How 'bout that?
Baseball commentary is an art, especially when the play by play is done over the radio. Mel Allen was perhaps the most memorable baseball announcer . His unforgettable voice and infamous quips have been etched into the memories of baseball fans for years. He certaintly is missed doing the weekly "This week in baseball" show.
There was also Harry Caray, the Chicago Cubs announcer, who lead the fans with the classic song, “Take me out to the ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley field. The tradition still continues, 10 years after Caray’s death; however the crowd is now lead by celebrities and former players and popular sports figures from the Chicago sports teams. Those who have lead the Wrigley crowd in the past are, Ozzie Osbourne, Mike Ditka and Kellie Pickler (who referred to popcorn instead of peanuts during a Cubs game against Seattle last year).
Red Barber, whose radio broadcasting career ran over four decades as he started out in 1934 with the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Yankees.
A good broadcaster can paint a picture for fans listening on the radio by coming up with their own signature phrases, and Barber was the best, as he is best known for coining phrases such as “Can of corn”, describing a softly hit, easily caught ball. Another classic phrase was, “They’re tearin’ up the pea patch”. Used for a team on a winning streak.
Lindsey Nelson, the colorful commentator for the Mets had a knack for calling a game. He had the perfect baseball voice and he might have been remembered best for his choice of sport jackets and ties. Nelson had great emotion while calling a game.
Teamed together with Ralph Kiner and Bob Murphy, the three became the voice of the Mets. Murphy gave up his seat in the T.V. booth for the radio booth and never looked back. One fond memory of Bob Murphy was the game where the Mets had played a double header and both games went into extra innings. It was a long day at Shea Stadium and as Murphy called the last out, he yelled, “And that’s the end of the damn game”!!
There have been numerous players that have gone from the field to the broadcast booth. Mark Grace is excellent calling the play by play for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ken Singleton is always fun to listen as he shares the booth with Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman. Paul O’neill and Bobby Mercer join in on the play by play for the Yankees.
Fox Sports has been known to have active players call the game too, as Arizona Diamondbacks leftfielder Eric Byrnes was among the broadcast team, while Louis Gonzalez worked the playoffs.
There have been some legendary voices of the game, although there are certain announcers that get on people’s nerves, everyone has their favorite. There is just something special about hearing a great commentator broadcast a baseball game.
Maybe you could comment on some of your favorites?
There was also Harry Caray, the Chicago Cubs announcer, who lead the fans with the classic song, “Take me out to the ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley field. The tradition still continues, 10 years after Caray’s death; however the crowd is now lead by celebrities and former players and popular sports figures from the Chicago sports teams. Those who have lead the Wrigley crowd in the past are, Ozzie Osbourne, Mike Ditka and Kellie Pickler (who referred to popcorn instead of peanuts during a Cubs game against Seattle last year).
Ozzy and the seventh inning stretch
Red Barber, whose radio broadcasting career ran over four decades as he started out in 1934 with the Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Yankees.
A good broadcaster can paint a picture for fans listening on the radio by coming up with their own signature phrases, and Barber was the best, as he is best known for coining phrases such as “Can of corn”, describing a softly hit, easily caught ball. Another classic phrase was, “They’re tearin’ up the pea patch”. Used for a team on a winning streak.
Red Barber in the booth
Lindsey Nelson, the colorful commentator for the Mets had a knack for calling a game. He had the perfect baseball voice and he might have been remembered best for his choice of sport jackets and ties. Nelson had great emotion while calling a game.
Teamed together with Ralph Kiner and Bob Murphy, the three became the voice of the Mets. Murphy gave up his seat in the T.V. booth for the radio booth and never looked back. One fond memory of Bob Murphy was the game where the Mets had played a double header and both games went into extra innings. It was a long day at Shea Stadium and as Murphy called the last out, he yelled, “And that’s the end of the damn game”!!
The Amazin's original broacasting team
There have been numerous players that have gone from the field to the broadcast booth. Mark Grace is excellent calling the play by play for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ken Singleton is always fun to listen as he shares the booth with Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman. Paul O’neill and Bobby Mercer join in on the play by play for the Yankees.
Fox Sports has been known to have active players call the game too, as Arizona Diamondbacks leftfielder Eric Byrnes was among the broadcast team, while Louis Gonzalez worked the playoffs.
There have been some legendary voices of the game, although there are certain announcers that get on people’s nerves, everyone has their favorite. There is just something special about hearing a great commentator broadcast a baseball game.
Maybe you could comment on some of your favorites?
