Are all local sports broadcasters biased?

[joe678]

im a nets fan but i think sometimes raftery (the old guy) goes overboard. one play in particular when van horn clearly committed a charge and he was like, "OH GOD NO!! OH GOD!!". then on the clear replay he's like, "ok from this angle it looks like he might have charged"... is it like this everywhere esle?

 

[Doggiedog]

That's why I never watch sports on TBS especially when they are playing local teams.

 

[gopunk]

i think so... but it's good that way. i wouldn't want an objective announcer.

 

[Arschloch]

In most instances, yes, they are homers. If you watch any White Sox games on WGN, you'll see some of the worst. Hawk & DJ are two of the biggest homers I've ever heard, and listening to them annoys me to no end.

There are some who are better than others. Vin Scully, who calls Dodgers games, is a great announcer. I don't hear much homerism from him, and he's a great storyteller.

I'm from Cincinnati, and the guy who does local radio here is Marty Brenneman. While I often don't agree with what he says, he definitely has no problem stating what's on his mind, including when he thinks the Reds did something stupid.

 

[notfred]

Hopefully. Sportscasters should have a slight bias in favor of the home team.

 

[pyonir]

they guy that calls the PHX Coyotes games here is a BIG homer. Doug Mcleod..used to be the North Stars play by play guy...

 

[MazerRackham]

<< There are some who are better than others. Vin Scully, who calls Dodgers games, is a great announcer. I don't hear much homerism from him, and he's a great storyteller. >>



I couldn't agree more. Vin Scully is a GREAT sportscaster, and he doesn't even have a partner to help fill the in-between time

 

[UltraQuiet]

<< I'm from Cincinnati, and the guy who does local radio here is Marty Brenneman. While I often don't agree with what he says, he definitely has no problem stating what's on his mind, including when he thinks the Reds did something stupid. >>



You have to remember that these guys are usually employed by the local teams. I have listened to Brenneman ever since he came to Cincy ('74?) and he is a great announcer (Hall of fame). He wasn't always like that and when he does it now he gets called up on the carpet. There was a much publicized rift between hin and Griifey Jr. a couple of years ago that Brenneman almost got fired for. What long time Reds fans will tell you is that Marty used to make the same comments about Griffey Sr. Sr. is not the prima donna his son is and it was handled differently. I think the worst guys as far as bias goes is those clowns that do the braves games. Sometimes they are just downright sickening.

 

[Arschloch]

<< You have to remember that these guys are usually employed by the local teams. I have listened to Brenneman ever since he came to Cincy ('74?) and he is a great announcer (Hall of fame). He wasn't always like that and when he does it now he gets called up on the carpet. There was a much publicized rift between hin and Griifey Jr. a couple of years ago that Brenneman almost got fired for. What long time Reds fans will tell you is that Marty used to make the same comments about Griffey Sr. Sr. is not the prima donna his son is and it was handled differently. I think the worst guys as far as bias goes is those clowns that do the braves games. Sometimes they are just downright sickening. >>


Also, you may remember the squabble Marty had with Rob Dibble in the early-mid 90's. I don't recall exactly what Marty said, but Dibs took offense, and asked Marty to meet him. I believe that what ended up happening was Marty met Dibs down on the field before a game, and they worked out their differences.

I sometimes get the feeling that Marty says things JUST to be controversial. That is, I think he wants to say things that people will remember, or will make someone angry. I don't agree with that. But I still much prefer that than Hawk Harrelson on WGN or Skip Caray (aka Kermit the Frog) on TBS.

 

[jahawkin]

<< In most instances, yes, they are homers. If you watch any White Sox games on WGN, you'll see some of the worst. Hawk & DJ are two of the biggest homers I've ever heard, and listening to them annoys me to no end.
>>



I like Hawk and DJ alot (guess I should add I'm a sox fan). Looking at it as objectively as I can, I think Chip Carey and whatever chump they have with him are worse. At least Hawk and DJ don't claim to be impartial. Chip Carey tries to come across as impartial, but is so blatently pro-cub....it pisses me off listening to them.
What about the guy who does the Braves games for TBS....boooorrrrring

 

[Goth]

think the worst guys as far as bias goes is those clowns that do the braves games. Sometimes they are just downright sickening

I definitely agree with this. Skip Caray is a total homer. Didn't the Braves have a mascot called "Homer" several years ago (dork with a big baseball for a head)? Any relation to Skip?

His dad, the famous Cubs broadcaster, Harry Caray was also a homer. However, the way he called games and entertained the audience made you overlook how much he got excited whenever the Cubs made a good play. Many of those years were when the Cubs made about one good play a week so you could excuse him for a little excitement once in a blue moon

 

[joe678]

<< Hopefully. Sportscasters should have a slight bias in favor of the home team. >>



yea but there should still be a line between bias and "homerism" like almost defending kenyon martin's flagrant fouls as "tough physical play"

 

[b0mbrman]

They are as makes sense....people like listening to commentators who agree with them

Chick Hearn is one of the better ones at a good balance...he'll say when he thinks the Lakers did something stupid but he always looks at things from the perspective of an LA fan

 

[Arschloch]

<< His dad, the famous Cubs broadcaster, Harry Caray was also a homer. However, the way he called games and entertained the audience made you overlook how much he got excited whenever the Cubs made a good play. Many of those years were when the Cubs made about one good play a week so you could excuse him for a little excitement once in a blue moon >>


Harry Caray was, in my opinion, a bad announcer, but he made so many mistakes that it was worth listening to him.

Listening to him try to say Hector Villanueva was always great.

From what I understand, the first time he saw Marlins pitcher Antonio Alfonseca (who has six fingers on each hand), he really freaked out. I didn't hear that one, though.

Also, it was nice to know that he was blasted at nearly every game. "Shawon Dunston, this Bud's for you! *pop*!"

 

[Goth]

Another note regarding Braves announcers:

Is Don Sutton still announcing some of their televised games? There's another homer for you. He never even played for the Braves.

Hey Don, Mike and Greg Brady called. They said they want their perm back

 

[Goth]

Harry Caray was, in my opinion, a bad announcer, but he made so many mistakes that it was worth listening to him.

Agreed. His mistakes, whether intentional or not, were always entertaining. My brother and I used to get a kick out of some of his gaffs. We sometimes wondered if he was watching the same game, or if he'd had one too many Buds before game time/between innings

Remember the "I'm a Cubs fan and I'm a Bud man" commercial? It was hilarious just to see Harry attemp to dance while trying not to spill his Bud.

 

[HamSupLo]

Ralph Lawler- "Oh me of my!"

 

[Kelvrick]

<< They are as makes sense....people like listening to commentators who agree with them

Chick Hearn is one of the better ones at a good balance...he'll say when he thinks the Lakers did something stupid but he always looks at things from the perspective of an LA fan >>



He rules!

 

[bonk102]

yeah, i think so, that's what makes locals watch them though, because they know they're going to say good things about their teams