155 replies to this topic

[Foulkey Reese]

This is pretty hilarious. All of the homer talk aside, Sterling really is awful at describing what's going on during the game. Nice to see somebody knock him down a few pegs.

John Sterling, the radio Voice of the Yankees and a man who has always cherished the sound of his own voice while placing strained self-promotion over good-faith play-by-play, has created and cemented a dilemma: Every game played by the Yankees is a double-header -- the game that's played and the game Sterling calls.

This weekend, the games Sterling described did not exist. Some examples:

In the eighth inning Saturday, Sterling called a game-tying home run by Hideki Matsui -- Sterling gave it his, "It is high . . . !" routine, culminating with, "It is gone!" But the ball, as Sterling several seconds later acknowledged, didn't even reach the wall on the fly; it bounced over it.

And radio-reliant Yankee fans again were led to believe that a Yankee batter had performed the ultimate -- had hit a home run -- when he hadn't.

In the fourth inning of Saturday's game, Sterling and Suzyn Waldman fabricated a story. Johnny Damon lost sight of a pop fly as he approached the stands along the left-field line. Damon missed the ball, plain and simple as that.

But on the Yankees' radio network, Sterling claimed the ball fell from Damon's glove. Nonsense. Then Waldman added, "He had to fight a fan with a glove." But there was no fan with a glove, no fan hindrance at all.

Later, Sterling would repeat that "fan with the glove interference story" as fact, as the eyewitness testimony of the Voice of the Yankees. But it never happened, nothing even close.

The next batter, Damon, struck out on a 3-2 pitch that Sterling thought was strike two. Although the YES monitor in front of him showed a full count, Sterling blamed his error on the scoreboard operator.

In the top of the second, Sterling was so eager to describe a spectacular 6-4-3 double play, so eager to put his hollering pre-fab excesses to every play, he became the last in the house to notice that it wasn't a double play; the low throw to first wasn't caught.

Yesterday, Sterling didn't bother to describe, as it happened, a seventh-inning wild pitch that made it 2-0, Twins. He suddenly declared that a run just scored, then explained it.

http://www.nypost.co...erli_169830.htm

[Buck Showalter]

I thought this was a thread about John Sterling getting drunk.

Seriously...this is Mushnick (who I really like) being bored and deciding to 'shoot the fish in a barrel'.

Criticism toward Sterling and Waldman almost looks like piling-on at this point...it's a circus-act...leave it alone and enjoy the bad-joke.

[jon abbey]

Yeah, I've listened to him do an inning or two on the radio only to later watch those same innings on DVR and find that he misdescribed what was going on to such an extent as to make listening to him pretty much pointless. I feel really bad for my blind friend who is a Yankees fan and who listens to the Sterling/Waldman combo to try to understand what's going on with them. As a Yankees fan myself, I think that Sterling/Waldman still having jobs is a total joke and as I said in the Yankee section last week, if I owned the team, firing the two of them would literally be my first move as owner.

[jon abbey]

Criticism toward Sterling and Waldman almost looks like piling-on at this point...it's a circus-act...leave it alone and enjoy the bad-joke.

Except Mushnick's job is media commentary and somehow these two still have jobs. I normally dislike Phil M also, but kudos to him for occasionally pointing out the elephant in the room, that Sterling is really bad at his job.

[Haunted]

At the risk of piling on, I'll never forget driving through NY one time with my brother (taking him to Baltimore on a college visit). It was in 2004 I believe. I don't even remember who they were playing, but to me, this sums up John Sterling completely.

A Yankee was at bat and the we hear from Sterling (paraphrasing, obviously): "[player] swings, and IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS.... caught. By the second baseman."

[brienc]

Yeah, I've listened to him do an inning or two on the radio only to later watch those same innings on DVR and find that he misdescribed what was going on to such an extent as to make listening to him pretty much pointless.

I had the exact same experience during the last Sox/Yanks series in NYC. I was driving around listening to Sterling do the game. When I got home and fired up the DVR, I saw something so completely different than what was described earlier that all I could do was laugh.

[johnmd20]

I thought this was a thread about John Sterling getting drunk.

