A long, long time ago, when I was a mere babe, I became a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and a baseball junkie. Since I lived in Iowa I had to rely on regional radio stations in order to hear my favorite team in action, or any other game I could tune in.
The first Cubs broadcaster I heard was Bert Wilson–pretty good. Then Jack Quinlan–very good, but with his premature demise the quality level took a drastic drop and, with a few exceptions–Dewayne Staats, Pat Hughes, Steve Stone–the quality has remained unacceptable ever since. Does anyone else remember–shudder–Davey Nelson?
Lou Boudreau, God bless the Good Kid, was a good ballplayer but a terrible announcer. Teaming him with Vince Lloyd compounded the suffering.
Harry Caray, once an excellent portrayer of baseball action with the Cardinals, was well past his prime when he became the voice of the Cubs. It was sad and painful to listen to him slur pronunciations, miscall pitches . . . he seemed more interested in spotting attractive female fans in the stands than on-field action. I know I’m treading on hallowed ground, but isn’t describing the action accurately and articulately what announcing is all about?
This tradition of announcing ineptitude is currently sustained by Ron Santo. Will he ever express a complete thought? If he does, will anyone understand it? Will Pat Hughes ever be able to leave the booth, even for one play? Again, like Lou, Ron was a good ballplayer and may be a commendable human being. He simply lacks any discernable broadcasting ability.
As for Chip Caray, on those rare occasions I have the volume level audible on a telecast, I think he has raised the bar.
