Aw what do you care, its just an announcer!

I meant to write this a month earlier with the retirement of Mike “Doc” Emrick, the longtime voice of the NJ Devils and also the primary national broadcaster for hockey games. Announcers are a part of the presentation package of the given game that you are watching. Some may argue that a fan will watch the game for the event itself, but it would be unfair to deny that a great announcer enhances the experience for the viewer. Some announcers are iconic and hold a dear spot in the hearts of the public whereas bad announcers are usually reviled and serve as the butt of jokes.

Announcing can serve in many forms: sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts, and wrestling have ring announcers who are an integral component at the live event as they serve to hype the crowd for the upcoming event. Consider “Let’s get ready to rumble,” from Michael Buffer for boxing matches, “It’s time,” from Bruce Buffer for UFC events, and “Aaaand new” from Howard Finkel signifying a title change in the WWE. For fans of the respective sports, those calls are simply iconic.

Going back to play by play announcers and analysts, there is a certain element and feeling of comfort that they bring when watching a game. I grew up on Pat Summerall and John Madden doing football games, Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola doing baseball’s game of the week, Marv Albert and Mike Fratello doing the NBA, and Doc Emrick and John Davidson on commentary for the NHL. Heck I could also say that I felt like I was watching a huge boxing match if Steve Albert of Jim Lampley was behind the mic and a huge wrestling event with Jim Ross and Jerry “The King” Lawler on commentary. The point is that based upon region certain announcers just are part of the team. Take for example Chick Hearn, who is part of the LA Lakers lore. Personally, I never did get the appeal… being from the NY tri-state area I’m more of a Marv Albert guy, but I would never downplay the importance that Chick Hearn is to a Lakers’ fan. These men and women play an important role in the fan experience.

I have been fortunate to be in the New York market to have exposure to some great announcers. National names such as Sam Rosen, Mike Breen, Kenny Albert, and Ian Eagle are all part of our regular fan experience. It feels odd whenever your local hometown announcer is out and there is a substitute. Granted you will still watch the game, but there is something that feels off. You always can think of announcers and their signature calls or memorable catchphrases. It is no wonder that long time announcers have seen their names put into a ring of honor or hung from the rafters of the arena. They are just one of the many reasons that we the fans, love sports.

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