A's broadcasters SUCK!

[sfgdood]

They don't tell you anything at all about the opposing team after giving the starting lineup...nothing about the guy pitching or the guy hitting. They don't even tell you who made a play or even the changes during the game. I guess they don't realize Giants fans are watching too. The Angels telecasters were bad too but at least they did mention the changes and showed they do their homework about opposing players.

[rog]

Randy, you might be the most negative person I've ever encountered. Personally I was quite happy the game was on TV.

What did you think, by the way, of Giants Rule 5 selection Travis Bergen? You thought the Giants were wrong to take him, since he doesn't have a high 90's fastball, but do you notice that while he's not the most impressive pitcher we've ever seen, he just seem to get batters out -- a fair percentage of them via the strikeout?

You may remember when we said that Travis is just the type of guy a team may try to sneak by, given that he doesn't jump off the screen at you and that his development has been delayed by injury. Bergen's career ERA in the minors is 1.27, and so far this spring he's unscored upon in 5.2 innings. It should be noted that he hasn't faced very good competition this spring, but barring a collapse, he's pitched plenty well enough to make the bullpen.

[sfgdood]

I didn't even know he was in the game thanks to Glenn and Ray talking about the A's trip to Japan and their Travel Coordinator being the hardest working person ever.

[rog]

I too found the focus on the A's distracting, but when the Giants brought in a new pitcher or a had a new batter, I tried to look at the back of the uniform or any clue at the bottom of the screen. I was particularly looking for Bergen, since he was new and had a great shot at making the roster.

The other Giants' Rule 5 pick, outfielder Drew Ferguson, hasn't fared as well, although I was surprised to see that he has already stolen three bases. Remember, the Giants have to keep him on their roster or disabled list or offer him back to he Astros. As of right now, I imagine he's being beaten out by Cameron Maybin and perhaps Austin Slater as well. But if he can show a little more, I suspect the Giants will try to find a way to keep him.

By the way, there was one thing I learned from the A's announcers that I found fascinating, since I hadn't really thought about it before. The A's are likely going to keep 13 pitchers, which means that with the DH in the AL allowing for nine position players to start, aside from a backup catcher, the A's will have only two backup position players on the roster. Clearly, versatility is even more important in the American League than in the National League. Two backups for seven positions (plus DH) is spreading things pretty thin.

Another intriguing comment from the announcers is that Bryce Harper will likely fit in best at DH before his 13-year contract is up, and it is quite likely that by then the NL will also have a designated hitter, which would work out nicely for Harper and the Phillies.

It is looking likely now that the NL will soon add the DH -- juast as I find myself enjoying bunt plays far much more than ever. Fairly good chance they're soon going to legislate two infielders on each side of the diamond, as well.

One other thing I heard from the announcers that was intriguing: Apparently in Bryce's very first game the opponents used four outfielders against him. Takes advantage that almost all hitters hit many more fly balls to the off field than they hit grounders in that direction.

So while I don't like the A's announcers much at all and find their discourse filled with a fair amount on inanities, I learned several things from them anyway.

Even on a bad broadcast, there are things to learn if one wants to.

[Islandboagie]

Rog- Another intriguing comment from the announcers is that Bryce Harper will likely fit in best at DH before his 13-year contract is up, and it is quite likely that by then the NL will also have a designated hitter, which would work out nicely for Harper and the Phillies.

Boagie- I mentioned that same exact thing weeks ago when the Giants were still in the hunt for Harper. How the DH would be in the NL sooner or later and how the Giants would benefit from having Harper available for that role.

[klaiggeb]

I've listened to the A's announcers often in the past and have not, repeat, NOT been impressed.

Still not as bad as Mark Grace and Matt Williams, but they simply aren't very good

[rog]

Rog- Another intriguing comment from the announcers is that Bryce Harper will likely fit in best at DH before his 13-year contract is up, and it is quite likely that by then the NL will also have a designated hitter, which would work out nicely for Harper and the Phillies.

Boagie- I mentioned that same exact thing weeks ago when the Giants were still in the hunt for Harper. How the DH would be in the NL sooner or later and how the Giants would benefit from having Harper available for that role.


Rog -- Excellent observation on your part, Boagie. I should have picked up on it better. The DH possibility would make Bryce more valuable. I'm not sure how he got to be such a bad outfielder, but somehow he appears to have done so.

Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/5138/broadcasters-suck#ixzz5ht3RTHpZ

[rog]

So aren't we truly lucky that the Giants have such fine announcers? Not all the Giants announcers along the way have been great, but we've gotten to listen to Russ Hodges, Lon Simmons, Bill King, Al Michaels, Hank Greenwald and the present guys. Pretty darn fortunate, huh?

