Joe Buck Admits He Rarely Watches Sports And Doesn't Enjoy Baseball Anymore

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

I'm borderline furious this morning and not just because I have to mention Colin Cowherd. Joe Buck was on ESPN Radio this morning, and you can't make this stuff up, said he doesn't enjoy Baseball anymore and chooses to watch the Bachlorette over nightly Sports telecasts during the week.

The talk began with Cowherd complaining about Sports during the week and how the average Sports fan doesn't pay attention. He then brought Joe Buck on for the following conversation....



I'm just at a loss for words. FOX's national voice for Baseball openly admitted to not enjoying the game he covers, cramming for weekend matchups, thinking that the games are too long and that the game just isn't the same. Unbelievable. You're getting paid millions of dollars for watching a game three hours. Cry me a river! What's even worse than that was the fact that he was on for another 4 or 5 minutes talking about a Cubs-Red Sox World Series. Are you kidding me?!

Without going off my rocker I just want to point out that this is the reason why everyone is upset with a lot of broadcasters in Sports. You have the coolest damn job in the World in Sports Fans eyes, and while you're supposed to be serving as the voice of the fans, you act like you're above the game. This is the main reason why Joe Buck and his kind are probably the worst thing for Sports. Buck wants to be a Hollywood star and doesn't have time for the Sport that brought him to the dance. Well his father brought him to the dance in the family station wagon, but Baseball is ultimately who he's partying with. You get my point.

I completely understand the average American not watching Baseball during the week. You have kids, your job is demanding and you're just tired as hell. I get it and that's what the internet is for. But for a daily Sports talk show host and the voice of the World Series to bash Sports this way is just wrong and shows how much the game suffers when you continue to put them on air. It's your g'damn job to know what you're talking about. It's people like this that give the whole profession a bad name and make those who do their homework and bust their ass look bad by association.

There's always a disparity in the way I cover announcers on the site. One of the main things I say during radio and online interviews is that there's a HUGE difference between an announcer who makes a ton mistakes and one who makes mistakes while putting himself above the game. I'll take John Madden's insane ramblings any day because you know in the end he loves the Sport of Football and he's just crazed at the moment and can't put his thoughts together.

Joe Buck is the worst of the worst in my book and if he doesn't want to call Baseball anymore there are a million of people that would jump at the chance. Hurry up and give him a talk show FOX so I can completely tune him out.

84 Comments:

Agree with everything you say.

It amazes me that Buck is the #1 baseball play-by-play guy in America in terms of stature and openly says crap like this. And toiling away for local team broadcasts you have guys like Boog Sciambi and Len Kasper who are diehard students of the game and avid Baseball Prospectus subscribers. In the words of Mr. Buck, that's absolutely disgusting.

I obsess over the sport practically non-stop, and I'm a mere law student. Give me a job calling big league games on tv and radio and I'll give new meaning to "eat, sleep, and breathe baseball." I'll call the game while referencing 75 Firefox tabs opened up to Baseball-Reference, MLB.com, and Baseball Prospectus.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:28:00 PM  

Dang AA, you're getting killed over at Deadspin. Why don't you get going earlier on your little videos? While people here might not care if you don't post till 10, Deadspin readers are serious. Get your act together.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:28:00 PM  

Thanks for your concern Anon, but I don't post them myself. Also, I don't know when 7:14AM became 10AM here but okay.

Jul 2, 2008, 12:29:00 PM  

Yeah, I'm speechless, too.

At least he honestly mentioned some of the bigger problems: TV(!), guy's stepping out, etc.

thermal54 said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:33:00 PM  

Well said, AA. You hit a home run with this post.

I would much rather listen to a mistake-prone rambler (Gary Danielson comes to mind) who gets genuinely excited about the sport he covers (or, at the very least, excels at faking his enthusiasm), than a Joe-Buck-cookie-cutter-announcing-academy-student type any day of the week.

Do I care that he said he doesn't like baseball? No. I never assumed he did in the first place. Nothing he ever said made me think "this guy really loves the game." Of course, to actually come out and confirm it...disgusting.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:48:00 PM  

This reminds me of an interview I saw with Stu Scott or some Sportscenter anchor a few years back. They said people come up to them in bars all the time asking about soprts, but they know very little, as most of their "discussions" on the show are written for them, and they're merely figureheads. This was before blogs, so I never could vent about it, and there's no way to find that interview. It seems we as fans take these guys in the sports-media limelight as regular fans like us with awesome jobs, but they're really just prick journalism majors who happened into sports rather than news or some shit. It amkes you look at the entire industry differently.