Seriously...this is Mushnick (who I really like) being bored and deciding to 'shoot the fish in a barrel'.

Criticism toward Sterling and Waldman almost looks like piling-on at this point...it's a circus-act...leave it alone and enjoy the bad-joke.

He needs the criticism. The problem is, Sterling gets a lot of play on ESPN when he does his "An A BOMB FROOOOOM A ROD," so the monster gets fed by other media outlets when it should die die die or literally be mocked as embarrassingly bad. I do recall recently hearing a show mock Sterling's calls, I think it was SNY and it made me happy.

I'm not sure how Sterling has a job considering how bad and self promoting he is.

[mikeford]

Wait... how does someone outright LIE about whats going on (The Damon fan interference thing) and keep their job?

It is one thing to be incompetent and suck at your job... it is entirely another to MAKE THINGS UP.

[Foulkey Reese]

The BBTN guys mock him constantly. He gets play on ESPN, but they're almost always doing it to make fun of him.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH A TEXT MESSAGE from....errr...Teixeiragroundsintoadoubleplayberightback.

[IpswichSox]

I heard the first couple of bad calls on Saturday in the early innings. I think the blown count, when he blamed the scoreboard operator, was in the same inning as the faux double play. It was an exceedingly embarrassing 10 minutes of radio. It was so bad, I was wondering if Sterling was having a medical emergency in the booth.

[pedro1918]

Wait... how does someone outright LIE about whats going on (The Damon fan interference thing) and keep their job?

It is one thing to be incompetent and suck at your job... it is entirely another to MAKE THINGS UP.

I don't think he was lying, I just think he is blind.

[jon abbey]

He gets play on ESPN, but they're almost always doing it to make fun of him.

Their #1 play of the day Saturday night on Sportscenter was A-Rod's walkoff, and they played Sterling's excruciating call of it in its entirety, not one iota of mocking involved.

The guy is so bad he makes Michael Kay look good by comparison, you really don't need to know much more than that.

[Plantiers Wart]

And he never gives the score.....you're better off getting it in a "twenty-twenty" flash than from him during a game.

[Drew7]

And the sky is blue. Seriously though, When I go to the stadium for Sox/Yanks games, and I listen to their radio broadcast while I watch, and I'm amazed at how different the actual game is from how he's calling it. I get a good fucking laugh out of it.
I remember one call that Francesa was was laughing his ass of about was something to the effect of "There's a line drive base hit up the middle...*dead air*..uh.... its gone! How do you like that?" BRUTAL.

[jtn46]

I think you have to kind of let this stuff go. Sterling doesn't do a terrific job calling the game if you're looking for accuracy, no, but he has a really great youthful enthusiasm for it, has a terrific voice, and I think the WCBS broadcast is a lot of fun, where a lot of broadcasts aren't.

I think he's a lot better than Kay, who can't read balls off the bat either, often thinks he knows baseball rules and traditions better than the actual former baseball players in the booth next to him, and who is king of the shit-stirrers. Kay's exactly the kind of guy to criticize Manny for watching a homerun, Papelbon for fist-pumping after closing a game, etc... but never going after Joba for doing the same thing. When Damon had a beard as a Sox player, Kay was practically tearing the booth apart in anger, he acts immature in the clubhouse for the Yankees and it's exactly the breath of fresh air that team needs. He just comes off like a major hypocrite.

Sterling is dopey, but he's harmless. He doesn't get involved in criticizing other teams, and instead shows a respect and joy for the game that I think Kay really lacks. I used to want to really hear Sterling make a "Red Sox win" call thinking he would do that call in a somber voice, but honestly, usually he called it with the same excitement he'd call a Yankee win...again, compare that to Joe C who often calls an opposing win or homerun with such sadness you'd think he was announcing that a litter of adorable puppies just got run over.

[pedro1918]

I used to want to really hear Sterling make a "Red Sox win" call thinking he would do that call in a somber voice, but honestly, usually he called it with the same excitement he'd call a Yankee win...

Huh?

I have never heard Sterling say "RED SOX WIN!! THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE RED SOX WIIIIIIIN!"

