Classy Move by Tom Grieve
by txtwstr7 on Oct 21, 2009 2:17 PM CDT
48 comments
I generally only post on Burnt Orange Nation, but I'm daily lurker of this site. While everything generally gets covered--and re-covered--here, I have a fairly personal anecdote involving Tom Grieve that I thought was worth sharing.
My dad's aunt was a member of the Texas Rangers Women's Club for over 27 years. She attended nearly every organizational event and function and was unyielding in her support for the team. Sadly, she died earlier this week. This morning, her family received the following letter from Tom Grieve:
Hello.
I'm very sorry to learn of Mary's passing. She was a loyal friend who loved the Rangers, not only in the good times, but also the bad. She was always so thoughtful, often calling or writing when I had my surgery. I appreciated that so much. There weren't many Ranger functions that she didn't attend, from Christmas at the park to the mid-winter banquet. I've lost a nice friend and the Rangers have lost one of their most loyal fans ever. We'll all miss her very much.
Sincerely,
Tom Grieve
While you may love him or hate him as a commentator, I thought this was a very thoughtful gesture that really meant a lot to my family.
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I don't know anyone who hates him as a commentator.
If you do hate Tom Grieve, you are dead to me.
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
by Aquaman56 on Oct 21, 2009 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Amen to this
I don’t know how anyone could possibly hate Tom as a commentator. He undeniably loves the franchise (and I’m a firm believer that he’s basically “Mr. Ranger”), doesn’t self-promote or dwell on his own playing days like other ex-player commentators (in fact, Josh has to drag that stuff out of him, he’s so modest), and he seems like a nice guy who just flat out enjoys the fact that he’s made a lifetime of hanging around a children’s game.
I can’t say that I’m surprised by this letter, because it jives with what I’ve always thought about Tom. But still, it’s neat to read about. Rec this bad boy up.
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Oct 21, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is way cool.
And I too love Tom as a commentator. It’s super interesting to me because he played and GM’d this team. Only thing I wish they would do more on-air is talk about the ins and outs of being a GM. Like for example, after the trade deadline – talk about how he, as GM, identified players to acquire, how they went about it, etc. etc.
by FuturePants on Oct 21, 2009 2:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
very nice gesture by Grieve, and my condolences
I used to dislike TAG as a broadcaster, but I’ve grown to really like the combo team of Josh and TAG. They have good chemistry together, and can make the games interesting although they can be super homers that will only spin things positively, but that’s the way it is.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 21, 2009 2:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Josh has been great for TAG's performance as a color man
TAG’s weakness is that he can be dry and that he’s overly reluctant to tell personal stories as a player/manager/GM. Paired with a bland, paint-by-numbers PBP guy, Grieve’s weaknesses are exacerbated, but Josh is perfect for him. I think they genuinely like one another, and Josh has the ability to get TAG to open up and tell more stories, from pranks on the road as a big leaguer, to his favorite tv shows, to whatever else. They make a great team.
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Oct 21, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
TAG is understated but not bland. And he clearly is one of the true good guys in the world.
Plus, there’s always the potential for a Richie Sexson-targeted blowup. His understated nature makes those outbursts that much more enjoyable. Definitely one of my favorite TV personalities.
by 3hacks on Oct 21, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For sure
I heard Josh on the Ticket one day talking about how he loves when TAG gets on a soapbox about something and how he’ll talk about it for multiple innings. Josh joked how he spends that time catching up on email and surfing the ’net while TAG carries the broadcast.
My favorite TAG rants, off the top of my head, were the Sexson rant and the game several years back when Sidney Ponson was an Oriole and got lit up by the Rangers and TAG spent the next three innings discussing how Ponson was fat, lazy, and a ridiculous waste of talent.
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Oct 21, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was probably the only one watching
but it was the late innings of a total ass-kicking on the west coast (Oakland) circa 2002ish. Irabu was pitching and gave up back-to-back bombs, then they did a pitching change with the obligatory commercial break…..but someone fell asleep at the switch and forgot to cut the mics and actually go to the commercial, and you could hear a very agitated TAG say “Well shit…he couldn’t have thrown batting practice better than that! Huh…what do you mean we’re still on?” I still laugh about that.