And this is why blogs have exploded.

tecmo said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:49:00 PM  

What would you all have Joe Buck say? Everything is great! There's no need to change! This is exactly why I like Joe Buck. He speaks his mind. And his opinion is shared by many fans. I'd rather hear that than the person who thinks and says that everything is always great all the time.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:53:00 PM  

"And you know, on our Saturday day of the week, I think we have a voice, I think Tim and I bring something to the table . . . " - near the end of the audio

You know, even if Buck had made a single good point during his entire description of how he neglects to do his job properly, his final statement there would blow any authority he had straight out of the water. What an awful team they are, as obnoxious and so self-fulfilled, never shutting up, giving us Scooter . . . man I hate them both. Thanks for another reason to hate him.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:54:00 PM  

Okay now I know AA Hates ESPN is just making shit up to start stuff. And if not, come on dude open your eyes and get your head out of your ass.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:57:00 PM  

I agree with some of Joe Buck's ponts. He is right when he said that football has tken over as America's pastime from baseball and no one can deny that. Becaue football is a more exciting game than baseball, and it brings better ratings thtn basball. And in this new media agae football is more of an exciting product to watch.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 12:59:00 PM  

Ugh. Not a week goes by that I don't thank the baseball gods for the Giants' announcing crew, especially Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Jon Miller. (I could do without FP and Papa, but Dave Flemming is definitely holding his own, and I look forward to hearing him for decades to come). They make no attempt to hide their sheer joy and love of the game and their jobs. And it certainly doesn't hurt that they do a damn good job.

Prime example: Jon Miller is calling the 2002 NLCS, with Krukow doing color. Lofton knocks in the series-winning RBI, and you can clearly hear Krukow in the background burst out, "WE'RE GOING!" Unprofessional, sure, but that's the kind of guy I want describing my team's games to me.

troymccluresf said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:02:00 PM  

aa hates espn,

Did you even read the post or was that a canned rant you pasted in from a Word document? Nobody's complaining about ESPN on this entry, the complaint is with Joe Buck openly admitting he doesn't watch sports and doesn't like baseball. In case you weren't aware, Joe Buck works for Fox, not ESPN.

Basic reading comprehension skills will increase the likelihood that people take your comments seriously.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:03:00 PM  

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LF5wNeasqyU Come on guys, Joe Buck isn't all that bad, he can enjoy a Tall Boy in the back of a cab doing an internet TV show :D

Brian said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:08:00 PM  

AA,

You are right on about Buck in terms of he should be more into his job...I have no idea how a guy whode job it is to report on sports, doesn't watch much of it...But...

I listened to the interview three times and not once did I hear Buck say that he doesn't enjoy baseball. He complaind about the pace of the game, but he never said he didn't enjoy the game.

Be careful with your assumptions.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:11:00 PM  

Right now, the average length of time for an MLB game is around 2:50 (guess). 20 years ago, it was around 2:35-2:40 (someone has to have that information out there). So baseball has been ruined because games are less than 10% longer? C'mon.

15 games a night - that's just too much for a baseball fan to track. As opposed to the less taxing on the brain 13 games a night in the 80's.

I think the worst part of the piece was Buck trying to play the everyman card. The average fan in the 80's *would* see what Scully/Garagiola would say about their team, but the average guy had nowhere near the access he did 20 years ago. Nowadays, people can get so much more information, but he backs away. Step aside, Joe, please.

Doneycat said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:12:00 PM  

AA Hates ESPN forgot to keep his vow.
(Needs more random exclamation points, dude.)

I wonder where the gun in Joe Buck's back that forces him to do baseball games if they're uninteresting and time-consuming. If Joe Buck does games for the money and the legacy of Jack Buck (which he will never equal), he should get an Olbermann-esque show on Fox News and leave baseball permanently.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:17:00 PM  

Anon- I understand what you're saying but when someone says that a sport is too long, says he's a "realist" when he got switched off Baseball Playoffs for Football and says he doens't watch it during the week....comes across as not liking.

Nowhere in the interview did he say, "Don't get me wrong, I love the game of Baseball, buuuuuut......"

