Off Topic · OT: Who are your favorite/least favorite currrent Sports analysts & commentators? (page 1)

NFL: favorites = Troy Aikman, Phil Simms, Greg Gumbel - Aikman's definitely my favorite tho... he's very fair to every team he covers & makes some of the most intelligent reads of plays i've ever heard... he was always a very intelligent QB & it's translating well into his commentating & analysis... i can't stand John Madden & Darryl Johnston... Madden's just too old now & no longer interesting to me, & Johnston gets so many names & factoids wrong it drives me nuts.

MLB: favorites = Ken Singleton, Thom Brenneman - i love Kenny's lowkey style & he'd make every Yankee game all that much more enjoyable for me to watch if it weren't for Michael Kay's annoying personal opinion inputs into every telecast... i like Brenneman's energy & his Tino HR call in game 4 of the '01 WS is still 1 of my favorites... cannot stand Joe Morgan's pompous grin & constant references to the "Big Red Machine" he used to play on during every telecast, & his sidekick Jon Miller's equally as annoying with his Red Sox & Giants homerism.

NBA: favorites = Marv Albert, Gus Johnson - who doesn't like Marv? he's the best in the business... & i know Gus is a homer that goes overboard sometimes w/his enthusiasm but i still enjoy his energy during games... i can't stand Doug Collins & his constant referrals to "Michael this" & "Michael that", & Kevin Harlan's pillow muffled sounding voice annoys me.

Not to be a dick, but I can't stand the Mets and usually flip right by them when they're on TV, but a couple of times when I do manage to watch for a few minutes - Keith Hernandez - wow, what a TERRIBLE announcer. I mean downright dreadful. Whinny, know-it-all... He's gotta be the worst announcer I've ever heard in my entire life. I can't stand Tim McCarver too but he's nowhere near as bad as Hernandez. I happen to think Ronnie Darling & Gary Cohen do an excellent job btw so don't go calling me bias...

I think the announcers that do the Cub games on WGN (channel 8 by me) are hideous as well. No passion, especially when the Cubs give up a run. Lifeless broadcast everytime. Those guy's will put you right to sleep. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

I never really cared for Clyde Frazier and his style, just don't think he brings too much to the table, though he'll shock you every now and again with some insight. Breeny carries the Knick Broadcast though, sorry to say.

I hated hearing Rick Barry analyze an NBA game too for some reason. He used to irritate the hell outta me...

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Announcers I enjoy: Verne Linquist & Billy Packer, Mike Breen, John Andraise, Gus Johnson, Dr. Jack Ramsey, Hubie Brown (used to be facinating to listen to Hubie break something down, he was hardcore man, I miss him), Kenny Singleton and believe it or not, Michael Kay - he's gotten ripped by many for being a home town/YES company man but he really layed into the Yankees all season right up to the end, whatever the problem - the rookie pitchers not giving us anything, Cano's lax play.... I gotta give him credit. Plus I always thought he called a decent game anyway to be honest with you.

I'll try and think some more...


[Edited by - finestrg on 10-20-2008 11:04 PM]

i don't mind how Kay calls the game persay but when he goes off on his diatribes about Yankee issues he gets extremely annoying to listen to... he already has a forum for that on his radio show, but he makes it a point to repeat the same points during the Yankee telecasts... IMO his job is to be a play by play guy & relate what's going on & also maybe making some small talk w/O'Neill or Kenny & getting THEIR input on the things going on as ex-players, not using the YES telecasts as his own personal forum for relaying his opinions on every topic.

[Edited by - TMS on 10-20-2008 8:00 PM]

You guys bring up some good names. A voice I really miss is Pat Summeral. When you heard that voice blarring out of yout television, you knew it was a big football game.

I liked Clark Kellog when he used to call the CBB games before he moved into the studio. Greg Gumble is always a good listen. Al Maguire was entertaining, Ian Eagle is pretty good aswell.

Posted by Uptown:

You guys bring up some good names. A voice I really miss is Pat Summeral. When you heard that voice blarring out of yout television, you knew it was a big football game.

I liked Clark Kellog when he used to call the CBB games before he moved into the studio. Greg Gumble is always a good listen. Al Maguire was entertaining, Ian Eagle is pretty good aswell.

dude, i completely feel u on the Pat Summerall reference... i used to love how he'd pronounce Myron Guyton's name on Giants telecasts.

Good thread TMS.. I meant to respond earlier and forgot haha.


NBA:
Favorites: Marv Albert, John Andraise, Mark Jackson, Bill Walton, Snapper Jones, Van Gundy, Clyde
Marv is obvious, I think he's the best announcer in sports honestly. I miss the days of NBC when it was Marv, Snapper, and Walton, man that was a great announce team. Also miss the days of Marv Albert and Andraise calling Knick games on MSG.
Dislike: TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN TOMMY HEINSOHN Did I mention.. TOMMY HEINSOHN, Man that guy is annoying.

