OT: American Sportscaster/play-by-play Mount Rushmore
Prompted by the retirement of Brent Musburger, Mike Hall tweeted this:
Here's an impossible task: American Sportcaster Mount Rushmore. You only can put up 4. I think Brent's in there. Who ya got?
— Mike Hall (@BTNMikeHall) January 25, 2017
Someone in response pointed out that one needs to differentiate between "sportscaster" and "play-by-play" guy, which is probably wise.
It's not easy. I don't think Brent is there (he would make the college football mount, along with Keith, Verne, and... hard to narrow down a fourth. Maybe Joe Tess in a few years).
Focusing on just play-by-play guys, I would list Al Michaels, Vin Scully, Howard Cosell, and Keith Jackson, even though I'm not a big fan of Cosell even granted the generational differences there.
Brent actually has a better case if you expand the field beyond play-by-play, because he was an iconic studio host for CBS for years. Cosell fares well there, too. Jim Nantz becomes a legit candidate, even though I don't like him, as do guys like Chris Fowler.
Who ya got?
January 25th, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
Always have loved Ken Kal! Not Mount Rushmore, but still great!
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January 25th, 2017 at 4:52 PM ^
It's not Mount Rushmore season. Sorry.
January 25th, 2017 at 4:53 PM ^
All I know is Keith Jackson's face better be 10 times bigger / higher than anyone else's you are putting on there. League of his own.
January 25th, 2017 at 4:56 PM ^
Joey Galloway, Pam Ward, Beth Mowins, and Joe Buck.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:15 PM ^
This made me lol.
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January 25th, 2017 at 7:57 PM ^
Came here to say the exact same thing, but I had Buck, Galloway, Matt Millen, and Jon Gruden during a game that featured Aaron Rodgers
January 25th, 2017 at 8:49 PM ^
who was your sideline reporter?
January 25th, 2017 at 4:57 PM ^
I know I'm in the minority, but I think Al Michaels is overrated. He used to be great, but he gets a lot of calls wrong now. He constantly misses what is obvious and has to go back and correct himself.
As for Rushmore, add me to the Harwell, Tirico, Thorne bandwagon. I also think Musberger back in the day was absolutely fantastic. He made a big game seem like a BIG GAME. He brought drama to the proceedings.
As for announcing in general, I loved Josh Lewin and Kirk Gibson doing Tigers games. They really were like a couple of high school kids who were allowed to talk baseball, but Gibby also brought a lot of insight and Lewin was as professional as they come. It was such a unique combo. Every game was fun.
January 25th, 2017 at 6:13 PM ^
maybe if you're Soviet.
January 25th, 2017 at 6:33 PM ^
Heh, heh. I know. I think I'm the only one who thinks that, comrade. But the next time you watch a game he's calling, make note of how many times he's wrong or late on a call.
January 25th, 2017 at 8:48 PM ^
I listen to him every SNF AMD haven't noticed a drop-off in accuracy. Pacing perhaps, but I think he's more on point than Collinsworth. Regardless, the man is an icon. There are very few voices and personalities I would willingly spend a few hours with in this overhyped and oversaturated sports era, but Al Michaels calling a game is like hanging out with your best friend.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
I think people overlook a lot, consciously or subconsiously, because of his well-deserved reputation. I too watch SNF and that's how I came to my conclusion. I wish there were more SNF games we could both watch. Anyway, now that I think about it, I guess I still would put him in the pantheon of great announcers. I just don't think he's as great as he once was anymore.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^
Joe buck, Joe buck, Joe buck, and Joe buck
January 25th, 2017 at 5:48 PM ^
That mountain would be perfect for taking a nice long nap until the game was over.....or the park that it was in closed. Add Troy Aikman and you could almost do small procedures on people as they would be more or less fully anesthetized.
January 25th, 2017 at 7:18 PM ^
Can't be serious. If Joe Buck is calling a game, and I couldn't mute it, I'd rather blast Muzak than have to listen to him.
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January 25th, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^
Guys I have heard call games and not just clips.
Keith Jackson, Gary Thorne, Doc Emrick, Al Michaels
January 25th, 2017 at 5:17 PM ^
Some of my favorites in their respective roles include:
Steve Stone, Vin Scully, Dick Enberg, Brent Musberger, Bill Raftery, Vern Lundquist and Cliff Drysdale. I also think Rece Davis is a very good host.
PS Gary Thorne, Doc Emrick and Pat Foley.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:21 PM ^
Gary Thorne is very underrated
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January 25th, 2017 at 8:56 PM ^
Totally agree! Pat Foley and Gary Thorne are probably the two most underrated announcers in sports.
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January 25th, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
Christ Fowler is a better host than Rece Davis, he isn't as good at play-by-play. I miss seeing him on GameDay. I'm glad no Brent Musberger anymore but it's still kind of annoying.
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January 25th, 2017 at 5:17 PM ^
Keith Jackson, Gary Thorne (NHL work was incredible), Harwell and Scully.
Al Michaels sounds like a mix btw Kermit the frog and Ray Romano.