Jul 2, 2008, 1:18:00 PM  

If you don't like Joe Buck, that's fine. Make this post about how Joe Buck sucks. But to become "furious" and "be at a loss for words" because a play-by-play guy gives an opinion that is increasingly being shared by millions of others is a bit much. Essentially, Joe Buck said he doesn't watch sports during the week (the miserable cur!) and he thinks baseball should make some changes. And for that he gets called the "worst of the worst?" Even AA, who's known for hyperbole now and again, has to admit that's a bit much! At least we now have a new name for the Pammy awards I guess.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:22:00 PM  

I didn't hear the interview (mainly because I developed a tick from listening to Colin Cowherd on the radio), but enjoyed AA's rant nontheless. Really, is there anyone out there who loves the sound of his own voice more than Cowherd? As far as Buck's concerned, I appreciate the honesty. However, if JB really doesn't like sports all that much then perhaps it's time to exit gracefully. His call of RM's "disgusting act" on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field really says it all. It's obvious that Buck is living in a fantasy world and can't relate to today's athlete.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:30:00 PM  

This is nothing new. One of the most annoying things about sports announcers/writers/columnists etc is how many of them clearly HATE SPORTS and hate the athletes that they cover. It's really bad in the sports pages of many newspapers.

Hell, at least Olberman left ESPN when he admitted that he no longer loved sports and started hating the athletes themselves that he was having to cover.

Jay said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:39:00 PM  

This is coming from a MSMer "sort of" - Gasp I know! The gall! I was in sports TV for a number of years and after a while I got out of it. It was't fun anymore. I miss what you guys still have. You're not that close to the game so it's still enjoyable. When it becomes "your job" - as fun as it may sound, it becomes less fun. It's the sad truth. Try hauling cameras (as a one man band) and turning stories on deadline when a prick baseball player won't come out for 45 minutes after the game so you can get the key interview for your piece.

I don't think its right. But you do get jaded, you do get burned out. When I was a kid - I would watch sports anytime and everywhere. NBA game of the week, MNF... etc. It was so much fun.

Once I got in the biz - it became a chore. It really did - you had to watch it because you have to not because you wanted to. I can't explain what it is - but the part of you that's a fan dies a little bit.

I know a hundred of you guys will rip me to shreds - "how did you not like covering sports?"

It wasn't that - when it became a job it became less fun.

Now I work as a financial consultant - not nearly as exciting... but here's the thing... I can watch sports again. Not being immersed into it day to day. I can sit back and enjoy it. I like to watch sports again, not because I have to but because I want to.

In the last five years - I've become a fan again. I've thought about getting back in the biz - but would rather not. I enjoy my weekends with the wife and kids... and I don't want to turn into the sports hating cynic I was before.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:40:00 PM  

I don't see anything wrong about what Buck said. He's being realistic. The context of this whole conversation was that average Tom, Dick and Harry don't watch sports like they used to. Who said that Buck has to saturate himself with sports everyday because he works just one day a week. He does his prep work and that's evident because of how he deseminates the information on a broadcast. And just becauses he does a Yankees/Red Sox game doesn't mean that all he'll talk about is Yankees/Red Sox. He'll throw out other players doing good to great things on other clubs too. And both Colin and Buck are right in the sense that football has overtaken baseball as the American Pastime and I think that happened many, many years ago.

Mikey said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:42:00 PM  

I don't see anything wrong about what Buck said. He's being realistic. The context of this whole conversation was that average Tom, Dick and Harry don't watch sports like they used to. Who said that Buck has to saturate himself with sports everyday because he works just one day a week. He does his prep work and that's evident because of how he deseminates the information on a broadcast. And just becauses he does a Yankees/Red Sox game doesn't mean that all he'll talk about is Yankees/Red Sox. He'll throw out other players doing good to great things on other clubs too. And both Colin and Buck are right in the sense that football has overtaken baseball as the American Pastime and I think that happened many, many years ago.

Mikey said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:43:00 PM  

you've got a long way to go to be as good as your father.

/knight'd

-dan

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:50:00 PM  

You all sound like morons. So what if JB doesn't watch sports all week? Why should the fact that he watches The Bachelor instead of a Rays-Marlins game mean anything to you? I'm sorry, but you all have to get a life. (And you look like an imbecile when you capitalize Sports, Baseball, etc. Maybe you should invest in the AP style book?)

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 1:56:00 PM  

I have always despised Joe Buck for his smug aloofness and now I have even more reason. I went from 'dislike' to 'hate' when he got all riled up at Randy Moss fake mooning the fans, I don't know what this moves up to now. Well, I said despise, I guess that might be more than hate. Whatever. Get this loser off the air. I have never met anyone, or read anything from anyone, who actually said they enjoy listening to Joe Buck. Why is he on TV if nobody likes him? I would like Fox TV to answer that question.

