Lots of Chile's Corner Feedback
Just coming in from a long day of BBQ, beer, and watching fireworks. There's nothing like Northwest weather in the summer, it makes up for the clouds the rest of the year (remind me I said this come January).
Came home to lots and lots of email. My apologies if I didn't respond to yours directly tonight. Here's a proportionate sample of the opinions that have rolled through here:
Bruce, originally from New Hampshire and currently in the military, says: As for Donny O, great guy, grew up right near me in North Conway, NH -- but boring as hell -- and should NEVER have gotten the full-time gig over Sean. Counting the days til the Orsillo era ends. Thanks for letting me vent.
Chris writes: I hope more people speak out and cause NESN to improve their broadcasts. I know that won't happen, but I can dream.
Someone who didn't leave his or her name writes: I have been wondering why I was content to "watch" the Sox this year with the sound off. Of course, Sean is gone. Don is a company man to the extreme. He is obviously scared to death of the ownership, so he refrains from any negative comments concerning the Sox which drives me crazy. Do they think we are stupid? When they screw up, say so!
Andy says: Good column. I think the broadcasts have become bland as well. I like Remy but the Remdog love-fest has to end. Dandy Don has to develop a personality and stop laughing at everything Remy says. The constant NESN reminders are very annoying.
Stephen writes: I am a native New Englander living in Ohio and am (and always will be!) an avid Bosox fan. I agree that NESN broadcasts are somewhat boring
due to overcommercialization; but McDonough not being there is not the reason.
I feel you incredibly overrate Remy and McDonough. Remy rarely has anything incisive to say and McDonough was and still is a very bitter man in his views of the Sox. Its one thing to be opinionated and provocative, its another to bash the Sox with half-truths.
For example, his views on the new ownership (they are cheap) was absurd. I could list many other "over the top" examples of statements which were simply inaccurate or hyperbolic. Most fans are not knowledgeable enough to recognize Mc Donough's agenda (hated the new ownership). I will concede that Sean has a great "voice" and at times was/is clever.
Re: Remy. ... why is he so popular in New England? I just don't get it! He frequently seems distracted (e.g., talking about Wally the mascot) and harps about "Small-ball" without ever analyzing the trade-offs of such an approach. His grammar is horrible and that accent is grating!
Mark writes: I couldn't agree more with your analysis. Don Orsillo does a nice job calling the game, seems like a nice guy, but adds no wit/humor or critical analysis of the game. He is a total bore. I miss Sean McDonough also and he was devastated when they didn't bring him back, even though all he did the last couple of years was Friday nites and some Sunday's. It came down to money, not just him being critical, Orsillo works for peanuts compared to what McDonough commanded after 16 years.
Karl writes: Bulls-eye.
I always felt baseball was a game of suspense.
When NESN (& others) "cram every last second of the broadcast with some sort of visual or noise pollution" they destroy the suspense.
Speaking only for myself, the noise (pollution) level at many ballparks (including Fenway) often ruins the atmosphere of suspense. I attend minor league games, but I watch the Red Sox on television with the sound usually muted, and listen to the radio (or follow on the internet).
I think the reasons for Sean McDonough's departure were rather complicated, but he was my favorite announcer since Gowdy.
Sure looks like we're onto something here, no? If you disagree with what's been written here the past couple days, you're just as welcome to email us with your thoughts.
One thing I wish I had made more clear originally regarding DirecTV: It isn't as though I've sampled all 30 team broadcasts in depth. I'm kinda nuts, but not enough to spend three hours watching the D-Rays play the Royals. There could very well be worse broadcasts out there. Again, the best way I can put it is that opposing team broadcasts have been far more tolerable on the eyes and ears than NESN feeds.
Oh, and, Dave's World's Official Tennis Guru, Bucknell Jared, checks in again with his thoughts on Wimbledon and more:
brief thoughts on the men's final:
First set -- I think Roger Federer may be a robot.
Second set -- Yep, Roger Federer is definitely a machine.
Third set -- Andy Roddick is asking somebody, anybody, to unplug
Federer...maybe remove his Intel processor.
My favorite Joe Morgan line of the holiday weekend:
"yah, it's like that age-old saying -- it's gonna take 3 one-run HRs to
beat me" (in talking about how a pitcher should not walk guys,
because, then, somebody could hit a 2-run or 3-run HR and catch up much
more quickly). Thanks, Joe ... so informative.
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