[-STAT-]

In honor of the great Greg Gumbel passing away, I figured I'd start a thread on the topic of sports broadcasting. This is something that is near & dear to me. I've broadcasted HS Basketball games for one of our local radio stations for 6 years, done both play-by-play & color. Even tho I was pretty green when I first started out, but soon developed a good rapport with my broadcasting partner, and we were good to go after that. I love watching a good game, no matter what sport it is, but particularly basketball, but to go along with a good game, I love the broadcast of the game.

The guy gets a lot of slack, but I really don't understand why now, is Joe Buck. I remember listening to him 20 years ago and he was just so dull & bland. I think he really turned that around near the 2011/12 season, when he was having issues with his voice and issues with his hair. But since then, he is definitely more jubilant on a big play or a big game, and he has always meshed well with Troy Aikman, whom I think out of all the major play-by-play guys for the NFL, is by far the best other than Greg Olsen. Buck also had a great connection w/ Tim McCarver during the World Series, I really enjoyed listening to McCarver, he was so knowledgeable of the game. Then Buck moved on w/ John Smoltz, and they developed a great chemistry in their short time together. 

Of course, mostly everyone's go to was Pat Sumerall & John Madden. By far the greatest to ever do it. Sumerall was always so calm & poised, had such a smooth voice calling the game, and then you had the loud, sometimes obnoxious Madden, but somehow it worked well together for so many years. 

Al Michaels is another one, sort of lost his luster since he left Sunday Night Football and moved to Thursdays, but he has one of, if not the most iconic call in sports history with "do you believe in Miracles?" when US Hockey team defeated the Soviets in 1980. Then he was the voice of the Reds for many years before being replaced by Marty Brennaman. Michaels went on to call some iconic NFL games, namely with Madden after he left Fox. 

Then the aforementioned Brennaman, who was the voice of the Reds for over 40 years. I recall growing up and listening to him & Joe Nuxhall all the time, hardly ever watched but always listened. They had some all time great calls, but what a time to start with the Reds, right in the middle of the Big Red Machine. 

Those are some of the ones that I always have enjoyed in my life, there's several current names that I really like listening to. 

Kevin Harlan
Brian Anderson
Dan Schulmann
Jay Bilas
Gus Johnson
Jim Nantz
Mike Tirico


So who does everyone else have in mind? Figured this would be a fun topic to debate about.

[Old School Hound]

In honor of the great Greg Gumbel passing away, I figured I'd start a thread on the topic of sports broadcasting. This is something that is near & dear to me. I've broadcasted HS Basketball games for one of our local radio stations for 6 years, done both play-by-play & color. Even tho I was pretty green when I first started out, but soon developed a good rapport with my broadcasting partner, and we were good to go after that. I love watching a good game, no matter what sport it is, but particularly basketball, but to go along with a good game, I love the broadcast of the game.

The guy gets a lot of slack, but I really don't understand why now, is Joe Buck. I remember listening to him 20 years ago and he was just so dull & bland. I think he really turned that around near the 2011/12 season, when he was having issues with his voice and issues with his hair. But since then, he is definitely more jubilant on a big play or a big game, and he has always meshed well with Troy Aikman, whom I think out of all the major play-by-play guys for the NFL, is by far the best other than Greg Olsen. Buck also had a great connection w/ Tim McCarver during the World Series, I really enjoyed listening to McCarver, he was so knowledgeable of the game. Then Buck moved on w/ John Smoltz, and they developed a great chemistry in their short time together. 

Of course, mostly everyone's go to was Pat Sumerall & John Madden. By far the greatest to ever do it. Sumerall was always so calm & poised, had such a smooth voice calling the game, and then you had the loud, sometimes obnoxious Madden, but somehow it worked well together for so many years. 

Al Michaels is another one, sort of lost his luster since he left Sunday Night Football and moved to Thursdays, but he has one of, if not the most iconic call in sports history with "do you believe in Miracles?" when US Hockey team defeated the Soviets in 1980. Then he was the voice of the Reds for many years before being replaced by Marty Brennaman. Michaels went on to call some iconic NFL games, namely with Madden after he left Fox. 

Then the aforementioned Brennaman, who was the voice of the Reds for over 40 years. I recall growing up and listening to him & Joe Nuxhall all the time, hardly ever watched but always listened. They had some all time great calls, but what a time to start with the Reds, right in the middle of the Big Red Machine. 