Ferro94 said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:24:00 PM  

I forgot to mention - I agree with your John Madden comment - I would listen to Ron Santo forget where he is and what he's doing every inning because of his true passion for Cubs baseball and his first person history that he can draw on.

Ferro94 said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:26:00 PM  

I stand corrected - aahatesespn above actually likes Joe Buck. Ok that's 1.

Ferro94 said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:28:00 PM  

Joe Fuck, Kevin "Fake Enthusiasm, Marv Albert on Crack" Harlan, Kenny " daddy got me this job" Albert all suck. I'm a White Soz fan, but a bad Len Kasper game is better than anything these posers can come up with!

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:36:00 PM  

Look, millions of Americans hate their jobs and they slog through for a paycheck day to day - why should Joe Buck be any different?

Here's the thing that bugs me more than anything else about Joe Buck - he's the privileged, smarmy little rich kid who doesn't want to run daddy's business anymore. He doesn't have any particularly unique talent - he's got a last name. Daddy's business made him rich, famous and opened doors that he never worked to open himself - and here he is, bitching about the business that made him.

It is just an extraordinary lack of self-awareness on display that the regular Joe schmo - jealous of his job in sports or not - should be disgusted with.

Unknown said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:45:00 PM  

Agreed, As a Phillies Fan, I would much rather listen to Harry Kalas, Chris Wheeler (even with his giggling) and Gary Matthews (even though he will shout YES! whenever a walk-off or exciting play occurs) every night than Buck.

Kalas has been doing it for 30+ years, and he truly loves the game. It will be a sad day when he retires. He is amazing to listen to.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:45:00 PM  

Seems like much ado about nothing other than wanting to blast away at Joe Buck.

Yes, we get it you don't like him.

We also get that you would do much more prep work if you were in his position and never, ever get tired of a sport that's been overrun by steroids, bad financial planning and surly, petulant players.

God knows why Buck would prefer the NFL... Maybe he should quit, but he does have bosses. If they think he's doing that bad of a job, they should remove him.

It sounds like your problem is with Fox's sports department and not Joe Buck.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:48:00 PM  

"Look, millions of Americans hate their jobs and they slog through for a paycheck day to day - why should Joe Buck be any different?

Here's the thing that bugs me more than anything else about Joe Buck - he's the privileged, smarmy little rich kid who doesn't want to run daddy's business anymore. He doesn't have any particularly unique talent - he's got a last name. Daddy's business made him rich, famous and opened doors that he never worked to open himself - and here he is, bitching about the business that made him.

It is just an extraordinary lack of self-awareness on display that the regular Joe schmo - jealous of his job in sports or not - should be disgusted with.

Well said, sir.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 2:53:00 PM  

The reason I capitalize "Sport" and "Baseball" is because they should be. Outside of family and friends Sports is the most important thing in my life. This is my job and yes it gets tired and boring when I'm searching for stories that you know are just filler, but in the end I owe everything to them. I'm lucky as hell to be where I'm at. I got into College because of Sports, graduated with a degree in regards to them, and have worked in and around them for the most of my post graduate life.

They're a diversion but at the same time a way of life. You talk to someone who knows about them differently than someone who doesn't. That's why Buck's comments are insulting on so many levels to true Sports fans. I'm not going to tell you how to feel, but if you don't get upset by that...then I feel sorry for you.

P.S.- AA Hates ESPN, you are such a joke it's beyond words. I'd tell you to stop reading but I know you won't, so keep making up stuff and reposting different versions under the "Anon" tag. I'll still be here.

Jul 2, 2008, 2:55:00 PM  

"They're a diversion but at the same time a way of life. You talk to someone who knows about them differently than someone who doesn't. That's why Buck's comments are insulting on so many levels to true Sports fans. I'm not going to tell you how to feel, but if you don't get upset by that...then I feel sorry for you."

I'm sorry, but in no way did that improve your argument. None whatsoever. You are mad Buck doesn't share the same joy you would if you were in his position. Nothing more.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 3:21:00 PM  

Being a journalist and sports radio guy that used to work in TV...I totaly get what Joe is saying.
To you, the fan, it looks 'cool to be on TV' and whatnot. But IT'S A JOB! You are saying you love YOUR job all the time?
Sheesh, I cover high school sports for a living now and I get sick of it after a while...and I used to have to cover the Detroit Lions. You don't think I dreaded the drive to Detroit some Sundays? Get a grip!
It's easy to say, 'Look at how easy his job is...' til you try it.
Would I like Joe's job? Sure, the money would be nice...but to be bitched about like that? No thanks.