He usually just states firmly "Boston wins."

[Drew7]

I think he's a lot better than Kay, who can't read balls off the bat either, often thinks he knows baseball rules and traditions better than the actual former baseball players in the booth next to him, and who is king of the shit-stirrers. Kay's exactly the kind of guy to criticize Manny for watching a homerun, Papelbon for fist-pumping after closing a game, etc... but never going after Joba for doing the same thing. When Damon had a beard as a Sox player, Kay was practically tearing the booth apart in anger, he acts immature in the clubhouse for the Yankees and it's exactly the breath of fresh air that team needs. He just comes off like a major hypocrite.

Sterling is dopey, but he's harmless.

I totally understand you point, but this isn't a Sterling vs. Kay thread. That argument is easy. I totally agree with everything you've said about Kay, but come on, we're just having a little fun at Sterling's expense. No one is being malicious I don't think (except maybe Mushnick). There is some reason I listen to the broadcast when I go to the Stadium. His miscalls are fucking hilarious though.

[jon abbey]

Dunno, I'd be happy to see both die in a wildfire, but I can occasionally tolerate Kay and I have pretty much zero tolerance for Sterling. At least Kay is somewhat informed since he became an afternoon host in addition to his Yankee gig, although he's still not anywhere near as knowledgable as he should be. Sterling seems like it's all about him and the game is an afterthought, and I want to rip his smug head off his shoulders and stuff it up his ass. And, again, I'm a Yankee fan.

I miss the Scooter.

[jtn46]

Huh?

I have never heard Sterling say "RED SOX WIN!! THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE RED SOX WIIIIIIIN!"

He usually just states firmly "Boston wins."

He doesn't do the canned call, no, but he still says "Boston Wins" with enthusiasm, which, as I said, is more than we get from Joe C.

I totally understand you point, but this isn't a Sterling vs. Kay thread. That argument is easy. I totally agree with everything you've said about Kay, but come on, we're just having a little fun at Sterling's expense. No one is being malicious I don't think (except maybe Mushnick). There is some reason I listen to the broadcast when I go to the Stadium. His miscalls are fucking hilarious though.

Oh, I'm totally laughing at Sterling and not with him a lot of the time, but hey, I'm entertained, right?

Sports broadcasters, as a rule really, really suck. Sterling certainly sucks, but at least his brand of suck is a lot of fun, you know?

[Carmen Fanzone]

I heard the first couple of bad calls on Saturday in the early innings. I think the blown count, when he blamed the scoreboard operator, was in the same inning as the faux double play. It was an exceedingly embarrassing 10 minutes of radio. It was so bad, I was wondering if Sterling was having a medical emergency in the booth.

Same here. I was actually mildly concerned for him.

On the Damon strikeout, you could hear that he'd taken off his headset and was yelling at someone in the booth (the production assistant? scorekeeper? Suzyn?) off mic. Mind you, this was BETWEEN the "strike two" call and the "he's out" call. It was more important to chew somebody out that report what had actually happened. Then, when he got back on mic, he said "we MUST get a pitch counter up here in the booth if the scoreboard operators are going to continue to get the count wrong."

I went from concerned back to appalled at what an ass he is.

The double play call was classic:
"Jeter, flips to Cano, on to first... DOUBLE PLAY. OH WHAT A DOUBLE PLAY!! WHAT A SCOOP BY TEIXEIRA!! CANO WITH A TREMENDOUS TURN AT SECOND, AND THE YANKEES TURN JUST A GREAT DOUBLE PLAY. (pause) Ummm, why are they calling the runner at first safe?"

[Foulkey Reese]

Sports broadcasters, as a rule really, really suck. Sterling certainly sucks, but at least his brand of suck is a lot of fun, you know?

I agree with this to an extent, but Sterling acts like such an insufferable pompous ass that he's incredibly easy to dislike. If he just had an ounce of humility, he would be a lot easier to tolerate.

[DLew On Roids]

I think you have to kind of let this stuff go. Sterling doesn't do a terrific job calling the game if you're looking for accuracy, no, but he has a really great youthful enthusiasm for it, has a terrific voice, and I think the WCBS broadcast is a lot of fun, where a lot of broadcasts aren't.

