Baseball for the Thinking Fan

Login | Register | Feedback

btf_logo
You are here > Home > Baseball Newsstand > Baseball Primer Newsblog > Discussion
Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Friday, July 04, 2008

Miami Herald: Broadcaster Buck’s joke backfires

But Buck said by phone Thursday that he was joking. The only broader point he meant seriously, Buck said, was baseball must follow through on efforts to speed up the game.

...Bayless, ESPN’s resident gasbag, said, ``If I’m Bud Selig, I don’t want him being my national voice of baseball.’‘

‘‘Good for him,’’ Buck said of Bayless’ remark.

But seriously . . . ‘‘It was a total joke. If it didn’t come across as that, you fault the joke teller. Baseball has been my life [forever],’’ Buck said, as he recalled accompanying his father, legendary announcer Jack Buck, to games as a child.

Buck assured Thursday that he watches a lot of baseball not only because ‘‘it’s my job to stay current,’’ but also because ‘‘I enjoy it.’’ He said he jokingly mentioned The Bachelorette only ``because I had watched it with my wife the night before.’‘

On Thursday, Buck called Selig, baseball executive Tim Brosnan, Fox Sports president Ed Goren and Fox Sports chairman David Hill to apologize. ‘‘I said it was wrong and I’m sorry and it won’t happen again,’’ Buck said. ``I learned a valuable lesson. You have to be careful what you say and I was not careful.’‘

Buck said Selig ‘‘joked that he’ll tell my mom to spank me.’‘

Woo-hoo…I hope that shows up on that whacky The Caning Mutiny site!

Repoz Posted: July 04, 2008 at 04:01 AM | 33 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
  Related News: GeneralAnnouncersTelevision

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 1 of 1 pages
   1. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: July 04, 2008 at 04:47 AM (#2843040)
I'm not Buck fan, but Bayless is the last guy to be criticizing anyone about how they go about performing their job.
   2. Fred Garvin is a sick f**k, guilty as charged Posted: July 04, 2008 at 04:55 AM (#2843042)
I think part of the storm has to do with the fact that Buck constantly has a tone in which it could sound as if he's indifferent to the event.

For years, I've thought that whether he does MLB or the NFL, he seems to have a tone as if he's not particularly happy to be there, as if he's saying "look what they've got me doing now." If his voice had more enthusiasm, then it would've been more obvious he was joking.
   3. Fred Garvin is a sick f**k, guilty as charged Posted: July 04, 2008 at 04:59 AM (#2843043)
I should also add that I really think it's sad that Buck is apparently serious in complaining about the length of games, considering that (a) the NFL games he broadcasts are filled with timeouts and generally run longer and (b) much of the delays in his games are due to extra commercials added by FOX.
   4. Rich Posted: July 04, 2008 at 05:00 AM (#2843044)
This incident is merely a diversion. Buck and McCarver are beyond awful at their jobs. Baseball fans deserve better.
   5. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 04, 2008 at 05:01 AM (#2843046)
What, you couldn't hear the enthusiasm, the joy, in Buck's voice during the Manning-to-Tyree play?
   6. Halofan Posted: July 04, 2008 at 05:06 AM (#2843049)
Anything to make MIster Smug sweat.
   7. Social media assassin (Templeusox) Posted: July 04, 2008 at 05:20 AM (#2843051)
Buck is lying. He wasn't joking.
   8. jwb Posted: July 04, 2008 at 05:23 AM (#2843053)
Bayless is the last guy to be criticizing anyone about how they go about performing their job.
Skip Bayless is very good at his job. His job is to write about the Dallas Cowboys. People in San Jose or Chicago who hire him are not good at their jobs, unless they want someone to write about the Dallas Cowboys.
   9. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken (Dewey is a slacker) Posted: July 04, 2008 at 05:50 AM (#2843062)
What, you couldn't hear the enthusiasm, the joy, in Buck's voice during the Manning-to-Tyree play?
Seriously, he called that as though it was a normal catch, with just a little question as to whether it hit the ground or not. Aikman's reaction was the better one -- his first words were "Oh my God!"

The GW-touchdown call was better, his voice raised when Manning threw it, knowing that it wasn't just a pass, but that Burress was all alone and was about to win the Super Bowl.

