I was watching Mike Gorman's interview with Doc a few days ago about the whole "hidden money" thing, which, if true, is pretty cool. But watching the interview got me thinking a little bit, because every time I watch a Celtics game (very rarely) I get to enjoy Gorman's excellent play-by-play. I got to thinking...who is the best sportscaster that Boston has had over the last two decades? Sports fans know that a big part of enjoying a game on television is the effectiveness and quality of the commentating duo. Try watching a hockey game to the voice of Joe Beninati (Capitals announcer) or a Sunday Night Baseball game to the tune of Joe Morgan (sorry, Jon Miller) and you'll know just how important the commentary is. Luckily, for Boston fans, we've been blessed with some very good, if not great, sportscasters in the past few decades. I decided to try and list the top 5:
5. Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley
Maybe, with my love for the Black and Gold, people may have expected this combo to be higher on the list, but there are more deserving candidates. Nobody can deny that Jack Edwards is as entertaining as they come. He might not be the smartest guy in the booth, but he certainly knows how to keep things interesting. Next to him, Brickley offers up the hockey-smarts. Brick's flash comes more from his suits than his color commentary, but he does an extremely good job at analyzing a game. After the lockout, I was disappointed to hear that Jack was going to be moving into a full-time role, replacing Dale Arnold for all home games (Edwards was already the road announcer). But, over the years, we've all come to love his madness.
4. Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy
I've recently criticized Orsillo for being kind of "dull" during broadcasts, and I've never been a huge fan of Remy the way everyone else has. But what I didn't consider is the fact that Orsillo commentates almost 162 games per year, and he does it for a sport that lacks the speed and intensity of some of the others. But what truly makes these two great is their relationship with one another. We all remember when Manny was "petting" Julian Tavares' head and Don was laughing uncontrollably and asking Jerry to "make him stop!" Their familiarity and comfort level with each other makes them one of the best combination's in Boston.
I've recently criticized Orsillo for being kind of "dull" during broadcasts, and I've never been a huge fan of Remy the way everyone else has. But what I didn't consider is the fact that Orsillo commentates almost 162 games per year, and he does it for a sport that lacks the speed and intensity of some of the others. But what truly makes these two great is their relationship with one another. We all remember when Manny was "petting" Julian Tavares' head and Don was laughing uncontrollably and asking Jerry to "make him stop!" Their familiarity and comfort level with each other makes them one of the best combination's in Boston.
3. Gil Santos and Gino Capalletti
If you ask my dad, there is no other way to listen to football. He can't stand the national broadcasters, so he's willing to suffer through the 3 to 4 second lag between radio and TV just so he can listen to the smooth speaking, reasonably biased Gil Santos. For the last two decades, he has be the voice for the Pats. He perfectly summed up his greatness after Adam Vinatieri's SuperBowl-winning kick against the Rams..."IT'S GOOD! IT'S GOOD!" Unfortunately I couldn't find the appropriate Youtube clip of Gil and Gino, but you all know the soundbite by now.
2. Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn
Tommy, you can thank Mike Gorman for being this high. I don't think I've ever listened to a more annoying, more pathetically biased color commentator than Tommy Heinsohn. For some people, it's what they want to hear, but I can't stand the guy. Mike Gorman, on the other hand, is one of the best in sports today. He's got a great play-by-play voice, he's fair, and calls it as he sees it. So for the number two spot in the rankings, Mike Gorman...you "Got it!"
1. Fred Cusick and Derek Sanderson
These two are the reason that the number five duo on this list couldn't go any higher. As entertaining as Jack Edwards is, he will never come close to the broadcaster that Fred Cusick was. Forget Boston, Cusick might be the greatest play-by-play in the history of sports. Instead of flash, Cusick called his games with his smooth, Kurt Gowdy-like voice. Cusick is one of the reasons I've become such a diehard Bruins fan, because he was so great to listen to during all those Bruins games in the 90's. He'll always be remembered for calling Bobby Orr's "flying goal" to beat St. Louis in the Cup Final, but that is only a glimpse of the greatness of Fred Cusick. The Bruins rightfully dedicated the announcers booth to the late Cusick, who is and will forever be the voice of the Bruins.
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