Pointing out that Yankees mouthpiece John Sterling has long mastered the “did you see that?” manner of calling a game (an approach that Bob Raissman correctly points out, ignores the fact that most of those listening on the radio are not in fact, watching the contest) is as profound an observation as saying water is wet. Still, I like the way the Daily News’ Raissman says it.
When Melky Cabrera made a spectacular catch off the bat of Manny Ramirez, it also became clear that the world is a safer place because John Sterling (above) is a radio play-by-play man.
For if Sterling descended upon God’s green Earth as a Seeing Eye dog, well, the poor owner of this mutt would be – at best – constantly walking into walls or – at worst – crossing the street directly into the path of oncoming traffic.
At least when Sterling blows a call, nobody gets hurt. Not even him. If Sterling was a Yankee player, he would have been dumped long ago. But in his 17th season in the Bombers’ radio booth, Sterling is rewarded (with a major league salary) by Yankees brass for constantly blowing calls and recapitulating plays.
Nice work if you can get it.
Still, even if you appreciate the fact that Sterling is the shill’s shill, or love his ever-expanding list of signature calls and his self-absorbed style, there is no debating the fact that he is severely challenged when it comes to painting the word picture. More often than not, Sterling is behind the play.
In Sterling, the Yankees have the American League’s Most Valuable Seven-Second Delay.
I’m not sure I understand why so many persons with loud voices are disparging, sweet, hard-working Alex Rodriguez this morning. Surely last night’s official scorer has a better understanding of what constitutes a base hit versus A-Rod’s inability to make a routine play?
This column by Bob Raissman does not even scratch the surface of the oppression which the YES network, and other networks, subject the fans to, very willingly, as the broadcasts have turned into an advertising and marketing platform. John Sterling is a terrible baseball announcer and a compete boob and shtickmeister, but the thing which he does best is to be a shill for the advertisers’ products, and segues into and out of the game action and into the advertising. Unfortunately, the addition of Suzyn Waldman did nothing to tone him down or to improve the broadcasts, and she is something of a John Sterling mascot. I am disappointed that there has not been a grass-roots movement among Yankee fans to get him fired. I am sure that such a movement would have a very ebthusiastic membership, as there are times (while driving your car is one example) that you are held hostage to listening to this jerk, and this is oppressive.