My love letter to Josh and Tom.
by iorange555 on Aug 22, 2010 7:34 PM CDT
Email
PrintTexas Rangers games are fun to watch for many reasons. A lot has to do with the team, and how they play. They play like a bunch of kids, and you hear that get thrown around a lot. "They're like kids out there, bob" well it's true when it comes to them. When they get to first on a hit the first thing they do is a claw. Not look at the third base coach for signs, no. They do the claw, and if you watch the games maybe they should be looking at the third base coach a little more. Anyways the point is the Texas Rangers are fun to watch, but not all because of the team. A big part of that is the announcers that call the game, and the Texas Rangers have the best in the business. To me it's not even close, because they get it. Josh is the only announcer who can make you get excited about a pop-fly to right. You've been watching the game for years and you know that ball is in no way going over the fence, yet you get excited because he is excited. When his true brilliance shines is when an actual exciting play is going on. The Molina triple for instance. That call may be one of the greatest of the year, and it's all because of how Josh and Tom announce the game in a fun exciting way. They act how all fans would react in that moment. We were all screaming at our tvs "RUN BENGIE GO GET THERE"
Not only is he exciting, but Josh is a funny dude. A lot of people hate on his jokes not me, though. I love them. The game wouldn't be the same without them. They find stuff during the game that no other announcing crew would, and it makes the games that much more enjoyable. If the rangers are losing 10-1 in the bottom of the 7th, and you're thinking "Why am I still watching?" then Josh and Tom go on some tangent about how Tagdon'ttweet and you find yourself laughing. Your team is getting their ass whipped, but you're laughing. It's because of Josh and Tom. The way Tom will just leave Josh hanging after one of his jokes that don't go over is just amazing. The awkward silence for 15 seconds followed by Tom changing the subject to cookies, and thanking everyone who brought them to the booth. They go together like Neftali Feliz and strikeouts. Like Josh Hamilton, and baseball. Like Ron Washington, and awesome sound bites. You can make a highlight reel after the season of all their brilliant moments, and make it into an hour special. I'd watch every minute of it. When you hear "Ballgame!" you know the rangers just won, and you know you're sleeping easy that night. When you hear "And we go to Jim Knox" you know something very awkward is about to happen, and you'll get to hear Tom's laugh.
They're the best crew in baseball, and there is no doubt in my mind about that. You have the greats like Vin Scully, of course. Still If I had the choice I would choose Tom, and Josh over anybody in the game. I can't wait till Josh yells "ballgame!" followed by "and the rangers clench the west!"
Thank you Josh, and Tom. Thank you for making baseball even more enjoyable than it already is.
"He couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat"
- Tom Grieve.
84 comments
|
13 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I hate it when I agree with you.
I’ll go ahead and pull a Josey and let you know that it should have been half as long.
by Past A Diving Michael Young on Aug 22, 2010 7:38 PM CDT reply actions
Great new screen name.
"...like some Russian priest fresh off a bottle of potato vodka and a box of cigars." -t ball
by rangerdanger on Aug 25, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I like this
And I approve this message.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
You need a proofreader.
"Fuck Tom Hicks. There is no aspect of my baseball universe that man hasn't shit on."
"and to Adam J. Morris and the Lone Star Ball regulars; go fuck yourself."- cmkelly29
by TooLegitToQuit on Aug 22, 2010 7:43 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Why...?
"Fuck Tom Hicks. There is no aspect of my baseball universe that man hasn't shit on."
"and to Adam J. Morris and the Lone Star Ball regulars; go fuck yourself."- cmkelly29
by TooLegitToQuit on Aug 23, 2010 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Cool stuff.
I just wish Mark Holtz were here.
by Vooty on Aug 22, 2010 7:57 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs
Good job
Well then... I would like to see this Jeff Sullivan pornagraphy.
by ghostofErikThompson on Aug 11, 2010 10:35 PM PDT
by Feliz es bueno on Aug 22, 2010 8:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
"Ballgame!" doesn't even come close to touching "Hello, Win Column!"
but it definitely gets me excited.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Josh better recognize your ode, tripnick.
A little shout-out to would be beautiful.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
There has been many a partner
to TAG before Lewin came around. None come close (except for Holtz course, may he rest in peace) to the energy, excitement and insight Josh brings.
Good stuff Orange.
by TheHuntforRedOctober on Aug 22, 2010 9:25 PM CDT reply actions
Josh has a knack for bringing out the best of TAG
TAG is such a humble guy, he doesn’t race to tell personal stories and experiences like a Joe Morgan does. He thrives with Josh because Josh knows how to draw out TAG’s knowledge.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
by WestTxAg06 on Aug 22, 2010 9:29 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
this
TAG is a better broadcaster when Josh is in the booth with him. Whether it’s the fact that he’s comfortable with Josh after, what 10 years or so, then so be it. They are a great team and you realize it more when you watch other broadcast feeds. As a point, this past Saturday was painful without both Josh and TAG. let that not happen again.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
TAG's a tough nut to crack
I saw him outside a ballpark one. Chatted him up and for whatever reason asked what hotel they were staying at. I think he figured I was a stalker and mumbled something and took off. Cool guy though.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Exactly
I hope they stay together for a long, long time.
