BBTF.org/m/history : And Then Al Michaels Said To Howard Cosell: “You’re Drunk. You’re Ruining The ####### Telecast.”

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

2013 Results: Bonds, Clemens, Piazza and Biggio are elected to the Hall of Merit!

(bbtf)

posted on December 12, 2012 at 10:14 PM by Joe Dimino to history | 61 comment(s)

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza and Craig Biggio have been elected to the Hall of Merit!

The timing for our first year electing 4 candidates could not have worked out better, since class of 2013 is the strongest in terms of electees that we’ve ever had. The top of the 1934 ballot included Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Eddie Collins, Pop Lloyd, Smokey Joe Williams and Cristobal Torriente, but only 2 were elected.

Bonds and Clemens were each unanimous at 1 and 2. I believe that’s the first ...

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1. The Mohole* of David Wells (* - Piehole)

posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:35 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

The anecdote is interesting, but it's very poorly written. The article makes no sense in places. And I really wanted to read it. Bummer.

2. Harveys Wallbangers

posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:37 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Cosell hated baseball

Pretty simple

3. Gonfalon Bubble posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:49 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

In the end, Spence made the call: Cosell would not be used for the World Series, played between Gussie Busch’s Cardinals and the cross-state Kansas City Royals.

Also not used for the World Series were Gussie Busch’s Cardinals, and the cross-state Kansas City Royals. The Cardinals and Royals didn't play the 1984 World Series. The following year, the Tigers weren't in the ALCS. ABC didn't broadcast the 1985 Series.

4. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It's been clear for decades that Al Michaels is something of a bossypants priss.

5. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) posted on November 18, 2011 at 12:59 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Also not used for the World Series were Gussie Busch’s Cardinals, and the cross-state Kansas City Royals. The Cardinals and Royals didn't play the 1984 World Series.

you have to RTFA--the ellipsis in the quoted excerpt takes us into 1985

ABC didn't broadcast the 1985 Series.

yes, they did

6. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

posted on November 18, 2011 at 01:41 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Can we refer to McCarver as Cosell's Curse from now on? It's the same number of syllables!

7. Gonfalon Bubble posted on November 18, 2011 at 01:59 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

ABC didn't broadcast the 1985 Series.

yes, they did

My mistake-- I mixed up the online lists of WS and ALCS broadcast networks. And I'm not even drunk and quarrelsome!

8. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish posted on November 18, 2011 at 02:08 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

So it's Cosell's fault we have Tim McCarver doing the Series? Thanks, Howie. Thanks a lot.

9. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert posted on November 18, 2011 at 02:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I dunno what Al is beefing about, he probably got to talk a little more if Cosell was drunk.

10. YR Misses Reggie Bars posted on November 18, 2011 at 02:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I always liked Cosell as a boxing commentator despite his clear lack of technical knowledge. Enthusiasm covers a multitude of sins.

11. Tom Nawrocki posted on November 18, 2011 at 02:44 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Coincidentally, I just posted something on my blog about Cosell and the Monday Night Football crew. I've been watching MNF games from the early '70s, and it's obvious to me that Gifford and Meredith both brought a lot more to the broadcast than Cosell. Cosell had some contributions to make as a journalist, but most of the time, he was really nothing more than a hype man.

The whole piece is here.

12. Tom Nawrocki posted on November 18, 2011 at 02:55 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I always liked Cosell as a boxing commentator despite his clear lack of technical knowledge. Enthusiasm covers a multitude of sins.

I'm surprised that you, a boxing expert, would say that. It's always been my understanding that aficionados of a sport want more expertise from their announcers, while casual fans want more enthusiasm.

I know a lot of serious college basketball fans hate Dick Vitale, but I - who don't follow college basketball at all - have always appreciated his enthusiasm. I think his obvious love of college basketball is infectious, and I need someone to be that excited about the game in order to get me excited about it, or else I just won't care.

