BA signs extension

[markedman5]

It stinks that he doesn't do more games but his loyalty to the franchise and city is very cool.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

It stinks that he doesn't do more games but his loyalty to the franchise and city is very cool.

 

He's in demand by national outlets because the guy is damn good at his job. He brings a great level of excitement to TV games, and is very polished. The Brewers are lucky to have him.

[pacopete4]

Awesome news! I'm always amazed at someone who whines that this guy goes off to national events at times during the season. We are lucky to have such a talent be loyal to Milwaukee and truly love the Brewers.

[Samurai Bucky]

This is great news. Who knows... he could have gone to San Diego... [sarcasm]not that any former play-by-play guys have done that.[/sarcasm]

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I like him but there is not really loyalty here. There's flexibility in that he's a huge fish in a small pond and has the leverage to run off and do all his gigs as he pleases. A major market that would poach him wouldn't tolerate it. So it seems to work out for both parties.

[patrickgpe]

I'm not sure every franchise would let him have the freedom he has to do national broadcasts. He obviously likes working here and with Rock. Makes sense.

[tmwiese55]

Yea I'd agree with OSS in general that loyalty might not be the right word. But, he genuinely seems to like MKE area as his 'home' at this point and possibly forever. So maybe loyalty isn't the right word, but comfortable and happy might be accurate. Might just be the type who doesn't want to live/work in a big city. Workwise, they give him all the freedom to do the national stuff and he likely has full power to make his own schedule, whereas a NY/LA team might try to impose their will on him a bit.

 

I'd venture a guess that with all his national stuff (assuming heavy travel happens again) he likes being in the middle of the country as no trip is overly difficult. A place like Dallas would probably be the most perfect for that but MKE/Chicago is darn close.

 

I actually think it's also a good thing that he misses some games just to get a different voice for some days. People get sick of anyone after 160 games, especially after 15 years. I like how Rock has missed some time this year and think the primarily replacement (drawing a blank on hsi name right now) has done a great job.

 

IMO he's the best play by play guy in both sports and should be the #1 slot on TNT/TBS for baseball and basketball. I guess I could give Costas a small nod in baseball but that's mostly nostalgia and how I appreciate his appreciation for the history of the game. Still curious if they'll try to get him involved in Bucks a bit going forward with Jim moving on. Could be a factor too, another local gig for a title contender for a bit of extra money.

[bucks2281]

This arrangement isn’t really uncommon — most of the big name national NBA PBP voices have jobs with teams — Mike Breen (Knicks), Ian Eagle (Nets), Mark Jones (Kings).

[folly412]

BA is very good. My issue is less with him leaving for NBA playoffs and national games than Bally not having a dedicated #2 guy. It's Lepay, until UW-Madison starts football season or they're having a fundraiser, then he's obligated to them. Then it's Levering, though he's already got a gig on radio. Then it falls to Coshun. Add Rock's time off and adding Singleton / Dillard to the mix, and it's very musical chairs in the booth.

[patrickgpe]

I don't mind the different voices, although i like some fill-ins more than others. I think the issue is that they have 2 "part time" TV announcers since Rock gets his time off too. Personally Id let Dillard run with it.

[jerichoholicninja]

The less Rock the better. I love that he calls out the Cardinals for their crap but that's about all he does well.

[SeaBass]

I like Levering as a fill in more than Lepay, the Brewers probably prefer to keep him on the radio side of things but I could see Levering doing tv full time and being good at it (if BA ever left).

 

I know Rock isn't everyone's favorite but I like him. He can be repetitive with some of his comments but I like his rapport with Anderson and Rock doesn't really shy away from calling things the way he sees it. Rock is a more old school baseball guy though, it would be interesting to have a more modern take from an analyst. I'm not sure Dillard is that guy, I don't doubt his general baseball knowledge but he's kind of limited to his own experiences and that's been a lot of minor league action and pitching perspective and not so much on the batter's perspective.

[MrTPlush]

I love BA, but I can't lie, I have gotten a little annoyed on how much he is gone. Not annoyed like I want someone new...just bummed when he isn't on.

 

I wish they could find a consistent #2 for the whole year, but understandable they can't. Who wants to be a part time guy in such a major role? Doesn't make a lot of sense. I thought Lepay was absolute garbage when he first started, but he has gotten used to baseball that he isn't too bad. I like him occasionally for the over the top homerism.