I watch that play sometimes when I need a smile. That was just... so great.
   10. larkin4HoF Posted: July 04, 2008 at 06:05 AM (#2843067)
When public figures say something stupid and then claim that it was a joke, the basic criteia i use to judge their claim is whether there is any humor in the statement. Generally, there is not, but Buck's statement hit the Jay Lenomlevel of humor-it not only was not funny, but it completly sucked any possible trace of humor out of the the room.
   11. Flynn Posted: July 04, 2008 at 06:45 AM (#2843071)
Buck is a liar and has been bored with baseball for at least five years. I remember an Outside the Lines with Buck and Bob Costas. Costas forwarded all these proposals for baseball, some good, some bad, while Buck just sat there and whined that the season was too long and that he'd limit it to 100 games. I don't think it's unfair to say that if you want to shorten the season by 40% or more, you don't like baseball.
   12. Flynn Posted: July 04, 2008 at 06:45 AM (#2843072)
   13. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: July 04, 2008 at 10:54 AM (#2843082)
I don't think it's unfair to say that if you want to shorten the season by 40% or more, you don't like baseball.

I don't know. That idea might have some support this year among Seattle and San Diego fans.
   14. Fred Garvin is a sick f**k, guilty as charged Posted: July 04, 2008 at 11:38 AM (#2843094)
I don't know. That idea might have some support this year among Seattle and San Diego fans.

Perhaps they ought to do it like F1 knockout qualifying -- after 100 games, the bottom 8 teams drop out, then another 6 drop after 20 more, then another 4 drop after 20 more, then another 4 drop out after 22 more. Suddenly after 162 games, you're down to 8 playoff teams!
   15. Fred Garvin is a sick f**k, guilty as charged Posted: July 04, 2008 at 12:03 PM (#2843104)
When's the last time you watched an audit? Are you in any CPA fantasy leagues?
   16. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader Posted: July 04, 2008 at 12:19 PM (#2843108)
Well, let me ask others here. Let's say you're an accountant. When you go home from work, do you spend your free time idly tallying columns of numbers?

kevin, you do see the difference between accountancy and baseball, no? Baseball in an entertainment enterprise, it has to convince us that it is important--despite the fact it's not--and our live will never be the same if we miss something--which is complete crap. In other words, it exists on a foundation of hype. Baseball is where we go because that's where we want to be, not becasue it's where we have to be. Having a turd in the booth who sounds bored and pretty obviously doesn't want to be there except that he likes the paycheck is like watching ourselves slave in our offices. Who the hell can get excited by that?

And if Buck is only watching games he broadcasts, how many is that really? Poor guy.
   17. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: July 04, 2008 at 12:55 PM (#2843121)
Burn him. Kill him with fire.
   18. Jim Wisinski Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:12 PM (#2843130)
Maybe that's why Buck is half-drunk when he broadcasts the games.
   19. Dr Love Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:46 PM (#2843156)
Criminy, Buck watches more baseball games than Bayless could imagine. I don't blame Buck for wanting to give it a rest away from the booth.


He calls one game a week, which seems to be the only game he watches each week.
   20. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: July 04, 2008 at 01:57 PM (#2843162)
"Grow weary, folks! Grow weary!"
   21. Padraic Posted: July 04, 2008 at 02:12 PM (#2843169)
Nothing to add other than there was no way Buck was joking.

Buck apparently only understands the "dry" in dry humor. He's under the odd impression that if you just sound bored and uninterested, it is ipso facto funny.
   22. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: July 04, 2008 at 02:44 PM (#2843192)
Well, let me ask others here. Let's say you're an accountant. When you go home from work, do you spend your free time idly tallying columns of numbers?

Well, I'm an actuary, and I get home from work, I enjoy tallying columns of numbers. About baseball, of course.

If I were to get interviewed by someone like Bob Costas about my job (yeah, that's likely), I sure as hell wouldn't diss on my occupation.
   23. Petooter: 11'6" 355 lbs of scrap and grit Posted: July 04, 2008 at 07:05 PM (#2843469)
1. I basically feel that the Buck/McCarver duo is frontrunner for Antichrist consideration.
2. It pretty clearly wasn't a joke, and was an incredibly dumb thing to say.
3. Joe Buck knows how to apologize. It was actually refreshing to read his statement after all the fake "apologies" we get in sports today. I now have one entry on the "pro" column when it comes to tallying up Joe Buck's existence. Other announcers/athletes/mediots/whoever could take a lesson from him when it comes to taking responsibility for making a mistake.
   24. Artie Ziff Posted: July 04, 2008 at 07:38 PM (#2843489)
Buck being picked on by a grown man I've never heard of named Skip? Something's wrong.
   25. CFBF Hates Hyphens Posted: July 04, 2008 at 08:00 PM (#2843502)

Buck being picked on by a grown man I've never heard of named Skip? Something's wrong.