13. Gary Truth Serum posted on November 18, 2011 at 03:06 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

For years I've been trying to figure out the inane baseball strategy that Howard was babbling about during that 1984 ALCS game. I remember it was inane, I just can't remember what the strategy was supposed to be.

14. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines posted on November 18, 2011 at 03:30 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Cosell hated baseball

Pretty simple

Ah, the Bill Simmons of his day.

But even he couldn't destroy it!

15. The Long Arm of Rudy Law posted on November 18, 2011 at 04:40 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I like that there's a big Jim Beam ad next to the article/excerpt.

16. Walt Davis posted on November 18, 2011 at 07:03 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

So it's Cosell's fault we have Tim McCarver doing the Series?

No, McCarver is just another of alcohol's deleterious effects on society. Don't drink, kids!

17. Monty posted on November 18, 2011 at 07:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Needing a good stiff belt himself, he then went into the press room and asked for a large vodka. The apologetic bartender poured the glass only a quarter full

There was an actual bartender in the press room?

18. Athletic Supporter gangnam style posted on November 18, 2011 at 07:25 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think his obvious love of college basketball is infectious, and I need someone to be that excited about the game in order to get me excited about it, or else I just won't care.

This is how I feel about Joe Buck.

Wait, no, complete opposite of that.

19. The Id of SugarBear Blanks

posted on November 18, 2011 at 07:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

There was an actual bartender in the press room?

Wonder what game of the ALCS it was? I watched the whole broadcast of Game 3 8-9 months ago and Cosell didn't seem any worse than usual.

Michaels probably just never liked Cosell calling him "Alfalfa."

20. Joe Bivens, Minor Genius posted on November 18, 2011 at 11:54 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

How could anyone with a sense of humor not like Cosell? Arrogant tools are always good for a laugh, and, isn't that the important thing in life? A laugh?

21. Morty Causa posted on November 19, 2011 at 12:24 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Remember when Tom Seaver was a guest. Seaver was pretty good, rather glib in fact, and he one time used the term "butcher boy" and it was always funny thereafter to witness the strain Howard exerted to work the term into his comments.

22. Gary Truth Serum posted on November 19, 2011 at 01:38 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

Wonder what game of the ALCS it was? I watched the whole broadcast of Game 3 8-9 months ago and Cosell didn't seem any worse than usual.

It was Game 2--the final one in Kansas City. I remember that much even if I can't remember what Cosell said.

23. Delino DeShields & Yarnell posted on November 19, 2011 at 01:38 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

And who could forget this critique of Howard?
hates his guts

24. Jolly Old St. Nick Done Jumped The Ship

posted on November 19, 2011 at 03:14 AM # hit 0 | hit 0

I know a lot of serious college basketball fans hate Dick Vitale, but I - who don't follow college basketball at all - have always appreciated his enthusiasm. I think his obvious love of college basketball is infectious, and I need someone to be that excited about the game in order to get me excited about it, or else I just won't care.

It's not Vitale's enthusiasm that's so goddam grating, it's that godawful voice and accent, which makes it seem as if he's intentionally trying to sound about 50 IQ points dumber than he probably is, driven by some particularly dimwitted sort of a marketing strategy.

Of course it's possible that if he didn't say "DOOOK" like some Borscht Belt imitation of a 1930's movie gangster, the rest of his schtick wouldn't be so annoying.

----------------------------------

How could anyone with a sense of humor not like Cosell? Arrogant tools are always good for a laugh, and, isn't that the important thing in life? A laugh?

By that standard, I guess that John Sterling should be your favorite baseball announcer.

25. Joe Bivens, Minor Genius posted on November 19, 2011 at 12:40 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Never heard him announce.

26. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish posted on November 19, 2011 at 04:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

23: Loved the WTT and NASL standings on the same page!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

2013 Results: Bonds, Clemens, Piazza and Biggio are elected to the Hall of Merit!

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