Those are some of the ones that I always have enjoyed in my life, there's several current names that I really like listening to. 

Kevin Harlan
Brian Anderson
Dan Schulmann
Jay Bilas
Gus Johnson
Jim Nantz
Mike Tirico


So who does everyone else have in mind? Figured this would be a fun topic to debate about.

Good thread, STAT.  Congrats on being a broadcaster. That must be a lot of fun. 

Like everything else, I like guys who , not only call a great game, but entertain me, as well.  Gus Johnson gets some criticism for being too over the top, but I like him. My life wouldn't have been as enjoyable as it has been without Brennaman / Nuxhall and Micheals/Nuxhall.  Also, I spent hundreds of hours listening to the great Cawood Ledford.


As far as a consummate broadcaster who possessed all the skills of calling a great game, painting a great picture for the listener, and telling great stories, Vin Sculley , famed Dodger announcer,  had no equal.

I also enjoyed Keith Jackson calling college football and the great Curt Gowdy doing pro football back in the day. And who can forget the great Dick Enberg , who did baseball for the Angels and then did pro football as half of the great tandem with Merlin Olsen. Enberg also did college basketball with Al McQuire. I also loved the sports gameshow he emceed, called "Sports Challenge," back in the '70's . Multi-talented guy.

[Jarons]

I'm sure I will forget a few names. Some of the announcers that I like are:
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
Jim Nantz
Tony Romo (sometimes, depending on my mood)
Greg Olsen and whoever his broadcast partner is
Jay Bilas
Gus Johnson and Joe Klatt
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstriet (sp?) However, I don't like Kirk with Al Michael's.
John Smoltz
Mike Tirico (always) and depending on my mood Cris Collinsworth
From my youth:
Dick Emberg
Madden and Summerall
Keith Jackson
Old School Al Michael's
Brent Mustberger (sp?) Before he started lusting after every pretty college girl shown during the broadcast
Dick Vermeil
Frank Gifford
I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, that's one thing about doing lists someone is always forgotten.

[Jarons]

I'm sure I will forget a few names.  Some of the announcers that I like are:
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
Jim Nantz
Tony Romo (sometimes,  depending on my mood)
Greg Olsen and whoever his broadcast partner is
Jay Bilas
Gus Johnson and Joe Klatt
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstriet (sp?) However,  I don't like Kirk with Al Michael's.
John Smoltz
Mike Tirico (always) and depending on my mood Cris Collinsworth
From my youth:
Dick Emberg
Madden and Summerall
Keith Jackson
Old School Al Michael's
Brent Mustberger (sp?) Before he started lusting after every pretty college girl shown during the broadcast
Dick Vermeil
Frank Gifford
I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, that's one thing about doing lists someone is always forgotten.

High school football my favorite is James Collier who broadcasts games for Raceland on Kool TV. The few games broadcast by GLICOD has had good and professional broadcasters for high school sports.

[jetpilot]

Cawood Ledford
Vin Scully
Harry Caray

[jetpilot]

In honor of the great Greg Gumbel passing away, I figured I'd start a thread on the topic of sports broadcasting. This is something that is near & dear to me. I've broadcasted HS Basketball games for one of our local radio stations for 6 years, done both play-by-play & color. Even tho I was pretty green when I first started out, but soon developed a good rapport with my broadcasting partner, and we were good to go after that. I love watching a good game, no matter what sport it is, but particularly basketball, but to go along with a good game, I love the broadcast of the game.

The guy gets a lot of slack, but I really don't understand why now, is Joe Buck. I remember listening to him 20 years ago and he was just so dull & bland. I think he really turned that around near the 2011/12 season, when he was having issues with his voice and issues with his hair. But since then, he is definitely more jubilant on a big play or a big game, and he has always meshed well with Troy Aikman, whom I think out of all the major play-by-play guys for the NFL, is by far the best other than Greg Olsen. Buck also had a great connection w/ Tim McCarver during the World Series, I really enjoyed listening to McCarver, he was so knowledgeable of the game. Then Buck moved on w/ John Smoltz, and they developed a great chemistry in their short time together. 

Of course, mostly everyone's go to was Pat Sumerall & John Madden. By far the greatest to ever do it. Sumerall was always so calm & poised, had such a smooth voice calling the game, and then you had the loud, sometimes obnoxious Madden, but somehow it worked well together for so many years. 