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
by Bob Loblaw on Oct 22, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
TAG doesn't give a shit.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
by TxStCa on Oct 22, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tom Grieve is simply
a great ambassador for Rangers baseball. I tend to think he is one of the most well liked guys in baseball.
"More than likely JW never played sports above the youth level. It amazes me that he seems to have no concept on the common reactions of an adult athlete or their normal interactions between each other." - laxonto
by Michael Cave on Oct 21, 2009 4:20 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
To Mary
And her unwavering allegiance to the Texas Rangers organization
Thank you and God bless
by oc on Oct 21, 2009 4:21 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Here here.
What do tigers dream of when they take a little tiger snooze? Do they dream of mauling zebras, or Halle Berry in her Catwoman suit?
by ghtd36 on Oct 21, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff
I love hearing about things like this on a dreary day…
by ramjam36 on Oct 21, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
People hate TAG?
I don’t know where I would be as a Rangers fan without his Richie Sexon rant.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Magnum; Neutral Milk Hotel
by jdh90 on Oct 21, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TAG, just like every baseball announcer has his share of lame cliche moments
And he and Lewin actively perpetuated lies about Michael Young being good defensively at third base last year, but at the end of the day, TAG and Josh are a great team and probably easier to take than 90% of the broadcasters in baseball.
I don’t get it when someone says they want either one replaced.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Oct 21, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lies about Michael Young?
I wouldn’t call them lies. Of course, they aren’t going to say, “Michael Young is the worst third baseman since the Dodgers tried to put Pedro Guerrero there.” And, like most people, they expected that since Young was a great defensive short stop he’d be a better third baseman. While he wasn’t, he’s better than Chris Davis, who’s play at short they tend to laud as well. They were also quick to point out that he started the year playing too deep, (trying to compensate for the fact that third is so much closer to the plate than shortstop) and kept getting alot of bad hops and having some tougher plays at first due to the increased distance.
I would also say that Young’s defense got much better as the year went along, and in the end, he was an above average defender at third. (before he got hurt). I also firmly believe that next year he’ll be an asset at third defensively.
You can say what you want about Michael Young and his influence on the team, or his perceved performance, but one thing you can’t say is that he can’t improve his game.
In fact, he seems to take anything which he’s not good at as a challenge to improve.
by iblum on Oct 26, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
in the end, he was an above average defender at third.
He finished the year with the second-worst UZR/150 among third basemen in the American League. Fourth-worst in baseball. He was fucking terrible at third base this year, and that’s pretty much the bottom line. You can say he improved his game from not performing like a viable third baseman in April/May to just being a terrible third baseman over the course of the season, but that’s about all you can say – and I’d say that’s simply the law of averages at work.
Perhaps you can’t really call it a “lie” since I doubt TAG and Josh know what UZR means, but they where perpetuating a massive misconception to thousands of fans when they lauded Young for his defense at third this year. Seemed like every other game we where hearing about how great his transition to third base had gone (which was untrue, both in the sense of results and the shenanigans it took to get him there), and how good his fielding percentage was (meaningless, outmoded data). I seem to recall them even suggesting Young should be in the running for another gold glove this year, on more than one occasion (not that his first one wasn’t a complete joke too, but you get the point).
It was poor, homeristic non-analysis, and while I probably shouldn’t expect any different from broadcasters (especially where a media darling like Young is concerned) it still irks me.
"...he wasn’t a good hitter, just a good middle of the order bat that hit a lot of homers." - NYTXFAN
by lonestarJon on Oct 26, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some fans...
of other teams don’t like him because he’s a pretty big homer. Other than that, I don’t know what there is about him that people would hate him for.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 21, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tom Grieve is Awesome
Great broadcaster and like others have said a great ambassador for not only the Rangers but the game of baseball.
I’m very sorry to hear about your aunt.
by Black Francis on Oct 21, 2009 7:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i worked with the women's club this year
was mary in the club during the 09 season? I remember a lady named Mary and she was definitely really sweet.
In terms of tag, he epitomizes class.
by mizzou918 on Oct 21, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Solid player, too
Though he never hit for much average, TAG had some pop and played all out, hard nosed ball. He’d have played longer if he hadn’t kept running into fences.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
by Caradoc on Oct 21, 2009 8:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I love Tom Grieve
thanks for sharing this…
your dad’s aunt being with the Texas Rangers Women’s Club for over 27 years is very honorable. I’m so sorry to hear she passed away. she is trully a devoted Texas Rangers fan and she will be missed.
