Comments on: Thorne Won’t Be Guarding Borders Anytime Soon

By: BamBam

BamBam — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:04:55 +0000

Awesome insight as usual Brooks. It cracks me up because it is so so true. Guys who scream a lot and have “the look” or just a supreme sense of overconfidence and self-worship do tend to make it to the bigs.

In my travels I have heard many incredible minor league play-by-play guys who never got a shot for some stupid reason or another. Usually it is because they actually call the game and don’t make the show about them.

Steve Klauke is a guy that calls Salt Lake Bees (AAA) games and has always done a splendid job. The game calls are right on and informative. The problem is that he is no self-promoting jackass, plus he looks a little bit like a troll.

I swear Brooks…. I would pay top dollar for a book on “How to succeed in sports broadcasting and journalism” if you were to write it. I am sure it would be hilarious and you’d take a no-holds barred approach to it. There are some possibilities there…. Ol’ Deadspin got himself a book deal. You can’t be far behind.

By: Brooks

Brooks — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 23:09:33 +0000

Thorne had a reputation of being clueless LONG before his major league days. But he’s a good looking guy who screams a lot, so it was just a matter of time before he made it to the Bigs.

And since fans actually listen to major league games, it was a matter of time before people started to notice his less-than-deft handling of the broadcast.

Another example:

http://sportsbybrooks.com/gary-thorne-has-painted-blood-on-sock-comments-about-curt-schilling-cut-out-of-rebroadcast-12662

By: BamBam

BamBam — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:20:12 +0000

Rick Sutcliffe taught me how to pitch. I saw him give a great demonstration on “Johnny Bench and the Baseball Bunch” as a kid. It was really good info. I ended up throwing a shutout in adult slowpitch, and I attribute it all to the mighty bearded one.

By: Tuffy

Tuffy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:59:58 +0000

Rick Sutcliffe would have solved that thing over there by lunchtime. Get well soon, Big Red.

By: BamBam

BamBam — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:54:26 +0000

I smell a feature story. ESPN “talent” takes Wonderlic. Network labeled “officially retarded.” Next on Sportscenter.

By: Tuffy

Tuffy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:42:23 +0000

I’m holding out for his Wonderlic results. I understand you can rank anyone with those things.

By: BamBam

BamBam — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:53:25 +0000

I’d be interested in hearing Brooks’ take on Gary Thorne as a broadcaster and person. I’m assuming he has much more insight into the guy than the rest of us.

I already know what I think of him, and it isn’t very nice.