[sfgdood]

yeah but there have also been the God awful Joe Angel, Dave Fleming and David Glass

[rog]

Dave Fleming is considered to be pretty good, and even Joe Angel found his niche in Baltimore. David Glass was iffy, but I liked him more than most did.

Overall the caliber has been quite good. I forgot to mention Lindsay Nelson, who wasn't one of my favorites, but certainly had a national reputation.

You're not a really appreciative guy, are you Randy?

[Islandboagie]

I like Flemming and Miller on the radio better than Kruk and Kuip on TV. I often mute the TV and turn on KNBR. I'm not a huge fan of Flemming, but him and Miller at least say new things. They don't regurgitate the same stuff we heard yesterday/last year/a decade ago like Kruk and Kuip does.

"Buster's in the squaaat"

"I miss that guy"

"Rueter just texted us again"

"I wanna get that, I wanna get that"

"Gamer babes"

Those are only the ones I can remember offhand. I'm leaving out all the stupid nicknames and stories we've heard 500 times already.

I enjoy Kuiper's excitement when he's actually calling the play by play and something big happens, but I refuse to listen to all the repetitive banter between those two just to hear him call a big play.

[klaiggeb]

You are right about the stupid stuff they say, as you referenced, boagie, but I LOVE listening to both of them.

I knew a LOT of baseball; a LOT!

Kruk has taught me so much more, it goes beyond words.

I love Kuip, too.

I'm no longer enamored with Miller. To me, he's still good, but I'll take Kruk and Kuip.

Fleming is just ok. Just another guy, but still better than 99% of the others around the league.

[rog]

I think Jon Miller is particularly stellar because:

. Nice voice to listen to

. Great sense of humor

. Very knowledgeable

. Analytical, but he tries to dumb it down to soften it for traditionalists and the broader audience

. Plays well with his partner, no matter who it is

. Excellent baseball history knowledge, particularly the Giants, whom he's followed virtually all his life

. Tons and tons of anecdotes

[Islandboagie]

Miller and Joe Morgan used to bicker regularly, so he doesn't play well with everyone. They were entertaining, but you could tell at times they didn't really like eachother.

[sfgdood]

Fleming is horrible. He is arrogant and tries to act like an analyst instead of doing what he's paid for...straight play-by-play. And most of the time he does this he is dead wrong in his analysis.

[rog]

Here is what I would like to know, Randy. If Dave Flemming is worse than your spelling and judgment of announcers, why is it that he's doing more and more work in the three major sports and was a finalist a year ago as the lead announcer for the MLB Game of the Week?

Dave knows more about major league baseball and the Giants than you do, so why are you being so critical?

[sfgdood]

Connections go a long way

[sfgdood]

As for Dave knowing more than I do about baseball, I need to thank you...I haven't laughed that hard in months

[rog]

As for Dave knowing more than I do about baseball, I need to thank you...I haven't laughed that hard in months


Rog -- It's a shame we couldn't get you two together with say someone like Ron Wotus. If he gave his honest opinion, I think you would be shocked.

It's not that I don't think you know your baseball (although you shield it here well), but Dave knows a lot more than you give him credit for. You forget that these guys get to talk to players, coaches, manager, GM's, etc., and in some cases are friends with them.

What is one thing you think you know that Dave doesn't that makes a significant difference in understanding the game? One thing that would help you evaluate a guy like Gary Brown for instance better than Dave could. One thing that would help you analyze a particular piece of strategy better than Dave.

And if there are indeed several such things, why aren't you sharing them here?




Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/5138/broadcasters-suck#ixzz5i0Mc4hPK

[sfgdood]

Phlegm makes it obvious he knows less about the game than your average Little Leaguer every broadcast. The only reason he does not know even less is his access to actual baseball men. He's a stats geek, which explains why people think he's more knowledgeable about the sports he broadcasts than he actually is.

[Islandboagie]

Dave Flemming isn't arrogant, Randy. I think you need to listen to him more. He presents more questions than comments about baseball when he's with Kruk, Kuip or Miller. I think you just dont like him because hes not Kuiper.

[Islandboagie]

And Flemming is definitely not a stats geek. You claiming so just shows you really don't know him at all.

[Islandboagie]

Flemming regularly shoots down geek talk on the national broadcasts. I'm very surprised you'd say something so inaccurate, Randy.

[sfgdood]

Maybe my sample is small...that is because I purposely don't listen to him when I can avoid it. Every time I do he's lecturing like he's a baseball professor (except he's way off base mostly) or going off about WAR and Launch Angle and all that crap. He makes me want to puke.

[rog]

Why don't you just puke, Randy, and get it out of your system? You might feel better.