By the way AA - great site, love to check it out. And I don't know if this is your first job, or a great second career...but you do a hell of a job and I love to read your stuff. I just think you're off on this topic.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 3:27:00 PM  

since when do you have to like your job? "rrrraaarrrgh, you're the president of the US and you don't like your job, you're so pathetic and you only think of yourself grrrr"

you are really annoying and preachy all the goddamn time. i used to read this blog, but your stupid commentary is the reason i don't read it anymore (linked here from deadspin obv)

Bumbler said...
Jul 2, 2008, 3:42:00 PM  

I think you guys are missing the point again. This isn't about whether you like Baseball or not, or even how slow of a game it is. Sure everyone hates their job and no life is perfect, but Buck is getting paid millions of dollars and comes across like he's not trying.

He's not covering Detroit Highschool Sports, no offense Anon, were talking about the MLB All Star Game and the World Series folks. If you like Baseball do you want someone who doesn't care about the Sport?

Hi CZ! Missed you. XOXO.

Jul 2, 2008, 3:47:00 PM  

cz,
Please don't agree with me. Now, aa is going to think I wrote your post, too. AA, it's hilarious to see you get mad with people who don't share your opinion. You're trying to create controversy when there's just nothing there. Maybe you should concentrate more on nut shots than social commentary.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 3:55:00 PM  

AA Hates ESPN = Joe D

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 4:08:00 PM  

To use a baseball analogy that Joe Buck might have once understood - he was born on third base and thought he hit a triple. (The late Ann Richards used it about Bush 41 at the '88 convention, but I digress.) Joe Buck is where he is because of his father. He is nowhere the baseball announcer his father was. He wants to be the smarmy coolest guy in the room and one of the hip-wahzie. He's one of the major douchebags in sports broadcasting of this or any era.

Tom Hughes said...
Jul 2, 2008, 4:11:00 PM  

"i used to read this blog, but your stupid commentary is the reason i don't read it anymore"

It's always funny to see the "I'm never reading your crap ever again!!!" comments, but this beats all I've ever seen: a comment on the blog saying that "I don't read your blog". Not quite sure how that's possible.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 4:12:00 PM  

Great post.

I've personally thought he felt this way for the past few years being forced listening to him, but for him to come out and admit it...well, I guess you can give it to him for having the balls to do it. But no one ever said that having big ol' balls means you're automatically cool.

I sincerely hope MLB "strongly suggests" to Fox that they should find someone else to call the World Series. What a joke.

GA Hill said...
Jul 2, 2008, 4:17:00 PM  

If Costas wasn't busy this summer with the Olympics in Beijing, I would suggest that he replace Buck PRONTO.

I have had enough of this legacy announcer.

Josh

JMNOR55 said...
Jul 2, 2008, 4:56:00 PM  

Joe Buck just slapped the face of every young, local baseball broadcaster that would give anything to have his job. And yet, here is Joe Buck, appearently not even caring. Wow.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 5:22:00 PM  

Hey Joe, if you don't want your job, I'll be more than happy to take the horrible burden of getting paid millions to watch sports off your hands. It sounds a lot better than my current occupation - poor, starving grad student (who LOVES watching sports for FREE and even paying to go to the ballpark a dozen times a year).

what's FOX's address, i think i should send in my resume.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 5:36:00 PM  

I think Buck is sincere about baseball and not liking it. He never got along with Mike Shannon, and that's one of the reasons he quit doing Cardinal games.

That said, FOX needs a new lead PBP for MLB, and not Thom Brennaman or Kenny Albert; hell, I'd take Dick Stockton over either one of them, and he's 206 years old.

Steve Steffens said...
Jul 2, 2008, 6:45:00 PM  

Frankly, I think the drudgery of calling five-hour Yankees-Red Sox games every year -- and having to listen to McCarver blab ad infinitum ad nauseum -- has taken its toll on Buck.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 7:28:00 PM  

As a guy who does high school play by play and spent the better part of a season being a public address guy for a minor league baseball team, I feel compelled to offer my two cents.

While I semi-understand why Buck is tired of baseball, it's something that should never be made public. All that does is ruin what credibility he had.