"There's really no way of knowing... Sometimes when I see their big eyes looking up from my lap I think, that's definitely a homeless guy in a fur coat." Betty White on SNL
It's going to be horrific listening to the playoff guys take mundane, meaningless shit like Hamilton's "story"
And rehash it and blow it out of proportion time and time again during every game.
It’s the one part of the playoffs I’m not looking forward to.
I don’t always have sex with men…but when I do, I prefer Josh Hamilton. - AJM
"...and now there's a beachball on the field
and the ballboys are trying to decide who’s gonna get it…."
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
by Bob Loblaw on Aug 22, 2010 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
This is what makes me sad about playoff baseball
Josh and Tom should meet at Tom’s house, sit in the living room, and broadcast an outlaw online audio stream on blogtalkradio.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
by WestTxAg06 on Aug 23, 2010 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I would think TAG would insist on meeting at the cookie lady's house.
I don’t always have sex with men…but when I do, I prefer Josh Hamilton. - AJM
by LSJ on Aug 23, 2010 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It would make the shout-outs so much easier
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
I haven't even thought about that.
That sucks donkey balls! Damn!
Is Nadel still going to do radio feeds of the game, or is they using an espn radio feed? Although that would mean having to put up with Barnett again, I’d be willing to do that. Maybe bring Josh, TAG and Nadel all on the radio and screw the national crews. sigh.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Yes, ESPN Radio carries it too, but the teams still have their own crews
And XM Radio broadcasts all three: home, away, and ESPN. Pretty sweet.
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
Hmmm...
“He couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat”
I don’t think TAG was the first to come up with that.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I'm soooooo sorry Orange...
but Tommy Lasorda used it in 1982 in this F bomb laced tirade about ex-Ranger Kurt Bevaqua…so yeh it’s been around for a while. However, it does not diminish the greatness of one Thomas Allen Grieve- boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzjWQF1oP2M
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
What I think is most funny about the "boy" thing
is that now Josh is using it too. He used to not say it, but TAG has rubbed off on him, and now it’s become a part of his vernacular.
"...like some Russian priest fresh off a bottle of potato vodka and a box of cigars." -t ball
by rangerdanger on Aug 25, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't mind it too much...
I’d much rather him say boy then end each sentence with “man”. Some guys end every other sentence with “man” and that’s annoying and very 70s.
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
Oh, yeah,
I don’t mind it, I think it’s funny. I think it’s very old school.
"...like some Russian priest fresh off a bottle of potato vodka and a box of cigars." -t ball
by rangerdanger on Aug 25, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope Chuck G locks 'em up for a while. Love those guys, too bad
i dont get to hear them that often. And while Chuck’s writing checks can he hit the ejection seat on Barnett?
I don't understand why they hired Barnett
There are plenty of guys in the minors that are much better.
there are plenty of guys in their living rooms that are much better
that 10 year old kid that anounced an inning for Atlanta or whoever that was is much better than Barnett
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
well done Pooks, I agree
They’re the best crew in baseball, and there is no doubt in my mind about that
This shit ain't over til Bengie Molina sings.
While their sabermetric moments leave much to be desired
I too, enjoy Josh and TAG. Keep it up, guys!
"What IS your fascination with my forbidden closet of mystery?"
Josh at least tries to use advanced stats
but I do think it’s funny how every time they mention OPS, they actually have to say “OPS, on-base percentage plus slugging percentage.” OPS seems like an ancient stat to me.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I just found out
recently that OPS was considered an advanced, stathead statistic. In my mind it had been around forever and widely accepted by stup…errr.. casual baseball fans.
Guess i was wrong.
by TheHuntforRedOctober on Aug 23, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Well it has been around forever
Since the 80’s I believe. The media is just that ignorant.
I don’t always have sex with men…but when I do, I prefer Josh Hamilton. - AJM
Nor after every "but".
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Yes, way too many, commas, I think, don't you?
by Black Francis on Aug 23, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions
But it was good other than that.
I like Tom and Josh a lot.
by Black Francis on Aug 23, 2010 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I will agree with most of this just as long as it refers to a "crew"
Vin Scully is still the best in the business. It’s not even close. No offense to Josh or TAG because I’m sure they wouldn’t take offense to this comment.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
As much as I like...
Josh and TAG I think I’d still take the Giants guys over them.
Perhaps it’s because I grew up out there and listened to them call so many games, but they’re really good imho.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Well hell
You have Jon Miller. Nothing wrong with that when he’s separated from that piece of crap a/ka FJM.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
For just this one second I'm proud to be your father.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Aug 23, 2010 4:43 PM CDT reply actions
indifference?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Aug 23, 2010 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
Josh and Tom are the best. I almost would hate losing one of them as much as a few certain players.
"Hell's frozen over, Pigs are flying! The Saints have won the Super Bowl"
Shreveport Captains in LSB H2H Fantasy League
Josh and Tom are the reason why I have become such a huge Rangers fan.