Al Michaels is another one, sort of lost his luster since he left Sunday Night Football and moved to Thursdays, but he has one of, if not the most iconic call in sports history with "do you believe in Miracles?" when US Hockey team defeated the Soviets in 1980. Then he was the voice of the Reds for many years before being replaced by Marty Brennaman. Michaels went on to call some iconic NFL games, namely with Madden after he left Fox. 

Then the aforementioned Brennaman, who was the voice of the Reds for over 40 years. I recall growing up and listening to him & Joe Nuxhall all the time, hardly ever watched but always listened. They had some all time great calls, but what a time to start with the Reds, right in the middle of the Big Red Machine. 

Those are some of the ones that I always have enjoyed in my life, there's several current names that I really like listening to. 

Kevin Harlan
Brian Anderson
Dan Schulmann
Jay Bilas
Gus Johnson
Jim Nantz
Mike Tirico


So who does everyone else have in mind? Figured this would be a fun topic to debate about.

Good thread, STAT.  Congrats on being a broadcaster. That must be a lot of fun. 

Like everything else, I like guys who , not only call a great game, but entertain me, as well.  Gus Johnson gets some criticism for being too over the top, but I like him. My life wouldn't have been as enjoyable as it has been without Brennaman / Nuxhall and Micheals/Nuxhall.  Also, I spent hundreds of hours listening to the great Cawood Ledford.


As far as a consummate broadcaster who possessed all the skills of calling a great game, painting a great picture for the listener, and telling great stories, Vin Sculley , famed Dodger announcer,  had no equal.

I also enjoyed Keith Jackson calling college football and the great Curt Gowdy doing pro football back in the day. And who can forget the great Dick Enberg , who did baseball for the Angels and then did pro football as half of the great tandem with Merlin Olsen. Enberg also did college basketball with Al McQuire. I also loved the sports gameshow he emceed, called "Sports Challenge," back in the '70's . Multi-talented guy.

Don't know who said it but said they wanted Gus Johnson calling their wedding night. lol

[Spud6]

Idk the guys name and don't feel like Googling it but the guy who calls Big 10 football games I really enjoy his catch phrases and his voice when a big moment happens in a game.

[Van Hagar]

Glad you mentioned Curt Gowdy, OSH, I loved him paired with Tony Kubek on baseball. The threesome of Dick Enberg, Al McGuire and Billy Packer was untouchable on college basketball. And Keith Jackson, calling an Oklahoma-Nebraska or Alabama-Auburn college game was as good as it got. My favorite right now is Sean McDonough, I think he has just the right mix of excitement and insight. Mike Tirico is fantastic too, but God bless Cris Collinsworth, he must get paid by the word, he wears me out.

[Hoot Gibson]

l liked Enberg and Packer but I absolutely hated when I turned into a game and found McGuire was part of the broadcast team. I am pretty sure that McGuire was getting a separate check directly from the Big East conference. He was the most biased announcer ever, IMO and if the Big East was not paying him to promote the conference, they should have been. 

I will always remember McGuire saying, "Give it up to a guard, big fella," almost every time that a big guy dribbled the ball up the court. Then, I watched Patrick Ewing lose the ball out of bounds as he brought the ball up the court with no pressure. McGuire said that he thought there was a dead spot in the floor.

[jetpilot]

^^^Packer was 10x worse in the tank for the ACC.

[Hoot Gibson]

^^^Nobody was more in the tank for a conference than McGuire but I agree that Packer was deep in the tank for the ACC. I hated when either one of them called a UK game.

[jetpilot]

Haha Packer calling a UK game was instant mute. I always liked McGuire.

[Old School Hound]

Haha Packer calling a UK game was instant mute. I always liked McGuire.

I agree with you. I didn't mind McGuire. I liked his passion for the game. Packer was someone you wanted to smack several times during the game.

[jetpilot]

Haha Packer calling a UK game was instant mute. I always liked McGuire.

I agree with you. I didn't mind McGuire. I liked his passion for the game. Packer was someone you wanted to smack several times during the game.

We called him Billy "Fudge" Pac...oh hell never mind

[-STAT-]

Never liked Billy Packer, he may have been an ACC homer, but he hated Kentucky just as much. One that hasn't been brought up is Dick Vitale. He was the biggest Duke homer of all time, and of course can't forget his catchphrases, and over the top personality which wore thin on everyone, but now a days would love to see him calling a game since his battles with cancer the last few years, he is currently cancer free so hopefully we will still get to hear him some soon.