I think he's a lot better than Kay, who can't read balls off the bat either, often thinks he knows baseball rules and traditions better than the actual former baseball players in the booth next to him, and who is king of the shit-stirrers. Kay's exactly the kind of guy to criticize Manny for watching a homerun, Papelbon for fist-pumping after closing a game, etc... but never going after Joba for doing the same thing. When Damon had a beard as a Sox player, Kay was practically tearing the booth apart in anger, he acts immature in the clubhouse for the Yankees and it's exactly the breath of fresh air that team needs. He just comes off like a major hypocrite.

Sterling is dopey, but he's harmless. He doesn't get involved in criticizing other teams, and instead shows a respect and joy for the game that I think Kay really lacks. I used to want to really hear Sterling make a "Red Sox win" call thinking he would do that call in a somber voice, but honestly, usually he called it with the same excitement he'd call a Yankee win...again, compare that to Joe C who often calls an opposing win or homerun with such sadness you'd think he was announcing that a litter of adorable puppies just got run over.

A punch in the throat isn't as bad as a punch in the balls, but that doesn't mean I want one.

The way you describe Sterling could be used to describe any number of minor league or college radio guys around the country. Just because a guy loves his job and has a fun broadcast (which is debatable, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt here) doesn't meet the standard for major market sports broadcasting.

[jtn46]

A punch in the throat isn't as bad as a punch in the balls, but that doesn't mean I want one.

The way you describe Sterling could be used to describe any number of minor league or college radio guys around the country. Just because a guy loves his job and has a fun broadcast (which is debatable, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt here) doesn't meet the standard for major market sports broadcasting.

Hey, if you want a major purge of sports broadcasters, I'm all for it. I think most of them suck a lot. Pointing out why Sterling sucks is funny, sure, and I'm not saying people don't have perfectly valid points, but at least his shitty broadcast is entertaining to me, so I guess I care less than I would care about say, the ESPN guys, or the White Sox TV guys.

[Tony C]

I think you have to kind of let this stuff go. Sterling doesn't do a terrific job calling the game if you're looking for accuracy, no, but he has a really great youthful enthusiasm for it, has a terrific voice, and I think the WCBS broadcast is a lot of fun, where a lot of broadcasts aren't.

I think he's a lot better than Kay, who can't read balls off the bat either, often thinks he knows baseball rules and traditions better than the actual former baseball players in the booth next to him, and who is king of the shit-stirrers. Kay's exactly the kind of guy to criticize Manny for watching a homerun, Papelbon for fist-pumping after closing a game, etc... but never going after Joba for doing the same thing. When Damon had a beard as a Sox player, Kay was practically tearing the booth apart in anger, he acts immature in the clubhouse for the Yankees and it's exactly the breath of fresh air that team needs. He just comes off like a major hypocrite.

Sterling is dopey, but he's harmless. He doesn't get involved in criticizing other teams, and instead shows a respect and joy for the game that I think Kay really lacks. I used to want to really hear Sterling make a "Red Sox win" call thinking he would do that call in a somber voice, but honestly, usually he called it with the same excitement he'd call a Yankee win...again, compare that to Joe C who often calls an opposing win or homerun with such sadness you'd think he was announcing that a litter of adorable puppies just got run over.

thanks for this. i was reading this thread and agreeing with a i of the specifics, but also thinking...hey, he still make a game fun to listen to. wasn't quite sure how to put that, but you did it well. for listening to a game at the beach or on a stoop and not worrying if he miscalled a DP ball, Sterling is well above the cut, imho.

[CaptainLaddie]

So what if he's "fun"? Carrot Top is "fun", it doesn't mean he's talented.

[Everybody Loves Rey Quinones]

I agree with this to an extent, but Sterling acts like such an insufferable pompous ass that he's incredibly easy to dislike. If he just had an ounce of humility, he would be a lot easier to tolerate.