NFL:
Favorites: Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Bob Papa, Siragusa lol.
Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms was an awesome #1 announce team for CBS, they shoulda kept it that way. How could you not like Papa (I guess if you're not a giants fan) but he's good at calling a game. Siragusa is obviously just ridiculous and pretty funny. I'll never forget the one game that Siragusa did in the booth with Curt Menefee for a 49er game. The Giants game was over early so they were showing the end of the 49er game because it was coming down to the last seconds and the 49ers were kicking a last second FG. The FG went up and Menefee announced that the FG was NO GOOD (mind you this is to win the game) when the kick was indeed GOOD. Menefee says "he missed it, the 49ers lose!" Siragusa properly replies "what the hell game are you watching, that was good!" Menefee was speecheless at Goose, even though he was right and Goose has since never done a game in the booth again lol
Dislike: Bryant Gumble, Jim Nantz, all Fox announcers
Bryant Gumble is just terrible and I'm glad he's off the NFL network games. I seriously hate every Fox announcer from Joe Buck to Aikman to whoever. I know you said you think Aikman is fair and balanced TMS but he should be banned from doing Cowboys games. I'm serious, everytime I've watched him do a cowboys game it sounds like the pom poms are out and I've thought this long before Boomer accused him of it. He's really not a bad announcer other than that though. I don't really like Nantz, I hate the fact that he took Greg Gumble out of that #1 announcer position.

MLB:
Favorites: Ken Singleton, Al Leiter, Keith Hernandez, Jerry Remi, Ron Darling, Jim Kaat, Bobby Murcer
I think Jim Kaat was the best announcer in baseball up until he retired, he was just fantastic and he was the only guy that say anything that would ruffle the Yankee feathers. I think Singleton is now definitely the best Yankees announcer. I love the unbiased view he brings us. I think Al Leiter is good, he presents his opinions on pitchers and pitching very clearly and you can learn alot from listening to him. I do think Hernandez and Darling are both great announcers, they work great together. Keith can be and has been very critical of the Mets and I like the kinda cockiness he has. Unfortunately I had to watch the Sox when I went to school in Rhode Island, but Jerry Remi is a very good and unbiased announcer. RIP Bobby Murcer. My favorite announcer ever and he had the kind of voice that whenever you heard it, just brings back all kinds of memories of summer. I will sorely miss hearing his voice during Yankee games.
Dislike: Michael Kay, Gary Cohen, Joe Buck, Chip Caray
I can't stand Michael Kay, I can't stand his homerism (although you are right TMS, he did criticize the Yankees this year) I also can't stand Gary Cohen, I cant stand the way he calls a game and his voice. Joe Buck is annoying. Chip Caray I think sucked during this year TBS playoff coverage.

i forgot to include Jim Lampley for boxing... he's awesome... i can't stand Joe Rogan during UFC fights... he's just annoying.

& bro, i miss Bobby Murcer... he was 1 of my favorites ever since Scooter passed away... i like Al Leiter too but i think he kisses Kay's arse a bit too much during telecasts... i know they're friends & all but i like it when Paullie rags on Kay.

[Edited by - TMS on 10-20-2008 8:29 PM]

I know nobody here like's hockey, but I've become a fan of Joe Mickaletti (Sp?). Very insightful to me and interesting to listen to.

I like Clyde!
Doug Collins is a little rough on the ears.
Used to love Bob Murphy w the Mets. Hated Tom McCarthy w the mets last year.
Still like Marv. It's weird that he's with the Nets.
Not a Joe Buck fan. Like Ron Darling- thought he was pretty good with TBS this playoff.
Gary Thorn got started with UMO hockey when I was a kid and my uncle was the coach. Still like him ok.
Hubie is great still for basketball.

I love Gus Johnson, and I hate with an absolute passion that Tommy whatever dude that does the Boston Celtics games. A couple of years ago the Knicks were playing the Celtics in either preseason or the regular season opener, I was out of state and had to watch the game on NBATV. Too bad for me the feed was the local Celticsone, and I had to listen to this fool screaming "DE-LAN-TE! OH DE-LAN-TE!" for entire game because Delonte freakin West was doing something or another. And then hes giving players "Tommy points" which is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. I swear just thinking about it right now is really pissing me off.

NBA- love Marv & Clyde.

Hate Heinsohn & Cousy. And the guy that works the Jazz games- don't even know his name, but sometimes catch the games on league pass.

MLB- McCarver was a favroite- Murphy & Kiner as well

NFL- Boomer & Phil.

My all time favorite is me when I used to call games for Rutgers.
Actually I was pretty terrible...

Favorites:
NBA- Marv Albert, Mike Breen, Tom Hammond, Jeff Van Gundy, Clyde- Marv is one of a kind and there aren't many others who mix his wit, knowledge of the game and ability to call the action. Mike Breen as a radio announcer in the 1990's (when Marv was doing the Knicks on TV) was amazing. I don't think I've heard anyone as quick and detailed in calling the action. Nowadays on TV its not the same, but I still think he's as techincally proficient as anyone out there. Tom Hammond as a play by play voice in any sport is a good listen- understated, accurate and doesn't spoil the game with any editorializing. As far as color guys- there are very few good ones. Hubie Brown wass the best analytical mind in that regard. Jeff Van Gundy is now taking up that torch. Doug Collins used to have good insights, but now just repeats the same points he made years ago. Clyde Frazier isn't actually a great analyst, but is as entertaining as it gets and is a welcome listen for most Knicks fans.

