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May 2009
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Listening to ballgames on the radio as a kid and watching on television first got me interested in sportscasting. I was as much a fan of the guys behind the mic as I was the players on the field or the court. I remember listening to my tiny transistor radio under the covers late at night whenever the Rangers were playing on the West Coast, even though I should have been asleep getting ready for school the next day. I've been doing nothing this weekend except watching sports and listening on the radio in the car. It got me to thinking about my youth and wondering if the play-by-play of the present matches my dreamy experiences of the past. I've certainly learned in my career that taste in broadcasters is completely subjective. I've been on job interviews where one potential boss criticized me for the exact same thing that another loved in me. So, with the risk of coming off as "holier than thou", here are my grades of our current local play-by-play guys, both on radio and television. Brad Sham, Cowboys Radio Play-By-Play We'll start with the cream of the crop, the dean of local play-by-play guys. Brad Sham has been calling Cowboys games for more than 30 years. Only two broadcasters in the history of the NFL have been associated with a team longer. He's had different color men in the booth with him but his style has never changed- he's informative, insightful of the game, critical of the Cowboys when he needs to be, and very funny as well. I think Sham's subtle sense of humor often goes underappreciated. He never draws attention to himself and lets the action speak for itself. I know of many Cowboys fans who turn the television down and turn Sham up for games. That's the ultimate compliment. Chuck Cooperstein, Mavericks Radio Play-By-Play "Coop", unlike Sham, is an imposing presence whose loud stamp is all over his broadcasts. The garrulous broadcaster is a popular figure in the Metroplex, having seemingly popped up on every radio station in town. He brings an intensity and immediacy to Mavericks games that were perhaps missing with past broadcasters. But he also spreads his emotion too easily and too early. I flipped on a preseason Mavs game last year and after Dirk hit down a three, Cooperstein was screaming with an intensity most would save for game seven of the NBA Finals. That's just his personality- everything is huge in the moment. But if that's his biggest flaw, so be it. Mark Followill, Mavericks Television Play-By-Play Followill has the benefit of having called Mavs games on the radio before his tv duties kicked in, giving him a unique perspective on the tube. His radio experience is a welcome relief on television, where fans usually want less instead of more during games. Followill combines a fan's enthusiasm with an analyst's wit, which works nicely alongside color man Bob Ortegel. He's also not afraid to criticize the Mavs when situations call for it, yet is sometimes too reserved on that count when he should go for more. That's a fine line to tread though, when you have working relationships to protect. Followill mostly navigates those delicate waters with grace. Eric Nadel, Rangers Radio Play-By-Play Eric Nadel doesn't have the deep voice and golden tones of other play-by-play guys around the country. What he does have, is everything else. He's that "everyman" you could be sitting at the bar with, having a drink. He knows the game inside and out and yet never sounds like he's talking down to you. He's talking with you. There's never been a more reassuring voice in the history of Dallas sports radio. After a heartbreaking loss, you can literally feel the pain in Nadel's voice. "That ball is history!" has long since taken its place in the lore of DFW sports history. Nadel formed an unbeatable team with the late Mark Holtz. But though he lost his good friend and broadcast partner to leukemia, Nadel has soldiered on admirably. No other local play-by-play man deserves to call a championship more. Let's hope he gets his chance. Josh Lewin, Rangers Television Play-By-Play I'm really split on Josh Lewin, as I imagine many Rangers fans are. There are some days he makes me laugh and provides some true insight into the personality of the team and the game. Then there are other days when I'm just left scratching my head. The man is a true sportscasting enigma. Lewin is obviously a bright chap with an seemingly endless supply of pop culture knowledge and baseball info. But he sometimes gives off the impression that he's just talking to hear himself speak. Watch an inning and you might get more information about the biggest movie at the box office that week rather than the streaky play of Marlon Byrd. When he's on his game and talking nothing but baseball, Lewin is a treat. But when he ventures off the path, who knows where he will tread. Ralph Strangis, Stars Play-By-Play Sorry, Ralph. I don't watch or listen to hockey on tv or radio. 4 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Shame you guys couldn't be bothered to a do even a little bit of research on Ralph and Razor. If you had you would realize you have two of the best commentators in their sport here, and I'm not even a Stars fan.
Add in Ralph's incredible personal story and it's certainly one of the more interesting stories out there.
Steve, you're right. I was just making a joke (albeit a lame one) about hockey not being the best sport for tv or radio. Ralph has won several awards and he's a terrific play-by-play guy. I'm not a big hockey guy but I know he's extremely popular in the Metroplex and has been for some time now.
Ralph and Razor are the best in the business. It is a shame that hockey doesn't get more publicity. Greatest sport there is.
Steve, I agree with all of your grades except for Lewin. Maybe he does talk about non-baseball subjects during the game, but sometimes that is the only thing that keeps me awake when I'm watching a 0-0 tie in the 5th on a 102° Sunday in August. When the game is boring, he isn't.