As was mentioned above, the comments are a smack in the face to me and hundreds, if not thousands of low-level local sportscasters who would give their left testicle to be where he is. There's plenty of work involved with broadcasting, more than most casual site visitors could ever imagine. That said, if you're getting paid millions to be the lead voice of your network, you sort of have to grin and bear it.

It's one thing to be Bob Costas and make your thoughts and feelings known about the sport when you're a baseball purist who isn't actively calling a slate of games. It's another when you're Joe Buck and, like it or not, actively associated with the World Series on FOX. It's a cautionary tale of biting the hand that feeds you.

When Joe first called baseball on FOX in 1996, I thought he was a solid announcer with a bright future. Now, 12 years later he's phoning it in. There are plenty of us in the business who could do as good a job or better and not bite the hand that feeds us.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 7:34:00 PM  

Reading comprehension is pathetic isn't it? AA isn't talking about baseball or Buck's view on it, he's talking about how shitty Buck's attitude is to his JOB. Sports media is so pathetic, you wonder what took so long for sites like these to pop up and finally call them out on their bullshit. Why do you think Bill Simmons threw a hissy fit and threatened to quit? He wasn't allowed the freedom to rip on shitty ESPN announcers. People love to hate guys like Gus Johnson and Kevin Harlan for being overly enthusiastic. I will take someone who cares a little too much about their job rather than not caring at all.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 7:45:00 PM  

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Howard Cosell spend a fair portion of his Monday Night Football broadcasts complaining about how boring the game was, how he didn't much care for it?

At least Buck didn't say it during the game.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 8:17:00 PM  

I like Collin Coherd. He is interesting, he knows what he is talking about. A lot of people are very busy these days. Keep up the good work Collin!

henryliang said...
Jul 2, 2008, 9:05:00 PM  

aa hates espn may actually be Joe Buck.



Sorry, but what else were you expecting from Buck? Listen to how he calls games, it sounds like he would rather watch The Bachelorette.



And as far as Deadspin, they have some of the most retarded commenters on this site........

TJX said...
Jul 2, 2008, 9:22:00 PM  

If he actually talked for five minutes about a Cubs-Red Sox World Series, I hope to hell he ends up having to call a Rays-Phillies or D'backs-White Sox WS -- teams outside Fox and ESPN's "chosen four" (Cubs/Yanks/Bosox/Mets), teams casual fans don't give a damn about, teams with low "Q" ratings. It would serve him right.

VP81955 said...
Jul 2, 2008, 10:01:00 PM  

Also, it's not like this is some stunning revelation. I wish I could find it out there in the tubes, but HBO's Real Sports did a profile of Buck a number of years ago and the final question - "what advice would you give to young announcers out there?" was answered with "Have a famous father."

This douchenozzlery is nothing new from JoeBu.

Unknown said...
Jul 2, 2008, 10:20:00 PM  

aa hates espn may actually be Joe Buck.

There are other theories floating around, ssreporters.

/The last time I link to that, I swear.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 10:39:00 PM  

Interestingly, Joe Buck is at the Cardinals-Mets game on a Wednesday night in St. Louis. Even waited through the rain delay. Isn't the Bachelorette on, too? Must not hate it that much.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 10:54:00 PM  

The sooner we get this guy off the air the better. Can't stand his commentary and smugness. After reading this I get an idea why, because the guy doesn't care about it and it shows.

Anonymous said...
Jul 2, 2008, 11:26:00 PM  

Brilliant post AA. Lets start the "get rid of Joe Buck and every other idiot sports announcer petition." I'll lead it.

Brett said...
Jul 3, 2008, 1:49:00 AM  

What's wrong with not wanting to work when you go home at night? No matter how he got there, it's his job and he can choose to act as he pleases. People are reacting as if their Rabbi told them that they're only Jewish for their day job...Joe Buck is certainly listenable to. I'd rather have an announcer on his side, instead of someone like Al Hrabosky who rambles incoherently...or whoever was calling the Cards ESPN game this weekend and spent an inning completely ignoring the game.

Josh said...
Jul 3, 2008, 5:32:00 AM  

Lots of people hate their jobs. Who cares?

