So, I'm watching the ALCS, and I'm depressed that Fox has it this year. There are many reasons, but the biggest reason is Tim McCarver. I don't have any statistics on this one, but I think I'm stating the obvious here: Tim McCarver sucks. Bad.
The point of a color guy in baseball is to provide insight and entertainment. He's there to explain the nuance of the game that the average fan might not otherwise understand. Tony Gwynn is a good example in my opinion. He understands hitting better than anyone doing color right now. For those of us who played baseball but never had the skill to make it beyond the high school level, he's great because he speaks baseball and points out the little interesting things that make the game intriguing. Now if only he was funny.
McCarver on the other hand doesn't do, well, much of anything. His observations are obvious. Like just now, he explained that if the shortstop was shaded a little bit more towards second, he would have had David Ortiz's single in the first inning. Yes, I understand, Tim. If people are closer to the place where the ball is hit, they have a better chance of catching it.
But, it's not just the obvious observations. He has a smugness and a palpable dislike for certain teams, the Red Sox being one of them. My Yankee fan friends (and yes, Red Sox fans and Yankees fans can be friends, just not from March to October) tell me that this is partly because McCarver really, really wants to work color for YES. When he covers the Sox, any little mistake or miscue is blown up into a huge failing for the Sox. When the Sox and Yankees play, forget about it, it's just gross. When combined with Joe Buck, who takes every opportunity he can to rip Manny Ramirez, Fox's baseball broadcast is unbearable to watch. I'm sure that many non-Red Sox fans feel the same way about Jerry Remy on NESN as I feel about Tim McCarver, just to make the comparison.
With all that, I really wonder why Fox keeps McCarver. I have never heard of anyone who really thinks that he's any good. He is, at best, annoying. Anybody have an idea? Anyone have an idea of how we can get rid of him?
Friday, October 12, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
McCarver has been auditioning for YES for about ten years, by my reckoning. He does it every time a shortstop makes an unnecessary leap into the air while throwing to barely get the ball to first, calling it "Jeteresque." He does it every time he points out that Derek Jeter pumped his fist after a play, by telling us that "Jeter isn't normally demonstrative." And never mind that McCarver does this at least once a game, leading one to wonder what McCarver thinks "normally" means.
McCarver is also just a clueless dumbass. During the 2004 ALCS he commented on Derek Lowe's sinker by saying "it inducing ground balls, and one thing about ground balls, they don't leave the park" and "you can give up Home Runs, but you can't walk guys before giving up the Home Runs, because that's what creates big innings." Everything he says is Stupid, Obvious, or Butt-Kissing. I wish he WOULD go to YES, so I would never have to listen to him again.
Faux sports racks up all the big games every year. TBS was thrown a bone this year by acquiring the First round of playoffs which was kinda cool. Im not the biggest Chip Carey fan. He tried to do the "Steve Stone throws the Cubs under the bus" routine, which landed him that sweet gig at ESPN.
But i digress. Ive never been a Tim McCarver fan myself. He adds the "John Madden states the obvious" in just about every game he broadcasts. What ever happened to Steve Lyons? He was great for Faux sports! But for fan entertainment, I wish ESPN was granted all post-season baseball. Miller and Morgan, I think, make watching games on the tube that much more special.
Jon Miller is hands down the greatest voice for baseball on the air... Baltimore should still be kicking themselves for allowing Angelos to run him outta town...
Yeh I agree, but he is in San Fran now baby!!! THE voice of the Giants.
Having fun with Palmer??
Side note- I couldnt agree with you more D,C,&H. Tony Gwynn does add a fun/educational element to the game, and I think he is only going to get better.
Post a Comment