Top Ten Play-By-Play Announcers
This list is pretty near to my heart, as I always wanted (still want) to be a play-by-play announcer. The two best I ever heard, at least for football, were Pat Summerall and Keith Jackson. I haven't heard either of them for a couple years now so they won't be listed here. Note that this is strictly play-by-play, not color commentary, sideline, or studio. Those lists will follow. There are hybrids like Gumbel and Nantz - for this list, I am just thinking sheer play-by-play skill. Also, Mike Tirico is the worst.
Interestingly enough I had Joe Buck, Fox's #1 guy, and Jim Nantz, CBS's #1 guy, as #11 and #12.
10. Phil Liggett
Kind of a niche guy but really good at his specialty, cycling.
9. Thom Brennaman
Under the radar but now Fox's #1 guy for the BCS and #2 for MLB.
8. Al Michaels
Loosely considered the #1 overall guy by the American pop culture collective.
7. Brad Nessler
Never really had that breakout game, probably cause he's behind Musburger on ABC/ESPN.
6. Verne Lundquist
Verne takes a lot of crap and just keeps on chugging. Aging like a fine wine.
5. Dick Enberg
Still dependable for NFL, college BB, and tennis.
4. Marv Albert
Obviously the greatest NBA announcer ever.
3. Kevin Harlan
The best pure voice in the business.
2. Gus Johnson
Unadulterated genuine emotion.
1. Brent Musburger
Has all the tools - voice, enthusiasm, empathy, knowledge, and storytelling.
posted by GnightMoon @ 11:39 AM
6 Comments:
Musburger also has the ability to lick Joey Harrington's butthole with all these same tools.
Missing some great tennis announcers - Mary Carillo comes to mind. Also McEnroe is solid. Also that Irish guy who does the golf is the shit.
I agree on Musburger. He is truly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all sports.
He also seems like a big-time gambler (from his statements regarding the spread, as well as stories I have heard). An overall great guy to hang out with.
Interestingly, he used to be one of the most unpopular when he was the face of CBS. Since he moved to ABC and became far less exposed, he is far more revered.
Solid choices, but I would give the nod to Ted Robinson on tennis announcers, he also does Stanford sports. I agree with your Keith Jackson comments, hopefully he'll get at least one BCS game. And of course I like the Thom Brennaman choice, son of the best baseball play by play man of all time, hall of famer Marty Brennaman (had the recently deceased Joe Nuxhall as his color guy).
Lastly, I like Musberger too, but during football games I get extremely annoyed by his refusal to say "First Down", always, ALWAYS substituting in "First and Ten", like, "Lauraunitis stops Michigan from getting that First and Ten."
Gus Johnson?! Freaking Gus Johnson?! Serious? Every play is a huge play to him. Annoying. "Here's Ben Roethlisberger back to pass. Looks! Looks! AND HE THROWS IT AWAY ON FIRST DOWN! UNBELIEVEABLE! WHAT A PLAY BY BEN ROETHLISBERGER!"
I like Marv, but I would put Chick Hearn and Johnny Most as the top NBA announcers.
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