My mom lived in the Metroplex when I was younger and we went to a few games at the old stadium. I got to see Nolan pitch a few times, and I was a big fan. Then my mom moved away and I lost some interest in the Rangers. I would check their standings from time to time, but that was about it.
Then a few years ago, I stumbled across a Rangers broadcast. I left the game on while I was cleaning (the kitchen?), and Josh and Tom started going on one of their movie tangents, and I loved it. From that point on, I started catching more games because I enjoyed listening to them. Then I started to pay more attention to the games, and it snowballed from there. From that lowly point, I am now posting on LSB, and it is all because of Josh and Tom. For giving me my love for the Rangers, I cannot thank Josh and Tom enough.
Superman wears Josh Hamilton pajamas.
Are you going to mail this letter to the booth?
by ghostofErikThompson on Aug 23, 2010 7:48 PM CDT reply actions
just tweet Josh the link
Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
ElectricOkra.com
He saw it, someone tweeted it to him yesterday, he apparently enjoyed it
rangerstvjosh @elgrandedavid how very nice! big thanks to whoever took the time to compose such a beautiful note. we aims2please…even the haters :)
about 17 hours ago via web in reply to elgrandedavid
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
You're gonna make it after all.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
I meant...
a physical letter through the US Postal system.
by ghostofErikThompson on Aug 23, 2010 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Three things:
I love the duo as well but have three thoughts.
1. My only complaint about Josh is frequent desire to elaborate on stuff that we all know (“Teagarden was called up when Matt Treanor injured his knee.” – 99% of his audience knows that and it shouldn’t be rehashed a week after Taylor was recalled. Other than that, he’s excellent. Love his enthusiasm…and, he seems to share the same man-crash we all have over Hamilton.
2. Wouldn’t a Nadel-Grieve tandem be the ultimate?
3. Dave Barnett. Hope management has caught on to how he is universally and, perhaps, unanimously hated by the baseball fans in the area. His grasp of the game’s nuances is terribly weak. One game last week, he carried on about an opposition baserunner taking off for 2nd…oblivious to the fact that two were out and the count was 3-2. Don’t know the length of his contract…the Ranger Network folks should scour the country and find a young up-and-comer who loves the game, has a good voice and delivery, and who would be willing to sit at Nadel’s feet and learn from the master.
Ephesians 3:20-21...and I can only imagine
um, argument...
1) 50% of Josh’s audience has no idea who either Teagarden or Treanor are. Or, for that matter, who Julio Borbon, David Murphy, Rich Harden, Tommy Hunter, Scott Feldman, or Colby Lewis are. These are the people that call into the Fan and say things like “Frankie sucks, cut him and use the money to sign Prince Fielder at the trade deadline”
2) No, because Nadel is too smart to interact well with TAG. It would be awkward.
3) I think I agree with you
Section 239, Row 1, Seats 1&2
After listening to the podcasts
…I have come to the conclusion that there is only one true candidate to replace Dave Barnett, and that candidate’s name is Adam J. Morris. He has a voice born for radio.
by Black Francis on Aug 24, 2010 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
YES
This. Must. Happen.
And rather than the rock and country music they use as bumpers for commercials, they can record his raps.
“Crops on the farm, crops on the farm, lookin’ like a foo’ with your crops on the farm.”
THE RANGERS ARE FULL OF UNBELIEVEABLE SUCK GIVE UP NOW IT DOES NOT MATTER GOOD BYE.
"It has been said that baseball is to the United States what revolutions are to Latin America, a safety valve for letting off steam. I think baseball is more serious than any Latin American revolution. But, then, I am a serious fan." -- George F. Will
Here's the thing I've always wondered about comparing
team-specific broadcasters – saying one individual or group is “the best in the business.” How does the average fan really know? I like Josh and Tom. Sure. But I never listen to anyone else. Up until the recent advent of MLB Extra Innings the fan never really had the opportunity to listen to any other team’s color guys. Even now with MLB Extra Innings I would argue that very few people listen to another market’s broadcast group frequently enough to get a large enough sample size to make a fair comparison.
I have always thought these comparisons are meritless based on this.
"...like some Russian priest fresh off a bottle of potato vodka and a box of cigars." -t ball
You're partially right
Fans don’t hear other teams’ announcers for full games much, but they do hear them quite a bit on the highlight shows, and even more than that with the MLB Network’s live look-ins.
Although you can’t base announcers on that alone, you can get a pretty good idea of their style. During highlights, you get their reactions to exciting plays, and during the look-ins you hear them when not a lot is going on and they have to fill the time.
Those are the two keys for announcing: You’ve gotta be good when it’s exciting and good when it’s boring, and on both Josh and TAG are better than any other team I’ve heard.
Next time you’re watching SportsCenter or MLB Tonight, compare everyone as they go along. Even without homerism (is that a word?), we’ve got one of the best teams, if not the best.
by UserToBeNamedLater on Aug 25, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
just testing to try to get an actual pic to show up
http://a.imageshack.us/img52/728/240f87a118084eaf8aa3fc9.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
"One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something."-Nolan Ryan
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