You've never heard of Skip Bayless? Can we trade lives?
   26. Boileryard Posted: July 04, 2008 at 08:36 PM (#2843512)
"You've hit 26 singles, Sammy--15 more than Bonds. In the category considered most telling by experts--On Base Plus Slugging, figured by runs scored plus RBIs minus homers--you lead Bonds 74-69." -- Skip Bayless, Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2001.
   27. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 04, 2008 at 08:37 PM (#2843514)
Well, an OPS of 74 was quite striking at the time.
   28. SouthSideRyan Posted: July 04, 2008 at 09:32 PM (#2843583)
That was runs created I believe, not OPS. I do recall that being called runs created when I was younger.
   29. Perros Posted: July 04, 2008 at 09:37 PM (#2843588)
Selig should deliver the spanking, with video available at mlb.com.
   30. Chris Dial Posted: July 04, 2008 at 09:45 PM (#2843593)
I do recall that being called runs created when I was younger.
It was (and is) called "runs produced".
   31. Chris Dial Posted: July 04, 2008 at 10:10 PM (#2843614)
Stupidest controversy EVAR.
   32. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: July 04, 2008 at 11:02 PM (#2843720)
I would pay to see Buck interview Adam Dunn.
Page 1 of 1 pages

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

 

 

<< Back to main

Support BBTF

donate

Thanks to
Martin Hemner
for his generous support.

Bookmarks

You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.

Hot Topics

NewsblogWhatever Happened to the Spitball?
(19 - 4:19am, Feb 10)
Last: toratoratora

NewsblogFangraphs: Cameron: The 10 Worst Transactions Of The Winter
(83 - 4:15am, Feb 10)
Last: drdr

NewsblogPrimer Dugout (and link of the day) 2-10-2012
(3 - 4:11am, Feb 10)
Last: vortex of dissipation

NewsblogKnobler: Stay away from steroids -- but vote how you want
(19 - 4:02am, Feb 10)
Last: smileyy

NewsblogJeff Sullivan: The Worst Team Ever Projected?
(49 - 3:56am, Feb 10)
Last: smileyy

Transaction Oracle2012 ZiPS Projections - Texas Rangers
(19 - 3:53am, Feb 10)
Last: Jebuddhallah

NewsblogGrantland/Bill James: An Open Letter to the Hall of Fame About Dwight Evans
(26 - 2:04am, Feb 10)
Last: DanG

NewsblogL.A. Times: 11 bidders remain in running to buy Dodgers
(7 - 1:56am, Feb 10)
Last: Joe Kehoskie

NewsblogNYT: Alderson Remakes Needy Mets From Bottom Line Up
(41 - 1:37am, Feb 10)
Last: PreservedFish

NewsblogSources: Cubs’ Starlin Castro Accused Of Sexual Assault
(5843 - 1:12am, Feb 10)
Last: He's Bought a Bat Like Prince Fielder

NewsblogOrioles Scouts Banned from Korea
(3 - 1:11am, Feb 10)
Last: Tripon

NewsblogNY Daily News: Brian Cashman's accused stalker says Yankees GM misled feds on steroid probe
(48 - 1:05am, Feb 10)
Last: The Yankee Clapper

Newsblog'Duk: Tim Lincecum slims down with swim routine, loses appetite for McDonald’s
(282 - 12:44am, Feb 10)
Last: MM1f

Jim's Lab NotesPlease Excuse the Mess
(174 - 12:06am, Feb 10)
Last: SoSHially Unacceptable

NewsblogThe Book Blog: MGL: Today on Clubhouse Confidential
(78 - 11:50pm, Feb 09)
Last: RayDiPerna

Buy MLB playoff tickets, plus 2011 World Series, 2011 ALCS tickets and NLCS game tickets. We also have Texas Rangers playoff schedule, tickets to Red Sox games and Yankees game tickets. Plus, buy Phillies baseball tickets, Tigers playoff tickets and the biggies like ALDS baseball tickets and 2011 NLDS tickets.

Demarini, Easton and TPX Baseball Bats

 

 

 

AllianceTickets.com has cheap MLB Tickets. Get all your Colorado Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, San Francisco Giants Tickets and all your favorite baseball tickets here. We also carry cheap Denver Broncos Tickets, Seattle Seahawks Tickets and Denver Nuggets Tickets.

Page rendered in 0.5029 seconds
40 querie(s) executed