The Division Series on TBS

[chisox]

Ok the good news...no McCarver or Chris Berman in the first round.

The TBS schedule ( overflow will be on TNT )

Games will be transmitted in HD but most cable companies don't offer TBS HD

Announcers?

On play by play Chip Caray obviously and now a second name has popped up


From the Boston Globe

Sox play-by-play man Don Orsillo has landed a national gig in the postseason. The NESN announcer will work one of the four best-of-five Division Series for TBS.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/09/20/francona_determined_not_to_give_up_on_gagn/?page=2

I would guess he will do the Boston games

[Sam18]

Can't wait for the ALCS on OLN in a couple of years.

[cupcollector99]

For some reason, this deal with TBS feels like it'll be a travesty.
What's worse than the super low ratings it'll garner, is the fact that TBSHD isn't available to most cable subscribers so we get the games in fuzzy mode.

Again, nice going Selig.

[THEBOSS84]

I actually like Orsillo.

[chisox]

and there will be NO local TV station picking up the feed...you have to have cable

So the ALCS will be on FOX but the National League will be on cable only

Good going Bud

[hardrain]

What? I thought the ALCS was on the Oxygen network.

[dabomb2045]

Anything that gives us less Buck/McCarver is a good thing IMO

[hardrain]

Skip Caray is really boring...He makes Singleton look like he's on puppy uppers.

It will mute on TV and Sterling and Waldman for me!

[in2dust2002]

Anything that gives us less Buck/McCarver is a good thing IMO

I'd rather have them than Skip Carey and Pete Van Wieren. These 2 homers are horrible. Its impossible to listen to them and not think Atlanta Braves.

[pleasepassthesoup]

Don Orsillo is an awful, awful announcer. Hello mute button!

[knickfan23]

So you have the following broadcast teams for the DS

#1 - Chip Caray and Tony Gwynn
#2 - Skip Caray or Pete Van Wieren and TBA (possibly Cal Ripken)
#3 - Don Orsillo and TBA (Joe Simpson)
#4 - TBA

Orsillo will not be doing the Red Sox series. He will more than likely do a NL series instead. The Yanks would get the #1 team and TBS wouldnt be dumb enough to allow Orsillo to call Red Sox playoff games without the "bias" charge emerging when something good happens. Personally, I dont think he's a homer at all. But that charge would come up.

As far as HD, DirecTV has it scheduled to be on by October 1st. It really should have been on yesterday, but it was pushed back. On cable systems, take your best guess. Its not MLB's fault that cable and satellite couldnt get their stuff straight knowing the playoffs start in 13 days.

[26 and counting]

Will Comcast and Cox in Connnecticut have TBS HD by the beginning of the playoffs? My guess is no, and hopefully their phone lines will be overfilled with angry Yankee and Red Sox fans.

[Logan]

I hate the way TBS does games. Just the display pisses me off.. They do this italics font that makes everything harder to read than it should be, and several other things (don't remember, cuz I don't watch many Braves games), but I just remember the display being atrocious.

[chelloveck]

Can't wait for the ALCS on OLN in a couple of years.

I read this this afternoon while at work.... OLN, OLN? Rings a bell, which channel is that? Then I saw a story on Landis. Ha, funny!

I say VS is another option for a channel to carry the ALDS soon!

No HD for the playoffs puts a damper on my planned playoff parties.

[chelloveck]

I hate the way TBS does games. Just the display pisses me off.. They do this italics font that makes everything harder to read than it should be, and several other things (don't remember, cuz I don't watch many Braves games), but I just remember the display being atrocious.

This TBS thing sucks all around... but being that this playoff thing is new for them they might try something different... who knows if its better. I almost miss ESPN!

[26 and counting]

Well, if I don't get TBS HD in time, I'm going to go to the local bar and watch the games. They don't have HD TV's yet, but they have the best wings ever and really good beer, so I guess that makes up for lack of HD!

[chisox]

TBS has named the annoucers.
PLAY BY PLAY: Chip Caray, Dick Stockton, Ted Robinson and Don Orsillo.
ANALYSTS: Steve Stone, Bob Brenly, Joe Simpson and Tony Gwynn.

