hearing him?

Ugh. I thought he was awful. High-pitched squeaky voice, make factual errors, a poor man’s Cory Provus. I still don’t see why Pat Hughes can’t do the entire game.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 27, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Prostate issues?

j/k

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Mar 27, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet it's in his contract.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Mar 27, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he does it to give younger broadcaseters a chance

and it seems to work as the last two ‘pre-game hosts’ have moved on to full-time game gigs with mlb teams

by doofus cubs guy on Mar 27, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, that would not be the case...

Pat may be a nice guy, but he doesn’t give up an inning to “give another guy a chance.” He gives up an inning — probably because he has this clause written into his contract, as cowsarecool suggests. It’s break time for Pat.

I have always found this to be very strange, as NO other team has its’ main voice ‘vanish’ for an inning, unless the individual does duty in both the Radio & TV booth — as what used to happen to Vin Scully in years past — 6 on TV, 3 on radio. But that’s not the case for Scully any more, as he only works home TV, and no road games east of Denver.

It is quite a break for Sirott, as has been mentioned — both Cory Provus and Andy Masur have been able to use this as a stepping stone to REAL gigs. And to make this even more unusual, Masur was lobbying for the job that Provus took in Milwaukee.

I think Masur wants out of the Padres mess, especially with new (well, kind of new) management coming in. My guess is that Jeff Moorad will eventually sweep all the Padres voices into the dustbin next year. Only Jerry Coleman will work until he wants to retire. He’s semi-retired now, working only 3 agonizing innings per game, with minimal road trips.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 27, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is not true

NO other team has its’ main voice ‘vanish’ for an inning,

John Gordon in Minnesota, Bob Uecker in Milwaukee, Ted Leitner in San Diego… these are just three examples of lead radio guys who take time off during the broadcast. Maybe they don’t “disappear for an inning” but they are relieved WTF do you people make a deal out of this? Maybe Pat’s voice doctor recommends that he take an inning off. Its a long damn day in the booth, especially when you work with Ron Santo.

by dmlichte on Mar 28, 2009 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's take Uecker for an example.

Uecker works alone without a color commentator. His “sidekicks” over the years have taken over completely, not done color commentary as Ron Santo does with Pat Hughes.

Hughes, incidentally, was one of those sidekicks before he came to the Cubs.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 28, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

whats your point?

Uecker still gets innings off. Gordon and Leitner do have color partners.

I don’t understand why people take such issue with Pat getting an inning off… whether its because he needs to pee, his vocal chords need a rest, or he needs 20 minutes in the middle of a 4 hour broadcast day to recharge. Everyone is different any there are other broadcasters who need the break. How many of us work under such intense scrutiny and in such a spotlight without so much as a 15 minute break every few hours? This criticism of Hughes is beyond me, so please, someone explain.

by dmlichte on Mar 28, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why did Vince Lloyd never need such a break in 21 years of doing Cubs radio?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 28, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's great

Pat ain’t Vince Lloyd. The man needs a break for 10 minutes in the middle of a long broadcast day. Not everyone has the same needs. Whether its physically or mentally, he needs it. Other broadcasters in the game need it to, and get it. Those guys get 2 or 3 innings off.

Pat totally carries the broadcast. I would still like to understand what the big deal is.

by dmlichte on Mar 28, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Len Kasper doesn't need a break.

Why does Pat?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 28, 2009 11:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps...

its because Len is, what, 20 years younger and has a cogent broadcast partner.

There are a myriad of potential real reasons, but I will say it again, not everyone is the same. Different broadcasters have different needs, be it physical or mental. By you simply naming guys who do work all nine innings, you fail to articulate why it is all that horrible that Pat takes an inning of work off. There are many other guys in the industry who do take between 1 and 3 innings off. This is not unheard of.

I just think that it is very interesting that we have to find the blemish in what may be the finest baseball voice we’ve heard in Chicago in a long time. The man needs an inning off per game. What is wrong with that?

by dmlichte on Mar 29, 2009 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You & I disagree...

… and that’s fine. I don’t think he does, you do. Pat’s a relatively young man (53) for someone who’s been doing major league play-by-play as long as he has (24 years).

If they’re going to do this, they need to choose someone who’s better than Judd Sirott.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 29, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes

Al, I’m not trying to be argumentative for the sake of doing so, but you have yet to tell me why this is such a problem. You don’t like him having the inning off and thats understandable. But you have yet to give a legit reason, other than that you don’t like it, as to why this is bad or unaccaptable. Sorry, but you’re just using the “because I said so” routine.

Several other announcers take breaks during the game. I can tell you personally that after doing hour plus presentations, my voice is pretty much ready to go unless I’m drinking a lot of water. Everyone has different needs and its extremely possible that Pat’s doctor has said that he needs a fifteen minute break for the sake of his vocal cords.

I just really think its unfortunate that we have to find a negative angle to every aspect of life here.

by dmlichte on Mar 29, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dan...

… this is a matter of opinion. You have your opinion, I have mine. Are you trying to tell me I’m wrong to have an opinion?

I don’t like what Hughes does in taking an inning off, and it’s made worse by the fact that his replacement is horrible.

You don’t think this is a big deal. I respect your opinion. I respectfully ask you to respect mine.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 29, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al

All that I’m asking is why you have a problem with it. I respect your right to an opinion. I just do not respect the fact that you are not elaborating beyond stating the fact that many announcers do not take the inning off… while ignoring that there are many announcers who take multiple innings off. You fail to even acknowledge that this may be a benefit to Pat’s physical needs and seem to think that every announcer has the same abilities.

