Another article criticizing TMac (et al)

Here's an article by Joshua Folck from LeHigh Valley Live criticizing the Phillies broadcast booth. Although he is way too generous in describing TMac's broadcasting ability, at least it's good to see him being criticized in print... or blog text or whatever. He also says Franzke does a great job and should get TV time.

"Philadelphia Phillies broadcast crew doesn't match team's success"

Tom McCarthy, the play-by-play man on TV for the Phillies, has a great broadcasting voice and shows a lot of excitement throughout the games. However, sometimes it feels as if McCarthy gets more excited for the promos than he does the action on the field. I'm not sure how many more "New York Life's Safe and Secure" at second base ads I can take.

The major issue for McCarthy might be he talks too much. Great baseball announcers, like Kalas, allow the game to breathe on TV and don't talk every second. It seems like McCarthy needs to comment on everything happening on-camera, whether it's a fan eating ice cream or the ball girl chasing after a foul ball. Sometimes McCarthy should just let the sights and sounds of the game speak for themselves.

Full article:

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/09/philadelphia_phillies_broadcas_1.html

Tug McGraw has passed, and so has his birthday!

He's Back!

Found on Youtube:

Tom McCarthy Bingo

courtesy mcare89 from Back She Goes

Get to the f'ing point

Yes this is really a professional broadcaster, rambling on and on aimlessly while a game is being played. What is the point he is leading to? The history of the Cardinals' "storied franchise"? Jack Clark's TV work? Whitey Herzog going into the hall of fame? Something about Lou Brock? Who the hell knows.

Sarge laugh derisively at TMac's idiocy

What a night.

We Lose, How About That!!!

Home run call from tonight's game

"A Little Dead Air Could Do Wonders"

Great article about McCarthy:
http://blog.pennlive.com/davidjones/2010/05/a_little_dead_air_could_do_won.html

excerpt:

Everyone I know around the Phillies and Saint Joseph's basketball vouches for McCarthy, about what a super guy he is. So, in essence, none of what I'm about to write matters much at all. His friends love him as a man and he has lots of friends, that much is apparent.

I just wish he would shut up once in a while. In basketball, they call it letting the game come to you. I want McCarthy to let the game come to him more often. A lot more often.

Baseball is a marathon, both in game-form and season-form. Nine innings commonly take over three hours anymore. The season lasts seven months. It's a game for sipping not guzzling.

Not only does McCarthy talk too much, he does it with that voice of the golden-throated pitchman, as if I'm being sold to nonstop. It's like spending an evening with a Realtor. I'm already on-board with the Phillies. I don't need them sold to me.

Everything is over the top. Even promotional segments between innings delivered with that gee-whiz voice. The effect is this: When something awesome happens, like Roy Halladay's perfect game, it just sounds like another 100-decibel pitch out of McCarthy's mouth.

Tambourine Giveaway

More from the "Mike Piazza Territory" game

TMac must've been really on top of his game this night. Here's two more excited home run calls for the other team, with an awful transition to go with it. 4/27/09.

Oh Boy, Lyle Overbay!

Blue Jays hit a 3 run home run to tie the Phils in a game the Phils eventually lose and TMac couldn't be more excited! 5/18/08.



audio:

video: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=2726840

On the Cusp of History!

5/16/08. Jayson Werth has hit 3 homeruns. A solo, 3 run, and a grand slam. Could Jayson achieve the impossible by hitting a 1,2,3 and 4 run home run all in the same game? A feat so rare and difficult, it had never been accomplished before in the history of the majors! Late in the game Jayson steps to the plate. There are two outs, the bases are empty. Can he do it? Can he hit a 2 run home run? Did I mention the bases were empty?

Classic TMac from '08

Bottom of the 8th inning, tie game 2-2. Your team's best slugger/former MVP is at the plate. What a better time to conduct an interview in the stands! Of course Howard hits a home run and TMac makes one of his awful transitions instead of letting Harry take over immediately. Also note TMac uses a pretty much normal voice instead of his phony baloney game show host voice that he uses today. Why can't he talk like that now? 5/1/08.

Long Gone? Guess what? Long Gone!

Forced laugh plus a really obnoxious home run call from tonight's game.

Oppo Boppo

One of TMac's "Oppo Boppo" calls for a Ryan Howard home run. From 7/20/09.

Don't have the details? Make them up!

The Mets pulled off a triple play against the Nationals as can be seen here on Youtube (These are the Mets broadcasters, not TMac)

While covering the Phillies game, TMac reports the triple play and Wheels asks for the details. TMac attempts to expound on the play based only on the scorecard line and completely screws up the details. From 5/19:

TMac Steals Wheeler's Material

Two clips here, the first is from 5/14/10. TMac makes his typically loud introduction and makes a head scratching comment about it being "good news" that the Phillies are the only team on the road. Then he throws it over to Wheeler. Note Wheeler's comment:



The next day TMac does a nationally broadcast game on Fox without Wheeler and "borrows" Wheeler's line while working with Mark Grace.

Willie Randolph Floated His Lips

On a nationally broadcast game on Fox. Mark Grace comments on a play where the Brewers' catcher threw to the wrong base on a bunt and TMac adds his own unique insight. From 5/15/10.

Up into the altitude...

TMac gets super excited when the opposing team hits a walkoff home run. From 5/12/10.

Who did what now?

TMac does his forced laugh after a mildly amusing Sarge comment then attempts to recount a play involving Rod Barajas. From 4/30/10.

Best. Poll. Ever.

A poll from the Philaphans forum last year. 93 Phillies fans voted. Not a single person said they liked Tom McCarthy's broadcasting.

Stern goofs on TMac

Another golden oldie. This is a clip of the Howard Stern show where they play part of a Phillies broadcast where Wheeler makes a freudian slip. But the real highlight is Howard and Robin Quivers goofing on TMac's phony announcer voice.

Mike Piazza Territory

From the greatest hits collection. TMac uses the occasion of an opposing player hitting a home run to rename Ashburn Alley after a former Met. 4/27/09.

TMac fails at humor while discussing a death

TMac and Chris Wheeler discuss the tragic passing of Rockies' president Keli McGregor. From 4/25/10.

Gardenening That Bushes

TMac commenting on Howard's grand slam.

G..Get...Get.....Get

TMac stammering through Polanco's hit last night.