I agree and "love" how John and Suzyn can take a play that didn't happen and justify if it had then the Yanks would either be ahead or or have won. For instance, "if that ball in the 4th that Arod hit was fair instead of foul 3 runs could have scored and the Yanks would be ahead 6-4 instead of down 4-3." Yes, and if a blimp crashed into the stands the game would have been called too John. I do tune in when the Yanks are in rut or getting crushed by the Sox as I do relish when John and Suzyn turn on their beloved boys and start whining when plays aren't made. I also like it when the Yanks lose in extra innings and John and Suzyn complain about the length of games. It's like listening to someone's great grandparents complain that the early bird special doesn't start at 2 o'clock.

I would digress a bit here and say that even though I am a Bruins fan, Jack Edwards does alot of the same BS that Sterling tries to do. If I were an opposing fan, I would equate Edwards w/ Sterling, or Hawk Harrelson.

[Fred not Lynn]

Sports broadcasters, as a rule really, really suck.

If, as a rule, the majority of the practioners of a profession really, really suck - wouldn't that be a sign that the profession is either really hard to be good at, and/or that the expectations of the casual observer are unrealistic?

[cannonball 1729]

I would digress a bit here and say that even though I am a Bruins fan, Jack Edwards does alot of the same BS that Sterling tries to do. If I were an opposing fan, I would equate Edwards w/ Sterling, or Hawk Harrelson.

Edwards is a vociferous homer. Harrelson is a vociferous homer who falls back on two or three catch phrases, one of which is the most grating in sports ("You can put it on the boaaard...."), and can't articulate anything of interest about the game as it's unfolding; much of his "analysis" comes off like Eric Dickerson's "This is a Cleat" report. (My favorite was when Hawk "explained" matchups; he told us that "managers look at matchups, before the game, when managers are looking at the teams, they look at matchups because they gotta think about how players match up, so they look at matchups..." for two solid minutes.).

If I were a fan of another team, I would not be a fan of Jack Edwards, but Hawk is on his own level of homerism and inanity.

Edited by cannonball 1729, 18 May 2009 - 11:25 PM.

[jon abbey]

If, as a rule, the majority of the practioners of a profession really, really suck - wouldn't that be a sign that the profession is either really hard to be good at, and/or that the expectations of the casual observer are unrealistic?

The third option is that the typical selection process is quite flawed, for instance pretty much only former prominent players can be color guys, and I'm sure that leaves out some potentially very talented possibilities.

[BoSox Fan]

Did anyone ever get a chance to hear him do NY Islander games (must of been the late 70's).

Every time the Islanders scored he would just start screaming "Islander goal Islander goal Islander goal Islander goal Islander goal" It was done in a very fast manner,

[johnmd20]

So what if he's "fun"? Carrot Top is "fun", it doesn't mean he's talented.

Yeah, what the fuck, how is anyone in here talking about Sterling in anything but a negative way?

[Worst Trade Evah]

Sterling has really grown on me. He's a goof-up and all, and an easy target, but he's just pleasant to listen to -- good voice, loves the game, occasionally has something interesting to say. He's a homer, but he's not Harrelson. If the Sox aren't on, and I have a choice of Mets or Yankees, I listen to Sterling. His schtick just doesn't bother me that much now (maybe it's because the Yankees haven't been as successful lately).

I liked Trupiano, too, so there's that. Though, I'm really enjoying the Dave O'Brien era -- I think I prefer him to Joe now. Is that wrong?

[JimD]

It's a shame that a guy with Sterling's pipes, who could be one of the signature baseball broadcasters in the country, is as in love with his little catchphrases as any young ESPN wannabe trying to make themselves known on 'Sportscenter'.

[glennhoffmania]

The third option is that the typical selection process is quite flawed, for instance pretty much only former prominent players can be color guys, and I'm sure that leaves out some potentially very talented possibilities.

This is exactly right. There are some very good announcers out there, but there is definitely a shortage of them. And it's because the selection rarely seem to be based on ability. I can't believe some of the former players who have jobs on the networks right now.

As for Sterling and Suzy, it doesn't get much worse than that. I actually prefer them to Kay though, because he's just an incredibly insufferable and smug piece of crap. The radio idiots make me laugh once in a while with their stupidity, but for some reason no matter how stupid Kay's comments are, they just annoy me.

