The Chill Factor
Many of you might not know that I worked in radio in the mid 90's doing news and sports reporting as well as play-by-play for local High School and Community College sports. Now this by no means makes me an expert, but I think it provides some credibility for the following remarks. Below are two clips from Super Bowl XLII. Listen to both and then decide which one has the "Chill Factor"; in other words which one gives you chills as you listen.
Marv (Yes) Alberts Call
Joe Buck Call
Now I generally like Joe Buck, (btw Joe's father Jack Buck, hands down the greatest play-by-play announcer ever, don't even argue with me about it) but he blows this call. Joe's philosphy is to be understated, and yes there is a difference between calling a game on TV and calling a game on the radio, but come on. As Bill Simmons of ESPN says:
Marv (Yes) Alberts Call
Joe Buck Call
Now I generally like Joe Buck, (btw Joe's father Jack Buck, hands down the greatest play-by-play announcer ever, don't even argue with me about it) but he blows this call. Joe's philosphy is to be understated, and yes there is a difference between calling a game on TV and calling a game on the radio, but come on. As Bill Simmons of ESPN says:
If you're a play-by-play announcer and you can't get excited for a play like that, then why are you doing this for a living? Only Pat Summerall could get away with deadpan calls for miracle plays, and I have to say, even Pat's voice might have cracked on that one. Over everything else, a play-by-play guy should be able to match the excitement of a particular game, right? How could Buck feel good about himself after that call? Imagine him doing the last seconds of the USA-USSR hockey game in 1980? "And the clock winds down ... and the Americans have done it." He should issue an apology to every Giants fan who would have put the call of that Manning-Tyree play on their answering machine or cell phone message.
Completely agree - Joe Buck blew this call. Marv Albert's was SOOO much more inline with the feeling you had actually watching the play.
Reply to this
I disagree with both of you. I had seen the two calls compared elsehwere, but I like the announcer to announce - I can figure out when to get excited. Joe B's call let the crowd speak. Marv sometimes makes the moment about Marv instead of the game. IMHO.
Reply to this
I have three words for you, "Miracle On Ice". Sure the win over the Soviets can stand on it's own, but the moment takes on an added mythical quality due to Al Michaels "Do you believe in Miracles?" call.
Reply to this