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January 25th, 2017 at 5:18 PM ^
Erie Harwell was a gem. I miss him.
January 25th, 2017 at 7:15 PM ^
App+1 for Thorne.
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January 25th, 2017 at 7:21 PM ^
+1 for Al Michaels = Kermit the frog + Ray Romano.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:30 AM ^
Got his big break as the radio pbp guy for the Mets in the 1980s. I never understood why they didn't promote him to TV since he was better than Steve Zabriskie was.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:17 PM ^
Play by Play: Pat Summerall (GOAT), Keith Jackson, Marv Albert (no one better at basketball), Al Michaels. Had a hard time choosing between Scully and Albert for the last spot
Color commentator: Howard Cosell, John Madden, Tim McCarver, Al McGuire (CBB is not the same without him)
Studio hosts: Jim McKay, Brent Musberger, Chris Fowler, Don Cherry
January 25th, 2017 at 11:08 PM ^
Madden deserves more love than he is getting.
By the end he was a caricature of himself, but he was the first one to explain the nuances of the game and what players were trying to accomplish on a given play to the audience. He did more to educate the audience about the game than anyone before him and most after him.
He may not be Rushmore-worthy, but should have been mentioned sooner.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:25 PM ^
1) Keith Jackson
2) Ernie Harwell
3) Bob Uecker
4) Rowdy Gains
Most outlandish personalities:
1) Myron Cope
2) Johny Weir/Tara Lapinski (team award)
3) The racing sausages
4) Sonny Elliot (weather forcasting can be a sport)
January 25th, 2017 at 5:20 PM ^
Gus Johnson, Joe Tessitore, George Blaha, & Dick Enberg
People hate him but I feel like Kevin Harlan calls a good game.
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January 25th, 2017 at 5:22 PM ^
Keith Jackson, Verne, and not sure on the 4th spot. I can tell you who isn't there....Tirico. Can't stand his voice and of everyone I've seen mentioned he sounds the fakest throughout the game. Plus he points out way too many useless stats. Can't stand him.
January 25th, 2017 at 7:30 PM ^
is one of the best. So there!
January 25th, 2017 at 7:31 PM ^
you mean Dakich with your description.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:23 PM ^
Dackich to that as well. Really can't stand that guy.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:23 PM ^
Dan Dickerson
Gus Johnson
Keith Jackson
Harry Carey
January 25th, 2017 at 5:27 PM ^
Kieth Jackson
Brent Musberger
Howard Cosell
Al Michaels
Runner Up: Jim McCay
Everyone else mentioned only did one sport. These guys were everywhere, did everything and were in many ways national cultural touchstones for decades.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
I think you don't know enough about "everyone else mentioned." These are all fine selections, though I think Cosell is overrated.
January 25th, 2017 at 7:24 PM ^
Disagree. Cosell was truly great. He made every event bigger because of the way he covered it.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
that if Joe Buck was any more smarmy, the weight of his smarm would suck the whole world into a black hole of smarmosity?
I can't stand that guy.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
Bob Costas, Jim McKay, Joe Garagiola, Frank Gifford, Foster Hewitt, Bob Cole, Dick Enberg.....
January 25th, 2017 at 6:01 PM ^
Costas was great until he started thinking he was great. Garagiola was right there with Kaline (biased) for great base color announcers.
January 25th, 2017 at 8:53 PM ^
Totally agree. Costas was great and now he is horrible because he thinks he's so great.
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January 25th, 2017 at 11:11 PM ^
I can't recall Costas before he became TV's Mitch Albom, but he's so bad now.
I feel bad saying this, but I was really happy when he got pink eye during the olympics a few years ago and missed a couple of days.
can't stand that guy.
January 25th, 2017 at 5:45 PM ^
Jim Ross
January 25th, 2017 at 5:51 PM ^
Local Metro detroit:
Play-by-play
Ernie Harwell (Tigers), Van Patrick (Lions), Bob Ufer / Frank Beckmann (UM), George Blaha (Pistons). Bruce Martin (Red Wings)
Analysts
George Kell (Tigers), Jim Brandstatter (Lions / UM), Sid Abel (Red Wings),
National:
Play-by Play:
Keith Jackson (Football), Gus Johnson (Basketball), Vin Scully (Baseball), Foster Hewitt (Original Hockey Night in Canada; he created the phrase "He shoots, he scorrrres!")
Analysts:
Hank Stram (Football), Hubie Brown (Basketball), Joe Garagiola (Baseball)
January 25th, 2017 at 6:01 PM ^
I'm glad you reminded me about George Kell. Even as a big Pistons fan, I always found George Blaha too much of a homer. I'd add Greg Kelser as a local analyst.
January 25th, 2017 at 6:02 PM ^
Kaline was the color guy.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^
teamed together on the radio before being split, Kell to TV while Ernie remained on the radio.
January 25th, 2017 at 6:05 PM ^
Great as an analyst. Great as a studio host of the coaches show.
Nearly unbearable as a play by play guy.
January 25th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^
Hubie is the greatest...easily still the best at his old age.
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January 25th, 2017 at 6:38 PM ^
Bud Lynch, also red wings