NFL- Sam Rosen, Kenny Albert, Bob Papa, Troy Aikman, Ron Jaworski, Trent Dilfer- Rosen always does a solid job of calling games, whether on hockey or the NFL, and he's a welcome NY voice. Marv's kid Kenny is the most accurate PBP guy in the NFL and one of the few who rarely flubs down and distance. Bob Papa is just the best there is in my opinion at calling games. Might be Giants bias, but he's about as good as it gets. Troy Aikman is currently the best color analyst in any sport- except when he calls a Cowboy game. Still no one brings to the table more insight than he does and he's extremely polished in the booth. Ron Jaworski is still struggling a bit as an NFL game analyst, though as a studio analyst he is unmatched. Absolutely the best at breaking down film and X's and O's for the laymen. Trent Dilfer is an up and comer- he puts Steve Young to shame and offers a lot of insight into QB'ing.

MLB- Jon Miller, Ken Singleton- I hate Joe Morgan, but Jon Miller has the best big game baseball voice there is. I love his calls on TV. Ken Singleton is the smoothest announcer- able to transtion to PBP and color...good voice, good insights. As an aside on Yankee announcers- losing Murcer really hurt. He's been doing Yankee games all my life. Jim Kaat was the best for providing insights into pitching of any announcers I've ever heard, though I guess he's retired now.

LEAST FAVORITES:

NBA- Bill Walton, Kenny Smith, Mike Tirico- Is there any more of a pompous idiot than Bill Walton out there. I guess some people think he's entertaining by always being hilariously wrong, but I think he's a waste of time and his voice is grating. Kenny Smith I thought was a trainwreck on Knicks games the last couple of years. He thinks its a studio show and he go into long soliliquies during the game, but the way he calls a game makes it sound like its preseason and there isn't action to talk about. I think Mike Tirico is great on football on hockey, but he just can't call a bball game. BTW, the worst all time was Isiah Thomas. An equal disaster in the studio and in the booth. Emmitt Smith-like in his command of the English language and the least insightful smiling idiot there ever was.

NFL- Tony Siragusa, Bill Maas, Moose Johnston, Tiki Barber, Steve Young, Emmitt Smith- Goose is just a fat moron. Bill Maas is the most obnoxious blowhard color guy- a Madden want to be with no insight. Moose is the most blatantly biased announcer in sports. Tiki is all flash and no sizzle, very political and says things to draw attention. Steve Young is just an idiot- he never has anything to say and its strange, b/c he was considered one of the smartest QB's. Now he's a waste of airtime. And then there's Emmitt- he's in his own league. He's likable, and the stuff he says is unintentionally amusing, but seriously, c'mon!

MLB-Joe Buck, Joe Morgan, Michael Kay. Wow, where do I begin with these guys. Is it possible to more obnoxious and unfunny than Joe Buck? Oh yeah, you could be Michael Kay! Guess what guys, the game isn't about you two. Joe Morgan- my god, the most agressively dumb man there is. He approaches numbers like their the ebola virus.

V, i couldn't agree more about Steve Young, Kenny Smith, Kenny Albert & Ron Jaworski... Young & Smith say some of the most inane things imaginable, i can't believe they used to run point & QB respectively during their playing days... Marv's son & Jaws are both awesome at what they do.

jon miller is the worst announcer of all time...

forgot to include Chris Berman in my least favorites list... can't stand when he does the "back back back back back GONE!" shtick... & that "WHOOP! WHOOP!" crap he does w/the football highlights is even more annoying.

also hearing Dick Vitale's voice during a college sports game makes me wanna tune out immediately.

& John Kruk & Steve Phillips are so anti-Yankee it makes me sick, they need to bring back Harold Reynolds... & Buster Olney strikes me as the kid i'd most likely have picked on in elementary school... he gets on my nerves cuz most of his trade rumor scoops that he reports rarely ever come true... Tim Kurkjian is the best baseball journalist & most unbiased editorial commentator out there IMO, & he doesn't report on every rumor he hears about, but when he does they usually have some truth to them... Gammons is also pretty good w/reporting on trade rumors, but his annual predictions that the Yankees wouldn't make the playoffs always assured me they would (until this year obviously).

Steven A gets on my nerves when he covers hoops on TV but he cracks me up when i listen to his radio show.

The thing that's so bothersome about Buster Olney is he was probably the best beat writer we've had for the Yankees and then Giants over the 10 years or so. He was brilliant a beat writer and always took the angles people seemed to overlook.

i think being on ESPN has gotten to his head a little bit... he's starting to get into hype journalism instead of reporting the facts.