Anonymous said...
Jul 3, 2008, 7:46:00 AM  

well im a mets and giants (football) fan, and i hate how whenever any NY team is on Fox, Joe Buck just trashes them. i remember when the Mets were playing the Dodgers on fox, and they were down 2-0 in the 8th. buck said theyre not coming back. then, beltran hit a 2 run shot, and delgado scored later in the inning to win 3-2. he also hates the giants 4 beating the patriots

Anonymous said...
Jul 3, 2008, 11:05:00 AM  

There's a pretty good reason those millions of people who want Joe Buck's job don't have it -- they suck and Joe doesn't.

Do you really think FOX wouldn't replace Buck if it had someone more capable? Heck, that person would probably be cheaper too, wouldn't he?

So we have two options:

1) There's a vast conspiracy to keep Joe Buck on the air at FOX despite his being completely incompetent; or

2) Joe Buck's pretty good and pretty well-liked, and you're way off base.

I'll let you choose which option is the more credible.

The reason I capitalize "Sport" and "Baseball" is because they should be. Outside of family and friends Sports is the most important thing in my life.

And yet you say family and friends are more important than sports, but you don't capitalize them. And concerning the name of "The Bachelorette", you fail to set it off in quotes or even capitalize it properly.

If you want to be taken seriously, try putting a little more effort in your basics.

Unknown said...
Jul 3, 2008, 2:17:00 PM  

Wayne, FOX still lets Dick Stockton do baseball and football, how are you going to expect them to know what to do with their other announcers?

TJX said...
Jul 3, 2008, 10:04:00 PM  

Likewise with Chip Karay.

Anonymous said...
Jul 4, 2008, 12:30:00 AM  

To those of you who want Joe Buck out, how many of you eat, sleep, and breathe your job? If this doesn't apply to you, then SHUT UP and stop being such hypocrites.

I'm sorry, but this was a downright horrible article.

Anonymous said...
Jul 4, 2008, 10:43:00 AM  

what a bucking fraud.

weeknight baseball has become unwatchable, but somehow saturday afternoon baseball is the cat's meow?

I can't remember that last time I sat down for a saturday afternoon Fox game, its a mess.

The summer me and my roommates had the MLB package was a great one, there was always something to watch when we got home from work...except saturday afternoons when Fox had the only games on TV. Saturday afternoons sucked.

Anonymous said...
Jul 5, 2008, 5:29:00 PM  

Mr. Buck does act like he's above the game. I wish they would take him off footballs. I find him rather annoying. Boo hoo works so hard I get to watch people play a game all day.

Anonymous said...
Jul 9, 2008, 10:54:00 AM  

Joe Buck is horrendous, but even with his high opinion of himself, he'd have to squeeze into any room that contains Al Michaels and his colossal ego. Michaels is so full of himself, for years he has been the king of behaving as if he is bigger than what he is covering. I've always hated him on Monday and Sunday night football -- he shows zero enthusiasm for the game, and seems more concerned with being upstaged by his color men. With Madden he tries to act insightful. With Dennis Miller he tried to be funny. With Boomer Esiason, Michaels somehow felt threatened, so he had Esiason forced out.

Why do people kiss Michaels' ass? For more than 28 years he's been riding a gravy train based on one just-OK call -- "do you believe in miracles?" Now in hindsight, the biggest miracle has been the degree of success this guy has enjoyed.

Anonymous said...
Jul 21, 2008, 4:46:00 PM  

boner

Anonymous said...
Jul 24, 2008, 9:02:00 PM  

I would love it if both Joe Buck and Tim McCarver were to never call another game of baseball again. They both come off as dumb, pompous a-holes, and the game would be exponentially greater w/out them.

Unknown said...
Oct 6, 2008, 10:36:00 PM  

Joe Buck is an A$$, someone outta shove a bat in his big mouth. The only bigger loser announcer is Tim McCarver, thank god my TV has a mute button.

Anonymous said...
Oct 22, 2008, 11:11:00 PM  

Unfortunately, Buck and McCarver will be Fox's #1 voice unless either of them get a DUI or something terrible like that. TBS is not much of an improvement.

JMNOR55 said...
Oct 22, 2008, 11:20:00 PM  

As a long time baseball fan going back to the early 1960s, and a long time Cardinals fan - and a 28 year member of the Society of American Baseball Research - it is my opinion that Joe Buck is one of the worst announcers in the history of sports and the worst TV baseball announcer ever. He just doesn't understand the game, has no feel for it, and his attitude towards baseball is just terrible. He thinks almost every pitch is a strike because he wants it to be a strike so he can get out of that booth as soon as possible. Buck was relieved when the All-Star game ended in a tie a few years ago and even chastised the booing fans saying he couldn't understand it and had no idea why they were booing. The sad thing is, Joe was telling the truth, he truly does have no clue. Nepotism can be a horrible thing when the apply falls FAR from the tree. If he had been born Joe Smith, he'd be picking up your garbage each week, instead of spewing garbage over the airwaves.

