Listened to Kesling last night for the first time in a long time which means I also listened to Bertelkamp.

[VOLtaism]

In todays world of technology it seems like they could figure out how to play each teams announcers synced with the video, letting you choose which announcer you want to hear. They would save a lot not having to pay announcers and the fans would be much happier. That announcer the other night seemed to be pulling for Arkansas the entire game.

 

[All Vol!]

Did anyone else as a kid play over-the-door Nerfoop while listening to Sir John Ward call the basketball games? I’m goin’ way back here, definitely showing my age, but this was back in the day of “the slender senior from Marietta, Georgia,” some of you will remember that intro.

In addition to the Wardisms some of you brought back, I’m remembering…

“Pops…Drops!”
“Guns…Bang!”
“Nothing but Nylon.”
“Tickles the Twine.”
“You walked, Sir.”
“15 foot jumper…Give It To Him!”
“21 foot jumper…Bottom!”
“Did he make it?…[Growling] He Made It!”

Jack Black said at the tribute to Zeppelin, “Best band ever, bar none.” Likewise, John Ward was the best voice to ever call a game, bar none.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Don't know if it was an off night for Bert but he offered very little in terms of insightful analysis. He was more or less a cheerleader, often hooting and hollering over Bob's commentary, but that was about it. Is he always like that? His shtick became annoying after a while.

That's what he does. It's nice to hear an announcer get excited.

 

[TNnative]

I haven’t listened to a TV announcer in I don’t know how long. No matter what, the Vol Network is always better for me

Since John Ward retired? I can count on both hands the number of times i have listened to the Vol Network for more than fifteen minutes. When it was announced Bob was replacing John? I talked to several friends about it. Actually, they came to me about it, but whatever. But we had seen Bob on Jefferson Pilot and WBIR over the years. And the overall consensus was pretty simple; Tennessee was doing what Tennessee does.

We lucked out with John Ward. Tennessee had used a few folks before Ward, including the late great Lindsay Nelson, but there was no Vol Network. And John led the effort to create the thing from scratch. And John had what I call the gift. I was told by an old long dead now gent I knew his first few games were a little raw as he learned his craft. But that gent also told me it was not long before John was in his groove. He made the game compelling because he had that kind of voice and personality. He was great, and replacing him was going to be impossible, most thought.

But they did...with Bob. Now I am sure some of you are wondering why I did not conform to the decision to hire Bob. Well I imagine the decision to hire Bob kinda went like the beginning to "My Cousin Vinny". If you haven't seen it in awhile, it starts out with Ralph Macchio and Mitchell Whitfield driving along the Alabama countryside after having left New York on their way to Los Angeles Via Alabama? (Odd plan doomed to fail) in their 1964 mettalic mint green Buick Skylark convertible. And before they arrive at the Sac-O Suds convenience store, they passed several redneck type sightings you might ONLY find in Alabama. One being a sign offering FREE HORSE MANURE. And that, IMO, was pretty much how Tennessee replaced John Ward.

I guess they felt since John Ward was local, why not follow the same old pattern? Hire somebody we know. Well, it may work for you conformists who will eat whatever crap they want to serve you with a silly smile on your face, but they could have gotten somebody better than Boring Bob or Bumbling Bob. Your choice of course. But it is what it is, and glad you all enjoy what is being served. I will pass. You can't turn a horse turd into Filet Mignon. And as to Bert hollering over Bob's commentary? Hell SOMEBODY has to.

 

[cardvolfan]

I really wish John Ward could have been around for the resurgence of Tennessee basketball in 2006. He had to call some downright atrocious losses in the 90's.

During the Friday night blizzard in March of 1993, Tennessee lost to Kentucky in the 2nd round of the SEC Tournament 101-40. It was Allan Houston's last game (should have been Wade's too).

My cable had gone out during the storm and I remember listening to Ward's call of the 2nd half... and he never once mentioned the score. LOL. It wasn't until he signed off that he finally said what the final score was.

Yeah, but you sure should have seen him (heard him) at his best during the Ernie and Bernie years.