 

I used to hate Rock when I first started watching games a ton, but I have grown to accept that he isn't a bad color guy. Former Brewer, gives you the homer talk, and hates the rivals like fans. I just wish he would shut up about how bad of a catcher he was. I think some may regret their hate when he retires, it could be a lot worse. Same for BA...its like some haven't ever watched an away feed or a non Brewers game. There is some hot garbage doing PxP.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I think Levering is being groomed as Ueck's replacement eventually. Levering and Grindel make a decent radio team once you get used to the fact that neither of them are Bob Uecker.

[yfinn6]

I think Levering is being groomed as Ueck's replacement eventually. Levering and Grindel make a decent radio team once you get used to the fact that neither of them are Bob Uecker.

 

And they sound so similar to me. I really like listening to their back-and-forth.

[markedman5]

I’m not a Levering fan…….he tends do TV like it’s radio…….also think he hypes plays and players more then I prefer.

 

Singleton has been a pleasant surprise as fill in for Rock.

[tomwopat]

I think Levering has some good chemistry with Uecker, but that's about it.

 

One thing that bothers me a bit is how often he makes mistakes-- getting player's names wrong, forgetting the number of outs, etc. As Uecker has gotten old I've gotten used to expect this sort of thing, but Levering is like a third of his age.

 

I'll also be the guy that wishes for a little more... diversity, for lack of a better term, in the booth. Since Powell has left there's been a parade of seemingly indistinguishable white guys in the role. I imagine the talent pool for radio isn't great these days, and they're not exactly looking to draw criticism for their choices, but hopefully when Uecker moves on they're willing to take some chances and bring some flavor into the booth.

[tmwiese55]

I like the change ups and different voices, what's the saying 'variety is the spice of life'. IMO nobody they've put out there is bad. I'd probably rank Dillard last and Coshun 2nd to last, but neither is bad especially compared to listening to other teams on occasion. I actually think Lepay does a very good job and has been a smooth transition, good rapport with Rock. For the most part he just blends in and that's all you want. Huge step up from Coshun who used to be the fill in. Seems to me he's about as ideal of a #2 fill in you could ask for. Just remember, most teams can't even get one good guy, let alone two.

 

Generally like Sophia but she really needs to clean up the 'he said's. Just use some other similar phrases, and many times you don't need it all. I know it's just a filler phrase and everyone does it, so no bid deal. If you notice she never says 'umm or 'uhh' or 'ya know' like so many others do, but she uses this instead. It's better than those but she could clean it up very easily, especially since it seems most of her reads are completely written/scripted. Put in alternate phrases if you need to, I'm thinking of that old hockey announcer board with like 100 different ways to say 'passed the puck'

[PeaveyFury]

I think Levering is being groomed as Ueck's replacement eventually. Levering and Grindel make a decent radio team once you get used to the fact that neither of them are Bob Uecker.

 

I’ve been catching a lot more games on the radio this year, and I have to say that the road team really is quite good. Not often you have three good broadcasters in one radio market, but the Brewers really do on the radio.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I've listened enough that I know the difference in Levering and Grindel's voices. I like Grindel better... he just seems to have a good feel for the game and when to fill in with random stories about players and people and when not to. Levering isn't bad, and maybe he'll get better. And to be fair, we're used to Ueck with his excellent (and often repeated) stories. That's a high bar to clear.

[rickh150]

Glad he is around longer. He’s well above avg and has a good back and forth with Rock. I don’t like that he routinely complains about the length of games he’s calling, especially when his attendance to Brewers games is like a slack high school student.

[DuWayne Steurer]

He doesn't have to attend every game to have an opinion about the length of the games. Game length is an issue to a lot of people and Anderson has a right to comment on it.

[pacopete4]

He doesn't have to attend every game to have an opinion about the length of the games. Game length is an issue to a lot of people and Anderson has a right to comment on it.

Correct. The length of game is an issue. The time between pitches is nuts.

[NYChez]

The Brewers are blessed. Uecker, BA, Levering, Grindle, and Lepay would all be #1 guys in some other markets. The fact all of these guys want to be part of the Brewers is a credit to the franchise and the city.

[jerichoholicninja]

Was that Chris Singleton that worked the west coast trip? He was great. I'd love to hear him more often.