Top Five Sportscasters

Looking back over my year of blogging I tried to decide what my favorite post was. After scrolling over the pages it would have to be my top ten worst sportscasters.

http://mwjergs-voicesinsidemyhead.blogspot.com/2008/06/hit-mute-button.html

http://mwjergs-voicesinsidemyhead.blogspot.com/2008/06/hit-mute-button-part-deux.html

Click above if you want to relive all the frivolity. I enjoyed it so much I gave you the flip side of the microphone coin and just gave my top five basketball announcers in honor of March Madness. Let me please expand my list to include any and all who give news or analysis. On to the countdown.

1- BILL RAFTERY

Anyone who truly knows me must have figured Coach Raff would end up at the top of the charts. He needs to release a Raftery to English translation guide. He can get away with being goofy and shouting his trademark sayings , "Wit Da Kiss" - for a shot off the glass and "Onions!" - for a player with huge cajones and not sound forced. He is the anti-Vitale. He knows when to let the action speak for itself and when to interject some enthusiasm. Who else could compare a basketball shot to a Belgian Waffle? SO SWEET!!




2- AL MICHAELS

He's done it all from working with blowhardard Howard Cosell to helping fans decipher John Madden's grunts and booms. He is always in a helping mood, even when it comes to "totally farcial" calls from Stern's crew about O.J. Well looky here. But his best moment is declaring the miracle on ice.



3- MARV ALBERT

The man that was so good we had a drinking game named after him during the 92' NBA Finals. You drink every time he bellows ,"YES!" My friend, only the strong survived that night. He was always best with his tiny czar next to him Mike Fratello. The guy has a thousand calls, hence the drinking game. Players could shoot "From downtown" or "get the step" at any time. Sure he likes to bite women and wear strange undergarments but after his scandal in 97' he was rehired in two years. He was calling LeBron's circus shot last night for TNT. I grabbed a cup and remembered the old days. YES, and it counts!



4- HUBIE BROWN

I can't tell you how upset I was when I made the trip a the Nike Coaches clinic and found out that Hubie would not be there. His talks were legendary, not just for the amounts of knowledge but for the number of f-bombs that would fly. His coaching tapes are gold. Behind the mic, he's even better. He may have the leathery look of a worn handbag but he knows his stuff. "If you're the Knicks, you're happy. You are shooting a high percentage in the painted area and the Michael Jordan is in foul trouble." He never called it the lane it was always the painted area.The clip I have is classic as Scottie Pippen posterizes Patrick Ewing and then points at Spike Lee. The NBA playoffs used to be so much fun.



5- JAMES BROWN / SUZY KOLBER

Ok, I cheated I snuck two in here. JB is as solid as it gets as a lead guy.He's one of the few reasons to check out CBS' NFL coverage as he tries to keep Dan Marino and Boomer Esiason at arms length and from Shannon Sharpe stumbling over the English language.Witness.



Women sportscasters always have more to overcome. First most people look at how pretty they are. Yes, Suzy is cute as a button granted so I am watching. But second, women always have to prove they know a little something or they are just seen as eye candy. Here is where Suzy scores again. She doesn't have me so entranced that wouldn't see through vapid commentary. Plus anyone who has to fend off a drunk and horny Joe Namath gets major professional points.I want to kiss you too Suzy I just don't say it on nationwide tv. Show some class Joseph.