2010? 2011? 2012? 2013? 2014? 2015?
by hurlerhurley on Oct 21, 2009 9:05 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Wouldn't expect anything else of TAG
and to Mary, thank you for your incredible support of the Texas Rangers. One day, when we have that World Series trophy parading around TBiA, it will be fans like you, that the moment will be dedicated to.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
by TxStCa on Oct 21, 2009 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rest in Peace, Mary.
Mr. Grieve…..you are awesome!!
Wash is an idiot!!
by bspate on Oct 22, 2009 9:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TAG
is a big reason that I hate Swisher… he does too
by JShoe on Oct 22, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tom is my baseball icon
seriously, the dude is class, occasional hilarity, and laid back enjoyment of the great game all mixed into one
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
by blalock84 on Oct 22, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How is he not in the rangers hall of fame yet..
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Oct 23, 2009 7:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've wondered if it's because he's still an active broadcaster
Nadel’s not in the Rangers Hall either, is he? Clearly both are locks for the Hall, I just assume the club is waiting on their retirement.
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Oct 23, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
Sundberg’s in it but I suppose he wasn’t employed by the rangers at the time.
In any case when the guys 60 years old and been with the rangers for more than half his lifeand could keep announcing for.. who knows how long you certainly don’t need to wait for him to retire, heh.
I know the Rangers hall isn’t exactly a huge deal, but i’d still enjoy seeing him get honored. Great rep for the Rangers.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Oct 23, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree; retired or not, he deserves to be in pronto
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Oct 24, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Agree TAG should be in the Rangers Hall, How many other people
have be as much a part of one team like he has in so many different ways for so many years? he IS the Texas Rangers!
Larry Parrish Was Da Man!
by TRFAN on Oct 23, 2009 9:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
apparently a few years ago
grieve won the election for HOF and then the rangers mysteriously cancelled the promotion for that season. i’m thinking when hicks leaves, grieve gets elected.
by mizzou918 on Oct 23, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Grieve have some sort of issue with Hicks that I'm not aware of?
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Oct 24, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tom Grieve = Classy
Is there anything not classy about Tom Grieve.
Ephesians 1:3-10
by kwellborn on Oct 24, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't give a shit :)
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 24, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Classy guy, classy club
NOW if we can only win some ballgames….
What Would Tom Landry Do?
"Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve."
~Tom Landry
by Victor79 on Oct 24, 2009 6:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even when it seems like TAG doesn't give a shit, he does.
Well done, TAG.
Lisa, if the Bible has taught us nothing else - and it hasn't - it's that girls should stick to girls' sports, such as hot-oil wrestling, foxy boxing, and such-and-such.
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Thursdays, 10 PM - 1 AM, on FM 88.7 The Choice, or online @ ktcu.net!
by Maximilian on Oct 25, 2009 9:48 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
TAG = Class? TAG = Great Guy
Tom Grieve sounds like the kind of guy who, if he hadn’t been GM of the Rangers, would have been coaching his kids little league team. If there hadn’t been a little league team in his area he’d have organized it. He loves baseball. He loves his family. And he loves the Rangers. I remember the year that Ben Grieve, his son, reached the majors, and you could tell how proud TAG was of him, but he tried so hard to never let it affect his broadcasting.
Like most broadcasters, he loves his work, and does it with charm and flavor. He’ll never be a play-by-play man, but there is an insight that he only sometimes taps into him. Its kinda funny, because if you only hear him a few times a season, he won’t come off as very much. If you hear him 100+ times a season you get a much better feel for both him and the Rangers. And he never repeats his stories. He calls the game as if you saw last nights game and you will be there for tomorrow nights game, so he knows not to tell the same story twice, or the same joke, or profile the same player, or anything like that. Its what keeps 162 games enjoyable even if the team is 20 games out at the ASB and fading badley.
He also always speaks kindly of the Women’s club. God bless your Aunt, and may He look after her for eternity.
by iblum on Oct 26, 2009 11:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you think TAG ever reads Lone Star Ball?
by ghostofErikThompson on Oct 26, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i doubt it
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 27, 2009 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Tom Grieve the guy on the TV Broadcasts?
by Taylor H on Oct 26, 2009 10:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
umm....
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 29, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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