[tdel23]

damn I doubt cablevision will have the HD channel in time.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

I like Orsillo's commentary. Gwynn has an annoying voice, but he provides good analysis, plus he is Tony Gwynn, how can you not love him

[knickfan23]

TBS has named the annoucers.
PLAY BY PLAY: Chip Caray, Dick Stockton, Ted Robinson and Don Orsillo.
ANALYSTS: Steve Stone, Bob Brenly, Joe Simpson and Tony Gwynn.

So to break that down, the pecking order would be this:

#1 - Chip Caray (Best AL series)
#2 - Dick Stockton (2nd AL series or best NL series)
#3 - Don Orsillo (2nd AL series or best NL series)
#4 - Ted Robinson (worst NL series)

So there is a chance Orsillo would be doing Red Sox playoff games on TBS/TNT.

[tdel23]

I hope the Yankee game spill to TNT, because I actually have TNT HD.

[BillBuckner]

Can't wait for the ALCS on OLN in a couple of years.

You mean VS, and I say why the hell not. They provide excellent NHL coverage and if they can ever serve as an alternative to that whore of a network called ESPN, then I'm all for it.

[Logan]

MLB on Fox is always like a whole other tier of entertainment, above all others. Joe Buck's voice in fall games on Fox is euphoric.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

You mean VS, and I say why the hell not. They provide excellent NHL coverage and if they can ever serve as an alternative to that whore of a network called ESPN, then I'm all for it.

A lot of people don't get it.

[Seth]

MLB on Fox is always like a whole other tier of entertainment, above all others. Joe Buck's voice in fall games on Fox is euphoric.

I've got to disagree with you. I think Buck comes accross as incredibly smug. He sounds like he's broadcasting an autopsy.

[26 and counting]

You mean VS, and I say why the hell not. They provide excellent NHL coverage and if they can ever serve as an alternative to that whore of a network called ESPN, then I'm all for it.

I still don't get VS in HD. Yet my cable company is adding channels like TLC HD. Why?

[SI Baseballman]

TBS has named the annoucers.
PLAY BY PLAY: Chip Caray, Dick Stockton, Ted Robinson and Don Orsillo.
ANALYSTS: Steve Stone, Bob Brenly, Joe Simpson and Tony Gwynn.

I guess that explains why I've seen Stockton doing some Fox saturday games recently

[Logan]

I've got to disagree with you. I think Buck comes accross as incredibly smug. He sounds like he's broadcasting an autopsy.

lol, that was supposed to be a joke (a bad joke, albeit).

"Like he's broadcasting an autopsy" is actually a very good way of putting Buck's commentary.

[justinvarnes]

I'm just chiming in to say Orsillo is a great addition to that lineup and he should be a pleasure to listen to compared to most the other PBP guys doing national broadcasts.

Yes, even when he does a Red Sox game.

In case you haven't done it yet, try to find a youtube clip of Orsillo doing a Yanks/Sox game (since there are no more left in the season)...then imagine either Buck/McCarver or Miller/Morgan doing the same game.

[NyQuil]

You never, ever want a sport you follow on Versus.

[ucfjon]

No TBS HD here. That kind of sucks. I get TNT HD, but it seems like they just stretch the SD programming.

[dabomb2045]

I'm just chiming in to say Orsillo is a great addition to that lineup and he should be a pleasure to listen to compared to most the other PBP guys doing national broadcasts.

Yes, even when he does a Red Sox game.

In case you haven't done it yet, try to find a youtube clip of Orsillo doing a Yanks/Sox game (since there are no more left in the season)...then imagine either Buck/McCarver or Miller/Morgan doing the same game.

Orsillo is an actual Sox broadcaster....and he calls a more unbiased game involving the Yankees then a national guy like Buck does

[26 and counting]

No TBS HD here. That kind of sucks. I get TNT HD, but it seems like they just stretch the SD programming.

I think that TNT has been great for the NBA. Lots of games in HD. Why didn't MLB just choose TNT for baseball to begin with?

[Cuban Connection]

TBS has named the annoucers.
PLAY BY PLAY: Chip Caray, Dick Stockton, Ted Robinson and Don Orsillo.
ANALYSTS: Steve Stone, Bob Brenly, Joe Simpson and Tony Gwynn.

I'm impressed with that lineup.

