Riske likely to have Tommy John surgery

Wayfaerer — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:23:44 -0000

Riske likely to have Tommy John surgery

This would put him out for the season. Sigh.

Capps hit by liner, possibly injured.

Wayfaerer — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:01:29 -0000

Capps hit by liner, possibly injured.

Burnett came in and finished the game out. The last thing the Pirates need are injuries when they could be beating the Cubs for us.

TV/Radio Announcer Checkup

Wayfaerer — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:12:56 -0000

We've seen a few changes in the Brewers' TV and radio cast over the past few years, and while mentioned, opinions haven't really been collected in one place that I've noticed. I was thinking today about what I think of the new announcing corps, and decided I'd make my first-ever FanPost about it. So, without further adieu:

The Big Guys:

Brian Anderson, replacing Daron Sutton in 2007.

Brian is now in his third season with the Brewers, and his improvement is evident. I have to say, I rolled my eyes when I heard they had picked up an announcer whose last gig was with The Golf Channel, but over time, I've warmed to him.

Brian's initial months were a little shaky and his nerves were evident. His interplay with Bill Schroeder was limited and wooden, and his play-by-play was very much by the numbers. It was a jarring change from the constantly over-enthusiasic Daron Sutton, to say the least.

By the end of the 2007 season, though , I felt like Anderson really hit his stride. Both his play-by-play and his banter had become much more entertaining. It still seems, sometimes, that Bill Schroeder is rolling his eyes when Anderson makes a joke, but for the most part, they do well together. His enthusiasm at the right times is just about perfect, without sacrificing professionalism.

One thing, though - Anderson has the obnoxious habit of getting a 'clever' phrase in his head and using it several times a game for a week or two. I can't think of a good example right now, but it's the last thing about him I really dislike.

Cory Provus, replacing Jim Powell in 2009.

Small sample size warning here - I usually am either watching the game or am not able to see it. I've heard about 5 full radio games and snippets of others.

I can't think of anyone who didn't like Jim Powell at least a little, so Provus had some big shoes to fill. That being said, there's been almost no adjustment period for Provus at all. He has a good radio voice, seems to like the team, and brings something of a younger feel to the broadcast. Powell and Uecker are both very, very good, don't get me wrong, but they both seem a little, well, old, and I like the change in that feel that Provus brings to the broadcast.

Of course, absolutely essential to any broadcaster is his home run call, and I was initially a little underwhelmed by Cory's. It wasn't bad, it just didn't seem to have quite the heft that it shoudl've. A few weeks later, I heard him call a dinger in a tight game and the enthusiasm was palpable. I think it was the first time I though, "Hey, I like this guy."

One thing I'd like cleared up though - I've only caught the radio pregame once (I'm usually reading BCB pregame), and the bit I caught was Provus doing a player interview. His voice sounded extremely deep and completely different - Think Batman vs. Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight. It this the usual for him, or was there something wrong with his voice that day?

The Others:

Telly Hughes, replacing Trenni Kusnierek in 2009.

The jury is still out on Telly. He seems really nervous, and stumbles over himself far too often for a professional broadcaster. I'll give him awhile to settle in before I completely write him off, but one thing's for sure - the pastels have to go.

Jerry Augustine, not really replacing anyone.

I'm trying to stay positive here, so what I will say about Jerry is that he consistantly does the impossible.

He makes me wish Davey Nelson was on-screen.

So, what do you guys and gals think of our new personalities, and our announcing corps as a whole?

LaPorta Called Up

Wayfaerer — Sun, 03 May 2009 21:57:09 -0000

LaPorta Called Up

After a ridiculous week in Triple-A, Matt LaPorta gets a look at the bigs. Should be interesting to follow.

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Riske likely to have Tommy John surgery