 

[cardvolfan]

Since John Ward retired? I can count on both hands the number of times i have listened to the Vol Network for more than fifteen minutes. When it was announced Bob was replacing John? I talked to several friends about it. Actually, they came to me about it, but whatever. But we had seen Bob on Jefferson Pilot and WBIR over the years. And the overall consensus was pretty simple; Tennessee was doing what Tennessee does.

We lucked out with John Ward. Tennessee had used a few folks before Ward, including the late great Lindsay Nelson, but there was no Vol Network. And John led the effort to create the thing from scratch. And John had what I call the gift. I was told by an old long dead now gent I knew his first few games were a little raw as he learned his craft. But that gent also told me it was not long before John was in his groove. He made the game compelling because he had that kind of voice and personality. He was great, and replacing him was going to be impossible, most thought.

But they did...with Bob. Now I am sure some of you are wondering why I did not conform to the decision to hire Bob. Well I imagine the decision to hire Bob kinda went like the beginning to "My Cousin Vinny". If you haven't seen it in awhile, it starts out with Ralph Macchio and Mitchell Whitfield driving along the Alabama countryside after having left New York on their way to Los Angeles Via Alabama? (Odd plan doomed to fail) in their 1964 mettalic mint green Buick Skylark convertible. And before they arrive at the Sac-O Suds convenience store, they passed several redneck type sightings you might ONLY find in Alabama. One being a sign offering FREE HORSE MANURE. And that, IMO, was pretty much how Tennessee replaced John Ward.

I guess they felt since John Ward was local, why not follow the same old pattern? Hire somebody we know. Well, it may work for you conformists who will eat whatever crap they want to serve you with a silly smile on your face, but they could have gotten somebody better than Boring Bob or Bumbling Bob. Your choice of course. But it is what it is, and glad you all enjoy what is being served. I will pass. You can't turn a horse turd into Filet Mignon. And as to Bert hollering over Bob's commentary? Hell SOMEBODY has to.

Very good post. Bob is absolutely one of the worst play-by-play announcers of our generation. If you are a person who thinks he’s pretty good, then you’ve been living in the backwoods all your life. He is embarrassing, to be honest.

 

[cardvolfan]

Did anyone else as a kid play over-the-door Nerfoop while listening to Sir John Ward call the basketball games? I’m goin’ way back here, definitely showing my age, but this was back in the day of “the slender senior from Marietta, Georgia,” some of you will remember that intro.

In addition to the Wardisms some of you brought back, I’m remembering…

“Pops…Drops!”
“Guns…Bang!”
“Nothing but Nylon.”
“Tickles the Twine.”
“You walked, Sir.”
“15 foot jumper…Give It To Him!”
“21 foot jumper…Bottom!”
“Did he make it?…[Growling] He Made It!”

Jack Black said at the tribute to Zeppelin, “Best band ever, bar none.” Likewise, John Ward was the best voice to ever call a game, bar none.

Don’t forget: “Grunfeld to King…back to Grunfeld. I’ll bet on it. PAY ME.”

 

[All Vol!]

Don’t forget: “Grunfeld to King…back to Grunfeld. I’ll bet on it. PAY ME.”

The “Bernie & Ernie Show” predates me by a few seasons, but I have an older brother who could talk about those days with ya all day long.

 

[BruisedOrange]

BTW: I thought Bert offered much more analysis/insight during the Arkansas broadcast Saturday. It sounded like the Bert of years past, and definitely added value to my experience!

 

[walkenvol]

BTW: I thought Bert offered much more analysis/insight during the Arkansas broadcast Saturday. It sounded like the Bert of years past, and definitely added value to my experience!

I listen to several games this year because there’s no tv at our place in Townsend. The best broadcast was the North Carolina game which Bob missed

 

[StarRaider]

Steve Hamer is really good when he does the commentary.

 

[walkenvol]

Steve Hamer is really good when he does the commentary.

Who did the p by p with Hamer? He was really good and excited for UT - a homer which is good IMO

 

[StarRaider]

Who did the p by p with Hamer? He was really good and excited for UT - a homer which is good IMO

I think Bob but not positive... there were a few times when BB did not attend due to family first events. His voice is great, he is really smart about the game, and a homer.... the trifecta!