I think that we’re clearly going nowhere here and thats fine. Its clearly time to drop it.

by dmlichte on Mar 29, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why do I have to have a reason?

I just don’t like the arrangement. You do. Isn’t that enough?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 30, 2009 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats fine...

and I respect that you don’t like it. I don’t like it or dislike it… it is what it is, a guy needing an inning off in the middle of a long work day. But in your representing your displeasure of it, you and others make it seem as though it is ridiculous that Pat needs an inning off.

by dmlichte on Mar 30, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Ridiculous" is overstating the case.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 30, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leitner 'shares' time

with those in his booth. He doesn’t vanish. Hughes suddenly…is gone…for one inning. It’s so random. Leitner shares time with Jerry Coleman and Andy Masur, and will provide color w/ Masur on some innings when Coleman isn’t around, giving Masur 2 or 3 innings of PBP. It varies, because sometimes Coleman…doesn’t do all the time he’s scheduled to do. There’s a distinct difference.

We are talking apples and oranges here, I believe.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 28, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but to say...

… that Pat is the only person in the game who takes time off is just plain false. When its Masur and Coleman, is Leitner still there? Again, other PBP men like John Gordon and Bob Uecker take innings off as do others.

He’s suddenly gone? How else would you rather have him take an inning off? They say that his replacement is coming up in the 5th, and then in the 6th he’s coming back. You’re making hay that Pat takes one inning off, not two or three? Apples to oranges? Sorry but this whole “Pat taking an inning off” is one of the most inane things I’ve ever seen people on this blog take issue with.

by dmlichte on Mar 28, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't call Provus move

a REAL gig as the team he’s moved to has the smallest media market in all of MLB.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Mar 28, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depending on what market ranking you look at...

… Cincinnati is ranked in some as smaller than Milwaukee.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 28, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you wouldn't call it a real gig?

He is a radio play-by-play man for a major league baseball team. I think its safe to say that there are thousands and thousands of people in the broadcast industry who would disagree with you.

by dmlichte on Mar 28, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milwaukee is a stepping stone market...

Matt Vasgergian left Milwaukee to become the Padres #1voice. He’s now moved on to the MLB Network. Daren Sutton replaced him, and after 3-4 years, advanced to Phoenix.

Bob Uecker is a Milwaukee guy. He was never going to leave — except to appear on the old “Tonight” show and, eventually, the sit-com — “Mr. Belvidere.”

Provus, however went to radio, rather than to TV. Still — he can advance to larger markets. I will assume he’ll get more air time there than in Chicago.

Milwaukee is NOT a glamour market. However, it’s a decent resume stop.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 28, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps someone could ask him why he does it....

as if it is written into his contract as a specific clause – and it is not part of a standard mlb broadcaster contract – then I would think there would be a more compelling reason than he needs a break – or else he’s got a much better agent than other broadcaster.

by doofus cubs guy on Mar 28, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give him a chance

Gees…I mean how many times have you heard him call the Wolves games?

He has to slow it down to baseball’s pace and learn the ins and outs. Len and BB weren’t a smash hit day 1 either.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Mar 28, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps he will improve

and I think he has a decent voice… but his spring work thus far has been completely horrid. Getting game scores wrong on updates, flubbing sentences, etc. Perhaps it was nerves… but it was not very good.

by dmlichte on Mar 27, 2009 1:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He was a good announcer for the Wolves

Having followed the Wolves since their inception to the IHL in 1994, I found Judd to be a pretty good play-by-play guy. Many years he did the entire gig solo and not until the Wolves intro’d the full season TV deal about 5 years ago, did he have a color guy at all times; Billy Gardner.

He called the Wolves game with enthusiasm, WAS factual in his statements regarding the team and their competitors and worked well with Gardner.

Give him a chance to slow it down to baseball’s pace and see (listen) what happens. I’m not sure how many hear heard him call games but having heard him a few hundred times call Wolves games and having had the chance to talk with him at the Horizon in the early years of the Wolves I found him to be knowledgeable of his sport and a good guy to just talk with about hockey. He will do the same with baseball.

Don’t forget, Len & BB didn’t gel from day 1 calling the Cubs on TV in 2005. It took the better part of the first season to get into a groove.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Mar 28, 2009 9:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Judd's a pro

He loves baseball and will do a good job. Until Andy Masur came along, Pat was the only play-by-play radio guy who did all nine innings. All the other big names mentioned above get a break for at least an inning, and in most cases, it’s more like three innings.

by Bruce Miles on Mar 28, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank You, Bruce -- you've amplified what I was trying to state earlier....

If Hughes did take more than just one inning off, it would not seem as strange as it does. That was my point earlier. Having one announcer come in to do one inning — is bizarre.

The other 3 names mentioned in an earlier post take multiple innings off…and, don’t completely vanish from the airwaves.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 28, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He can "vanish"...

…Because you still have a two-man booth with the backup announcer and Ronnie. I don’t see this as a big deal at all. There are “weird” things in other markets. Uecker rarely interacts with his sidekick. Scully, when on radio, pretty much goes solo without calling on the color analyst.

by Bruce Miles on Mar 28, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How does he vanish?

How is his transition any different than any other announcer change? Seriously? They don’t not announce that Judd Sirrott will be coming up in the next inning. How the heck would you prefer they make the transition? Because he’s only taking one inning off… this is just ridiculous.

by dmlichte on Mar 28, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs