On the 6pm SportsCenter, Cindy Brunson introduced yet another Lebron segment by pointing out that LeBron's decision on where he would be taking his talents also happened to be 234 years to the day that the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was read. Stupid moments like that one have been repeated all day with wall-to-wall coverage and interviews breaking down everything that has happened in the 365 days since. With the NBA and NFL locked out, and July baseball being easily the most significant sporting event that's going on right now, it might be easy to dismiss this as being the product of a slow sports day. Instead, today has been nothing like that at all. The NFL lockout looks to be ending, Jeter is a couple of dribblers away from 3000 hits, the tragedy in Texas, the most popular NBA all-star of all-time Yao Ming is retiring, OSU's problems and Team USA's rematch with Brasil is a couple days away. Easily any of these stories should be getting more run then what we felt like a year ago today. Or, they could just go the old-fashioned route and like, you know, show highlights of sports that happened last night or earlier today.

You'll certainly never confuse me with someone who has ever had much sympathy for LeBron. Being from Detroit, we've been hating on LeBron since before it was cool. But even for me, a person who often subscribes to batshit sports conspiracies and admittedly sees things only the way I want to see them... ESPN has been completely bipolar and sensationalized in their coverage of everything LeBron this past year. ESPN's consistent coverage of his tweets and also having a reporter and microphone stationed in Cleveland seemingly at all times for the scorned fans of the Cavs to sound off on a national stage about anything LeBron might be doing is too much. The twitter reporting is especially over-the-top. Lebron says dumb things often. But, if you spend 5 minutes perusing the depths of professional athlete Twitter, you will be astounded at the stupidity these very public figures put out there. Athletes making booty calls, reacting to tragedies, and worst of all, planking is all out there for any fan to see. SportsCenter could have a field day cherry picking tweets of athletes and creating controversies and mostly providing incredible comedy if they felt like it. When it became obvious that fans were tiring of constant LeBron coverage, ESPN decided to treat him as almost a villainous character. Some athletes relish this "role," but it became obvious that LeBron isn't one of them. He wants to be liked, and the one-sided coverage of his flaws was kind of mean-spirited and mostly just an inaccurate representation of LeBron.

Cleveland Indians radio play by play man Tom Hamilton is loved by Tribe fans for his passion in the booth.  Living in Columbus, I know quite a few Indians fans and they all say that they wouldn't trade any play by play announcer for Tom Hamilton.  He's also certainly one of the most excitable announcers in the sport of baseball.  So as you can imagine, last night's walk off grand slam by "Pronk," Travis Hafner, was a good enough reason to go absolutely berzerk.  The outstanding radio call and the moving pictures to go with it are below...

Tom Hamilton's Radio Call



TV Version

You may remember the internet petition started by The Daily Stache a few weeks ago hoping to bring legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully back to the World Series booth.  AA wholeheartedly supports giving Vin Scully the opportunity to announce one more World Series.  Currently, the petition has over 7,000 signatures, so if you haven't signed it yet, you can at this link.  Well, it seems that you may be able to add one certainly influential and unlikely name in sports broadcasting to the list of people that want Vin Scully in the World Series booth.

Joe Buck.

Yes, believe it or not, one of the blogosphere's least favorite announcers (and Joe Morgan Memorial Tournament favorite, his 1st Round matchup comes on the final day of Round 1 Tuesday), who just happens to broadcast the World Series on Fox himself, supports the idea of Vin Scully announcing this year's World Series on Fox.  Here's the quotes from Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News: 

"Personally, I'd love it," Buck said the other day. "We've always toyed with the idea of having the hometown guy involved in a World Series broadcast. I'm from that camp. In my dad's era, we paid a nod of tribute to the greats. And there's no one like Vin, or close to Vin.

"I'd happily step aside to hear his voice (on the World Series). I would not fight that at all. That's just how I grew up.

"As far as I'm concerned, he could be part of it every year. I'm not selfish. I realize who the game's greats are, and I always defer to them - my dad (Jack Buck), Ernie Harwell, Curt Gowdy, Harry Caray. There are only a handful of guys who are as identifiable with their organizations as any player is."

Plenty of baseball fans aren't necessarily fans of Joe Buck the broadcaster, and we've been critical in the past, but even the most vocal detractors of him have to applaud Joe for publicly supporting Vin Scully and this idea.  Joe obviously has an appreciation for the great announcers in the sport with his father Jack being another legend of the game.  Vin Scully is in that same category and is arguably the greatest living baseball announcer.  What better way to pay testament to his lifetime in baseball, and celebrate the history of the game and what makes baseball special by making this happen.

***UPDATE:  We reached out to Fox Sports for a comment on this story and here is their official response:

“As the son of the legendary Jack Buck, no one respects the history of baseball more than Joe, so it’s no surprise that he’d be willing to share the World Series stage with Vin Scully, who like Jack, is one of the best that ever was.  Having Vin join Joe and Tim for a few innings during the World Series is definitely something we’d consider if it’s something Vin would like to do.”

You heard it here first - Fox Sports will consider Vin Scully joining the World Series broadcast booth.  This is a great development in this story.  Realistically, a few innings or a game is what fans should expect from Fox and everyone involved.  However, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.  Hope remains that we may be able to get Vin Scully in the Fox booth for at least a portion of the World Series.

Joe Buck on Vin Scully: Why not bring him in the Fox World Series booth? - Los Angeles Daily News

We are halfway through Round 1, so make sure you come back every day through Tuesday to vote on new First Round matchups.  Then, we'll have all the results from Round 1 and the Second Round draw on Wednesday before voting starts up again.  The bald headed analysts shine in this matchup in Round 1 of the Joe Morgan Memorial Tournament.  Reggie Miller and Pierre McGuire both receive the ire of basketball fans and hockey fans alike for their high positions on broadcasts and low analysis.  Unfortunately for fans of those sports, they aren't leaving the broadcast booth anytime soon, but only one can advance to the second round of the Joe Morgan Memorial Tournament.  Who ya got?  

Pierre McGuire vs Reggie Miller



Pierre McGuire

Fact File: NHL on NBC inside the glass analyst

Why He's Here: There are many hockey fans that just don't like Pierre McGuire.  It could be the way he gushes about certain players, the way his cliches and style grates, or even how he pronounces certain words.  Mainly, it's the way McGuire carries himself as an expert in spite of his 23-37-7 record as an NHL head coach.

Links:

Why Do People Hate Pierre McGuire?
How Full Of It Is Pierre McGuire?
Pierre McGuire Is Effin Creepy
Caps Fans Hate Us

Reggie Miller

Fact File: NBA on TNT game analyst

Why He's Here: Reggie Miller has been closer to Boom Goes The Dynamite than Boom, Baby as an analyst for TNT's NBA coverage.  Miller is the prototypical example of an athlete shoved into the booth or on television because of his name and not what he brings to the table as an analyst.  

Links:

Reggie Miller Channels His Inner Emmitt
Reggie Miller Gets Put In His Place
Reggie Miller Takes The Mic
Oh No He Didn't

Results:

Pierre McGuire defeated Reggie Miller 57.62% - 42.38% 

Our newest matchup in the Joe Morgan Memorial Tournament pits David vs Goliath in more ways than one.  Tournament favorite Chris Berman takes on underdog hopeful Erik Kuselias.  Don't let Berman's girth in awfulness fool you, Kuselias is a worthy opponent with his history at ESPN and, well, more unseemly things.  But is it enough to send Berman stumbling out of the tourney in Round 1?  You get to decide!  First, here's the results from the tournament so far...

Skip Bayless d. Woody Paige 77.91% - 22.09%
Rick Reilly d. Hawk Harrelson 58.7% - 41.3%
Tony Siragusa d. Jack Edwards 71.55% - 28.45%
Thom Brennaman d. Jon Gruden 58.32% - 41.68%
Michael Irvin d. Dick Stockton 71.61% - 28.39%
Deion Sanders d. Mike Tirico 69.59% - 30.41%


Erik Kuselias vs Chris Berman



Erik Kuselias

Fact File:  Morning Drive co-host on the Golf Channel and former ESPN studio show host

Why He's Here: I'll be honest, I haven't watched a second of Morning Drive, but Kuselias earns his spot from his recent time at ESPN.  Seriously, I know nothing about the guy (beyond his Deadspin resume), but he always appeared to be a bit unauthentic as ESPN's utility player.  When subbing for Cowherd, he'd try to be Cowherd, when subbing for Rome, he'd try to be Rome, when doing college football, he'd try to sound like the biggest college football guy on the planet.  I'm sure he's pulling a similar act at the Golf Channel.

Links:

Erik Kuselias Makes Friends At The Golf Channel Like ESPN
Erik Kuselias Horndog Dossier
Kuselias Is Burning
Erik Kuselias Is An Idiot


Chris Berman

Fact File: Host of ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, Home Run Derby, and golf's US Open, occasional SportsCenter anchor and baseball play by play man

Why He's Here: How much time do we have?  Chris Berman has been synonymous with ESPN for over 30 years, but his schtick of nicknames, bad jokes, and bellowing humor has grown old.  His protection of the NFL and the stars of the league leave his journalistic bite at zero.  The #1 best selling ESPN book painted him as a man drastically out of touch with the modern day world, and it shows.

Links:

Somebody Should Explain The Concept Of A Walk Off Win To Chris Berman
Real Tweets From Real People - Berman and the US Open
Tossed Salas Nickname
Classic Youtube Rant

Results:

Chris Berman defeated Erik Kuselias 76.83% - 23.17% 

I'm glad I missed today's A's game. They got wrecked again, but I'm a lot more thankful that I didn't have to watch Rangers fan Shannon Stone fall reaching for a ball live. Tragically, Stone would die from the fall and our thoughts go out to his family, the Rangers, and their fans. Horrible...

My initial reaction upon hearing the news was wondering how it exactly happened and how it effected the broadcast and the game as I didn't really hear anything specific on those fronts. Here is the video of how it played out and unfortunately it features A's announcers Ray Fosse and Glen Kuiper being a bit too casual about the incident. The video below is not graphic but it is very morbid so view at your own discretion.

(***Ed Note: Because of the stated request of the Stone family, we have decided to take down the video footage and encourage all websites to do the same.  You can also place a donation here in honor of Shannon Stone for the Stone family.)

Eeesh. Not good. It's hard for me to gauge how upset to be about the light hearted nature they show about the incident. They do seem to show some concern but definitely have a couple of brief moments where they're dismissive and folksy about the fall...

Ah, the beauty of live television.  Boston Red Sox announcers Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo are somewhat known for their tangent taking abilities and not quite following the script on the local Red Sox telecasts on NESN.  In fact, it was just a couple weeks ago that a lady with a chicken hat captivated their attention for a couple minutes.  Well, tonight's episode was a bit more... well, risque is about the nicest way to put it.  Actually I'm surprised that this kind of thing doesn't happen more often during sports telecasts with how many thousands of crowd shots happen during live games.  After an extended crowd shot on two couples enjoying the game in Boston, one male Red Sox fan got a little grabby with his female companion.  It's not quite as subtle as this or as noticeable as this, but still enough to drive Don and Jerry into a Charley Steineresque breakdown.   Good times all around...



H/T to our friends at SportsGrid for the clip!
 

The best way to describe the next matchup would be old versus new, although anyone under the age of 60 might be considered "new" when going up against veteran play-by-play man Dick Stockton. While Stockton was once one of the greats, his game has significantly slipped over the past decade.  Meanwhile, his opponent Michael Irvin, has already had more stops as a tv personality than Keith Olbermann.  But, does he have enough awfulness on his resume to match Dick Stockton?  Remember, polls are open for a day on each of the first round matchups and you can come back every day through Tuesday to vote on new first round matchups as we cut the Joe Morgan Memorial field from 32 to 16!

 

Dick Stockton

Fact File: NFL and MLB play by play man for Fox, NBA on TNT play by play, MLB on TBS play by play

Why He's Here: Dick Stockton was once one of America's great announcers, sometime during the Reagan administration.  He's had a great career, but the games have passed Stockton by.  There are just too many botches and too many times where Dick seems lost.  His slow moves down the ladder at Fox and TNT show his current career trajectory.

Links:

Dear Fox, It's Time To Send Dick Stockton Out To Pasture
Both Dick Stockton And FOX Think That Dante Rosario Is A 5'8" Actress From New York
Dick Stockton Calls MVP Derrick Rose 'David' 

Michael Irvin

Fact File: NFL Network studio analyst

Why He's Here: The former Cowboys receiver is the poster child for the staged guffawing that has infested NFL studio shows.  Irvin has never lasted in one place too long, jumping from Fox Sports Net to ESPN and now to NFL Network.  Irvin can be sincere, honest, and moving when he wants to be (see his Hall of Fame speech), but it's rarely ever seen in his television work.

Links:

Michael Irvin Might Have A New Home
ESPN Fires Michael Irvin
Michael Irvin Says Something Stupid

Results:

Michael Irvin d. Dick Stockton 71.61% - 28.39%

In the next matchup of the Joe Morgan Memorial we have two controversial figures, and the shocking news is that the more recent figure embroiled in controversy isn't Deion Sanders.  First up, here's the results from yesterday...

Tony Siragusa d. Jack Edwards 71.55% - 28.45%
Thom Brennaman d. Jon Gruden 58.32% - 41.68%

That means 1/4 of the second round draw is complete - Skip Bayless, Rick Reilly, Tony Siragusa, and Thom Brennaman.

With revelations in the ESPN Book, Mike Tirico has suddenly become a polarizing figure in the world of announcing.  But will his dulcet tones and smooth delivery be enough to keep him from advancing?  Or will the overwhelming and overbearing presence of PrimeTime be enough to send him into the next round of awfulness?  Let's see how they stack up!

Mike Tirico

Fact File: ESPN play by play man for Monday Night Football, NBA, golf, and college football

Why He's Here: Aside from certain personal exploits, Tirico's play by play often sounds incredibly forced, especially for NFL and NBA games.  It's a phenomenon that is hard to put into words, almost as if his smoothnes feels over the top and phony.  The personality depicted in the ESPN book doesn't help his likability factor.

Links:

ESPN Book Excerpt: Tony Kornheiser And Monday Night Football
Mike Tirico Is Really A Creep
The MNF Boys Aren't Impressed With College Football 

Deion Sanders

Fact File: NFL Network analyst

Why He's Here: Deion Sanders could be given a nightly two hour long show to talk about only himself, and fill it with 20 hours to spare (he would have to sleep some).  No other analyst is so self-aggrandizing than Primetime, who has carried that same swagger to his analyst positions.  To put it in perspective, CBS dumped Deion for Shannon Sharpe.  Ouch.

Links:

Deion Dropped By CBS
Deion Sanders' Extremely Awkward Appearance On Mike And Mike
Deion Criticizes Former Pupil Dez Bryant, In Other News, Pot Calls Kettle Black 

Results:

Deion Sanders d. Mike Tirico 69.59% - 30.41% 

In the newest edition of the Awful Announcing Podcast, we're joined by CNBC Emmy Award winning sports business reporter Darren Rovell.  Darren joined CNBC in 2006 after working at ESPN and has established himself as the most prominent authority on all things sports business.  You can check out his work at CNBC's Sports Biz or join almost 100,000 others by following him on Twitter in addition to checking him out on TV.  AA chats with Darren about a number of topics in this wide-ranging podcast including...

-The explosion of sports rights on television
-The Comcast merger with NBC, how it affects Versus, and whether or not they can compete with ESPN 
-Athletes and the impact of Twitter 
-The uncertain future of golf on television in a post-Tiger world
-The NFL and NBA lockouts

There are so many compelling possible topics in sports business worth talking about and Darren touches on a number of them in this interview, including some strong takes on both the NFL and NBA lockouts.  A huge thanks to Darren for taking the time to come on the AA Podcast, and we even gave him a question to ponder for his next appearance.