 

[walkenvol]

I think Bob but not positive... there were a few times when BB did not attend due to family first events. His voice is great, he is really smart about the game, and a homer.... the trifecta!

Definitely wasn’t Bob. It’s the guy who’s typically in the studio on these broadcasts I think. He comes on Sports Talk every afternoon. He was excited to call the game like the home announcers are supposed to be.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Steve Hamer is really good when he does the commentary.

I was excited about Hamer, hoping to learn more about the modern game. Sounded to me like he'd been trained to dumb it down for folks, rather than offer insight.

By the end of his second game calling color, he was repeating himself in very general terms.

I would love to hear him and Bert do a replay video, just talking about what's going on as they understand it, and what's changed since their times.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

They might be confusing Bertelkamp with Mickey Dearstone who is retiring from the Lady Vols broadcasts. Bert missed several games because his father Hank has had some health issues that kept Bert in town.

Or Tim Priest?

 

[MAD]

Don't know if it was an off night for Bert but he offered very little in terms of insightful analysis. He was more or less a cheerleader, often hooting and hollering over Bob's commentary, but that was about it. Is he always like that? His shtick became annoying after a while.

I like Bert just for the fact it connects my childhood of listening to John Ward on the radio when Bertelkamp played for the Vols back in the 70’s.

 

[BruisedOrange]

In todays world of technology it seems like they could figure out how to play each teams announcers synced with the video, letting you choose which announcer you want to hear. They would save a lot not having to pay announcers and the fans would be much happier. That announcer the other night seemed to be pulling for Arkansas the entire game.

Answer is: the purpose of broadcasting the game is to sell advertising. TV is not going to help radio sell its advertising at the expense of its own.

Back in the 90s, the vast majority of Saints fans wanted to listen to WWL radio's broadcast team of Jim Henderson and Archie Manning over ANYBODY in the TV broadcast booth.

The radio station kept switching their delay to match up with the TV broadcast (via cable). But either Comcast or the TV networks would keep switching their broadcast delay trying to keep WWL from matching it.

 

[Skullbone]

Bert is the best thing on Vol radio imo. I like him.

 

[VOLtaism]

Answer is: the purpose of broadcasting the game is to sell advertising. TV is not going to help radio sell its advertising at the expense of its own.

Back in the 90s, the vast majority of Saints fans wanted to listen to WWL radio's broadcast team of Jim Henderson and Archie Manning over ANYBODY in the TV broadcast booth.

The radio station kept switching their delay to match up with the TV broadcast (via cable). But either Comcast or the TV networks would keep switching their broadcast delay trying to keep WWL from matching it.

The advertising makes sense but the radio could just adopt the same commercial schedule as the network. The announcers don't do any advertising on air that I cam remember anyway.

 

[TNnative]

Very good post. Bob is absolutely one of the worst play-by-play announcers of our generation. If you are a person who thinks he’s pretty good, then you’ve been living in the backwoods all your life. He is embarrassing, to be honest.

I am sure there are worse play by play people out there. There are some completely incompetent that aren't around long. But what Bob is? It's boring. And he does not realize he is. Just like the fans who think he is worth keeping around are. They do not want to eat their own.

And since the pattern has been established, it is no wonder we have made so many bad coaching hires.

 

[Model12]

Did anyone else as a kid play over-the-door Nerfoop while listening to Sir John Ward call the basketball games? I’m goin’ way back here, definitely showing my age, but this was back in the day of “the slender senior from Marietta, Georgia,” some of you will remember that intro.

In addition to the Wardisms some of you brought back, I’m remembering…

“Pops…Drops!”
“Guns…Bang!”
“Nothing but Nylon.”
“Tickles the Twine.”
“You walked, Sir.”
“15 foot jumper…Give It To Him!”
“21 foot jumper…Bottom!”
“Did he make it?…[Growling] He Made It!”

Jack Black said at the tribute to Zeppelin, “Best band ever, bar none.” Likewise, John Ward was the best voice to ever call a game, bar none.

"Steve Ray in the way..."