[keg411]

I don't have a problem with the rest of them, but Chip Caray is horrible.

[PaulieIsAwesome]

I know the announcers are an important subject here. But I have a much more critical question: Will those horrible Dane Cook ads still be shown?

I might have to boycott watching the MLB playoffs if yes. I really hate that guy. I did find it funny that no one switched them up, so a couple of days ago I saw the "Mariners are totally great and will be great in the playoffs" ad.

[theDurk]

In addition to those named above, according to TBS website, they will have Cal Ripken, Jr. as studio analyst. As long as DirecTV gets the HD turned on, I'll will take anything that is not FOX or Miller/Morgan.

As to Buck sounding like he's doing an autopsy--when the Yankees win, he sounds like he's doing HIS OWN! (See 2003 ALCS.)

[LeapsNbounds]

I think cablevision carries TNTHD so that is good for LI and Some Jersey folks

[Mantle'sMutt]

Anything that gives us less Buck/McCarver is a good thing IMO

Let me tell ya, THIS is a fact NOT to be overlooked, but no HD is a SERIOUS drawback for some (not me, I get TNTHD).

[SalingerNY]

Anything that gives us less Buck/McCarver is a good thing IMO

Absolutely. Those two are like tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb.

[26 and counting]

I wish the games were on A&E HD. At least I get that channel.

[Seth]

I wish the games were on A&E HD. At least I get that channel.

If the games were on A&E HD, it would be one of the few times that something not called CSI Miami or The Sopranos was in High-Definition on that channel.

[knickfan23]

I don't have a problem with the rest of them, but Chip Caray is horrible.

Well, you may want to get used to him. He'll more than likely be on the call doing the Yankees series.

Also, as I'm doing my postseason schedule analysis (will be doing preliminary versions tomorrow), I have tentatively put the Yankees in the 4pm slot next Wednesday against the Indians if the matchup holds. If the Angels are the opponent, that moves the start time to 10 pm Eastern.

[bigwampum]

You never, ever want a sport you follow on Versus.

One of the funniest things I've ever seen... "Tonight, on VS: The Stanley Cup Finals...followed by The National Barbecue Championship!"

[Toaderly]

MLB on Fox is always like a whole other tier of entertainment, above all others. Joe Buck's voice in fall games on Fox is euphoric.

Euphoric is not a word I would use to describe Joe Buck's voice. Nauseating. Schizophrenia-inducing. Sadistic.

[cupcollector99]

Euphoric is not a word I would use to describe Joe Buck's voice. Nauseating. Schizophrenia-inducing. Sadistic.

A lot of the broadcasters (Buck and Costas come to mind) try too hard to be poignant and romanticize the games.
I get a chill when I see the grass at Yankee Stadium in October, it has a special feel to it but it's just a ballgame. It's not the meaning of life, wrapped up in history surrounded by dreams, it's a ballgame. Your not covering the Yalta conference, you have to describe a ballgame for the people at home. But I guess if we don't have to listen to Morgan butcher the English language and Jon Miller bust a nut whenever a Red Sox player hits a foul ball, it's okay.

[26 and counting]

I know that there's a lot of squabbling about the announcers, but when the Yankees are in the playoffs, I'm so tense that I don't hear half of what the announcers say anyway.

[jlw1980]

Orsillo is an actual Sox broadcaster....and he calls a more unbiased game involving the Yankees then a national guy like Buck does

It's true.

[tdel23]

Well, you may want to get used to him. He'll more than likely be on the call doing the Yankees series.

Also, as I'm doing my postseason schedule analysis (will be doing preliminary versions tomorrow), I have tentatively put the Yankees in the 4pm slot next Wednesday against the Indians if the matchup holds. If the Angels are the opponent, that moves the start time to 10 pm Eastern.

ugh a 10 PM playoff game, that would be quite the nightmare.

[chisox]

announcer pairings

Here are the announcing teams

Chip Caray - Tony Gwynn
Dick Stockton - Bob Brenly
Ted Robinson - Steve Stone
Don Orsillo - Joe Simpson.



http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6481118.html

Something has to give here. They can't put Orsillo on the Boston games...and it is doubtful they would put Caray, Brenley or Stone on a Cubs feed. So would Orsillo do the Cubs?