[runnels3]

I agree and "love" how John and Suzyn can take a play that didn't happen and justify if it had then the Yanks would either be ahead or or have won. For instance, "if that ball in the 4th that Arod hit was fair instead of foul 3 runs could have scored and the Yanks would be ahead 6-4 instead of down 4-3." Yes, and if a blimp crashed into the stands the game would have been called too John.

And of course never a reference to the other team's "what ifs."

To his credit, Sterling's call of the final out in the '04 ALCS was fair and professional, and even a little excitable.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

And of course never a reference to the other team's "what ifs."

To his credit, Sterling's call of the final out in the '04 ALCS was fair and professional, and even a little excitable.

I'm reasonably sure that was Steiner. I seem to remember hearing a clip of Steiner announcing Embree was into the game. Game ended 2 pitches later.

[runnels3]

I'm reasonably sure that was Steiner. I seem to remember hearing a clip of Steiner announcing Embree was into the game. Game ended 2 pitches later.

Hmm maybe someone could settle this. I remember hearing the clip and thinking hey not bad for Sterling. Not sure that Steiner would be closing out a game in the 9th either.

[Foulkey Reese]

Found this on Google:

"Ballgame Over. ALCS over. Boston wins!" - John Sterling

Edited by Foulkey Reese, 19 May 2009 - 12:10 PM.

[Buckner's Boots]

I liked Trupiano, too, so there's that. Though, I'm really enjoying the Dave O'Brien era -- I think I prefer him to Joe now. Is that wrong?

Hijack: Preferring Dave to Joe is not wrong. Liking Trupiano is.
Incidentally, the "Can you believe it?" of Castiglione reeks of trying to have a signature call, but failing miserably.

We now return you to the ritual skewering of John Sterling.

[Shelterdog]

This is exactly right. There are some very good announcers out there, but there is definitely a shortage of them. And it's because the selection rarely seem to be based on ability. I can't believe some of the former players who have jobs on the networks right now.

As for Sterling and Suzy, it doesn't get much worse than that. I actually prefer them to Kay though, because he's just an incredibly insufferable and smug piece of crap. The radio idiots make me laugh once in a while with their stupidity, but for some reason no matter how stupid Kay's comments are, they just annoy me.

Possibility four is that the selection process works for what its intended to find (for local radio: amiable homers who can comfortably segue into a pitch and who are also are going to be pros for 200 or more preseason, regular season and post season games a year) but not for what the SoSH cellar dwellers want (tons of information and as much real analysis as possible).

[Adirondack jack]

I'm reasonably sure that was Steiner. I seem to remember hearing a clip of Steiner announcing Embree was into the game. Game ended 2 pitches later.

Charley Steiner wiki page

His last game being Game Seven of the 2004 American League Championship Series. He was originally slated to move to the YES Network as a studio host, but after Ross Porter, longtime radio voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Steiner's favorite team growing up, with the team still based in Brooklyn) was let go by the team, Steiner was hired to take his place.

Steiner and Sterling were both in the booth as Charley worked as the play-by-play partner.

I'd take Sterling over Kay any day of the week and twice on Tuesday. He is theatrical and entertaining (Kay is neither). Perhaps the hate would be equal if it were the late 90's again.

edit: past tense...worked from works

Edited by Adirondack jack, 19 May 2009 - 02:02 PM.

[Bucknahs Bum Ankle]

No Sterling thread would be complete without this:

[glennhoffmania]

Possibility four is that the selection process works for what its intended to find (for local radio: amiable homers who can comfortably segue into a pitch and who are also are going to be pros for 200 or more preseason, regular season and post season games a year) but not for what the SoSH cellar dwellers want (tons of information and as much real analysis as possible).

Yeah that may be, but even if you're not a cellar dweller it would be nice if the announcer was at least reasonably well-spoken, accurate in his descriptions, somewhat knowledgeable about things in baseball besides what's going on with his team, and not completely boring. One guy that comes to mind is Blowers. This guy puts me to sleep every time I hear him, and he adds very little to the broadcast.

