Yet another reason why Judd Sirott annoys me
by dfrancon on Jun 27, 2009 3:03 PM CDT
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PrintHe was interviewing Andres Blanco today and actually stumbled upon an interesting subject: Blanco is reading The Davinci Code, and he explained he finds it interesting because he is learning a lot about the religious theories referenced in the book, which he had "never heard of before in his life." Now, wouldn't that have been a perfect place for an open-ended question designed to help us learn more about Andres Blanco's life?
Instead, we learn that Judd has an agenda, a direction he wants the interview to go. He asked this: "Is there something relaxing about reading before a game?"
ARGH. WGN, PLEASE FIRE JUDD SIROTT. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE US SUFFER THROUGH HIM FOR THIS ENTIRE SEASON. PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, HAVE RESPECT FOR THE FANS.
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He probably didn’t want to spend time discussing the finer points of the DaVinci Code or force Blanco to answer awkward questions about his religious beliefs. What do you think he should have done differently?
Welcome, Judd's brother, to BCB!
He could have asked:
Have you always been a devoted reader?
What other books have you enjoyed?
Do you ever read books about baseball?
Is there anything else you do to take your mind off the game?
Those are four questions I thought off in the five seconds after reading your post. I’m guessing a person who knows in advance they will be interviewing Blanco could come up with more/better questions than these.
Unless his name is Judd Sirott.
Uhh...and those are supposed to be better than
“Is there something relaxing about reading before a game?”
Also, what is his “agenda” for asking this? Where was he steering this interview by asking this?
Not sticking up for Judd. I just don’t see your point.
that was
a VERY weird interview. He let Blanco go on for at least 120 seconds talking about the book. o.0
I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.
You know, I didn't mind that.
I would much rather hear the player talk than listen to yet another of Judd’s leading questions.
yeah
but Blanco really rambled.
I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.
by drewishdrewid on Jun 27, 2009 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions
More Judd:
“Ron, how much do you think that day off really helped Ryan Theriot?”
O, please deliver us from the fifth inning, the longest fifth inning in all MLB radio broadcasts.
LOL.
Chicago Cubs > Milwaukee Brewers
by CUBSfaninYANKEEcountry on Jun 27, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions
He probably just didn't want to lead Blanco into saying something 'stupid' about religion
No need to ruffle up feathers/ offend anyone.
Politics/religion not the topics you want to discuss on fluffy pregame interviews.
A good interviewer would have changed the subject, then.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Too much flak over a broadcaster who
isn’t that experienced. Calm down, people.
I’ve said enough on this before. Due to the unusual configuration of the Cubs radio booth — the need for the “1-inning” guy — this is another inexpensive hire by WGN, as were the previous individuals that held this role. You cannot — cannot get an experienced talent for this very minimal job. It just doesn’t pay enough and there is not enough exposure.
The others didn’t have that much experience when they were hired for this gig. Sirott probably had less. When Sirott leaves, another individual with minimal experience will be hired for a smallish paycheck.
If Santo was capable of pbp, there would be no need for this strange gig. Hughes does need a break. Years ago, Thom Brennaman went back and forth between radio and TV, as did Harry. There was no need for a 1-inning guy. There is no cross-pollination anymore between Cubs radio and TV. Therefore, the need for a ‘relief’ man. It’s a ‘stepping-stone’ job, highly unusual for a market the size of Chicago.
You get what you pay for. It’s really time to get off this guy’s back. He’s learning on-the-job.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 27, 2009 11:46 PM CDT reply actions
I strongly disagree with you about the type of talent interested in this job.
Working for the Cubs broadcast team are some of the highest profile jobs in MLB. Look at where the last 2 people landed after working in this role for the Cubs, as full-time broadcaster for other teams. This makes the job very desirable to anyone interested in broadcasting for a MLB team.
I would guess every minor league broadcaster would kill for this job. There are plenty of promising broadcast talent available which is why I don’t get why they hired Sirott.
Was he really the best baseball broadcast available or was he added to the Cubs broadcast since he was already employed by WGN for Blackhawk’s coverage? Sirotts’ hiring smacks of cost cutting by WGN to me.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jun 28, 2009 1:26 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Of course it was cost-cutting
That’s the point of what I wrote. I implied that in the last sentence.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 28, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
And I also stated it was a stepping-stone job.
WGN was able to find individuals that had some talent, who the basics down, and were willing…essentially to be glorified interns. That’s why younger talent will take this minimal job, at lesser pay, and use it to become a full-fledged MLB announcer —somewhere else.
The other two that held this job were not the best talent available. They were young, good, and grew into the job. And then, got the hell out, and got real jobs. You might say WGN was very fortunate. I still haven’t heard Sirott, so I can’t make any assessments. But, I guess they didn’t get as lucky when looking for somebody young who would work for less money. If he was on payroll already, all the better for WGN.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 28, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
You've got a good point, SDSJM
but so does cowsarecool.
I find Judd irritating and not very good at what he does, in comparison to Masur and Provus. I think WGN was looking to save some money by essentially giving Sirott double duty.
That said, if Santo could handle PxP — which other ex-ballplayers (like Ed Farmer, for example) handle with aplomb — this would be unnecessary.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 28, 2009 4:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed here with both of you.
Clearly, Sirott’s hiring was for financial reasons, as he was already on the WGN payroll.
Maybe Santo being able to do PBP would help, but I don’t recall Vince Lloyd needing an inning off during his 22 years behind the mike.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It’s really time to get off this guy’s back. He’s learning on-the-job.
Except he’s not getting any better. His pre-game interviews are terrible, his inning of work is terrible, his scoreboard calling is terrible. Besides, he should have SOME ability here, he calls Blackhawks games. But there’s no evidence of it.
I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.
by drewishdrewid on Jun 28, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think he knows baseball very well.
The other day, he was used the term “stay fair” when he meant to discuss whether the ball was “in play.” He very obviously caught and corrected himself, but he sounds like an amateur who is just learning the game of baseball.
Big difference between yesterday's
big name talent and today’s talent, Al. The best in the most influential positions can call their shot.
Hell, Bob Bell did news, (!!) booth announce and Bozo.
Ray Rayner had about 15 jobs at WGN in his prime years.
Jack Brickhouse….covered politics in his spare time.
These legendary Chicago broadcasters were not millionaires and went from assignment to assignment to assignment? Why? That’s the way the industry worked. Refuse an assignment and you’d be back in Bloomington.
Today’s big names only do other jobs if they are highly compensated. If Hughes demands an inning off, perhaps he has it stated in his contract, then he’s gonna get that inning off. That’s not a real big demand, but it does cause problems for WGN Radio.
Therefore, we have the rather absurd configuration in the Cubs radio booth.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 28, 2009 11:16 AM CDT reply actions
I would bet
there would be a long line of minor league broadcasters with some talent who would do the Cubs gig for free as a chance to get a full-time major league gig.
DEJESUS!!!
Many people on this site could do a better job.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I just don't like his voice
I get used to Pat’s soothing baritone the first four innings, then wham! Judd sounds like a a 12-year-old eunuch. Voice is nasal and unpleasant. I usually switch back to TV audio for that inning.
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Jun 29, 2009 11:42 AM CDT reply actions
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