[jon abbey]

Possibility four is that the selection process works for what its intended to find (for local radio: amiable homers who can comfortably segue into a pitch and who are also are going to be pros for 200 or more preseason, regular season and post season games a year) but not for what the SoSH cellar dwellers want (tons of information and as much real analysis as possible).

I'm not even talking about local guys. John Kruk, Steve Phillips, Joe Morgan, if I clicked on a random member here and let them train for a few months, chances are good they'd be better than any of these incoherent bozos.

[8slim]

I'm not even talking about local guys. John Kruk, Steve Phillips, Joe Morgan, if I clicked on a random member here and let them train for a few months, chances are good they'd be better than any of these incoherent bozos.

Ha. No, chances are the "random member" would be pretty awful even after a few months of training. I'm not suggesting these guys are at the top of their profession, just that its always easy to the guy sitting on his keyboard not actually doing any of it. But such is the Internet.

[Tony C]

So what if he's "fun"? Carrot Top is "fun", it doesn't mean he's talented.

but Sterling is talented. he's got great pipes and while the stories at the start of the thread about him goofing up simple things obviously don't speak well of him, in my experience he's perfectly competent at the nuts and bolts (and I wonder if he's getting old). I mean, just compare him to Suzyn (even how she spells her name makes my skin crawl), Kay, or Harrelson. Sterling is clearly better than those three: a voice made for radio, not nearly as much a homer and...well....pretty much what Worst Trade Evah says below. I'm not saying he's great, but radio's for listening and he's an easy guy to listen to. If I was a Yankee fan I'd think so all the more.

Sterling has really grown on me. He's a goof-up and all, and an easy target, but he's just pleasant to listen to -- good voice, loves the game, occasionally has something interesting to say. He's a homer, but he's not Harrelson. If the Sox aren't on, and I have a choice of Mets or Yankees, I listen to Sterling. His schtick just doesn't bother me that much now (maybe it's because the Yankees haven't been as successful lately).

I liked Trupiano, too, so there's that. Though, I'm really enjoying the Dave O'Brien era -- I think I prefer him to Joe now. Is that wrong?

[8slim]

A critique of Sterling would be better if it came from anyone other than Phil Mushnick.

He is one of the worst human beings on the planet.

[Buffalo Head]

It was absolutely Sterling who made the final out call of the 2004 ALCS.

One of the great Mike and Dog moments came the day after the Yankees lost Game 5 to Anaheim in 2005. They replayed all of Sterling's calls from the ninth inning and goofed on all of it. The money shot was Sterling's call of A-Rod's double play ball, which included 35 seconds of silence following the play. The assumption was that Sterling was so upset about the DP, he got up and walked away for a half-minute to regain his composure. For the rest of the inning, Sterling kept complaining about the double play. I thought Russo was going to pass out from laughing so hard.

[LoweTek]

Ha. No, chances are the "random member" would be pretty awful even after a few months of training. I'm not suggesting these guys are at the top of their profession, just that its always easy to the guy sitting on his keyboard not actually doing any of it. But such is the Internet.

I've done it on radio (college baseball among other college sports), I can assure you it isn't easy. The state of concentration necessary to say relevant things, annunciate clearly while raising your normal speaking decibel level, demonstrate through your voice the tension of the game situation, be entertaining and accurate, and seemingly simply to remember to give the inning, score, bases and outs situation and count often enough all while actually knowing what you're talking about sounds simple. It's not. You're essentially painting a picture with words to a "blind" audience, some of whom tune in for two minutes, some have it on the background paying close attention only sporadically. It's an art form, no doubt. Few can do it well. Afterward, I was as exhausted as if I'd played in the game when I did radio.

To be clear, I'm not defending Sterling. There's no excuse for missing plays. He's got great pipes but also is a homer pandering to his audience. To be fair, that's what he's paid for. The "Tex Message" thing was over the top for me though. The "only if" this happened or that happened isn't good either. But that's what the listeners are thinking too so he plays into it. If Waldman didn't talk, I could listen to him. And I do on occasion.

[Foulkey Reese]

A critique of Sterling would be better if it came from anyone other than Phil Mushnick.

He is one of the worst human beings on the planet.

Reason?