Anonymous said...
Oct 23, 2008, 9:53:00 PM  

Joe Buck is the dumbest most girly announcer I have ever seen in my life. His voice sounds like an eight year girl.

People like this guy because hes indicative of the average american. Ugly, dumb, high voice, subordinate.

People bash guys like Jim Lampley, Al michaels, keith olbermann, etc because they are jealous of them. Lampley is a good looking, smart, chaming guy, olbermann is a smart guy, michaels has a great voice.

Buck is ugly, dumb, femenine, and people love him.

Go figure. LOL

Anonymous said...
Dec 9, 2008, 10:50:00 PM  

You can't be serious about Olbermann. He is a pompous eastern announcer who wants to be taken seriously as a journalist and his moronic show, Countdown is a tool of Democratic propaganda.

JMNOR55 said...
Dec 10, 2008, 12:24:00 PM  

Say what you will about Howard Cosell-at least he loved sports as far as I know. Joe Buck is the worst sportscaster ever, and he is Fox Sporst main guy-that's tragic. Dick Stockton is much better-a real pro,Joe Buck is just a clueless dweeb-he doesn't know much and just annoys people. I hated him form the start.

Anonymous said...
Dec 30, 2008, 5:40:00 PM  

AA- Let me just say the problem is not with Joe's lack of enthusiasm for announcing. I think our frustrations are with Fox. Hating him for trying to do a job is just plain silly. But it hit home with all of us in the Tampa Bay area this year. Our local TV baseball people are "baseball people". So much so that our "Joe" was given the opportunity to work for the new MLB network. If you happen to have a job where millions of people are listening to you, you have a certain responsibility to give them what they deserve. Announcers are part of the entertaining factor. This IS a game remember. It's no different that going to the movies, or watching pro wrestling. I don't care if you hate your job or not. Just DO your job. The local TV men work their 162 games, and are just as excited in April as they are in September. I want to get my point accross to the network. Let's figure out a way to let Fox know how we feel.

Cool breeze said...
Jan 12, 2009, 9:53:00 AM  

+1

HeirToKetwerp said...
Jan 24, 2009, 1:07:00 AM  

You bring up an interesting points about Joe Buck. I am from St. Louis and so a bit partial to Joe Buck, but more particularly his father.

I think that what he was saying is that he simply doesn't have the time to watch baseball all night every night.

I wasn't too big of a fan of Joe's but when I saw him featured on 60 minutes several years ago, he seemed genuinely grateful to be in his spot and acknowledged his nepotism in getting there.

Being a sportscaster would be a truly spectacular job. Probably, he shouldn't acknowledge that he doesn't watch sports during the week because it does certainly rub people the wrong way.

--Richard

PS: Plus, he plays golf ALL THE TIME...I just hit balls next to him a few weeks ago at his club and he can definitely play!

Live Your Way said...
Sep 23, 2009, 12:01:00 PM  

Honestly, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver can go fuck themselves, they are the worst announcers I have ever heard. Watching this world series is literally, painful. I have been extremely tempted to just mute the television.

Unknown said...
Oct 31, 2009, 6:41:00 PM  

this is so painful. hopefully last game of the series and my tv is muted because i cannot stand listening to these two completely biased clowns calling the game. they have nothing good to say about the yankees. one more reason to end the series tonight --- i won't have to listen to them for another year !!! fox -- get rid of these two idiots.

tewksy said...
Nov 4, 2009, 10:38:00 PM  

For a long time, I was a Joe Buck fan especially on baseball, however I noticed since 2007 that he enthusiasm for calling MLB games is gone. This interview with Colin probably clinched it. If any of you argue with me, consider the differences between him calling games in 1996 to today. Watch any DVD of the Yankees in '96 and you hear a youthful enthusiasm in Buck's voice. If you also notice, Buck has also surrendered his role as the Cardinals PxP voice, which is a shame considering hi lineage. Many of us criticize Chip Caray on TBS, but at least he shows enthusiasm for the game of Baseball. At this point, I think Buck and McCarver should be replaced on Fox. Many of you may agree with me that Thom Brennaman should replace Buck. Here's a guy who is the Reds PxP man and cares about Baseball. He has patiently waited his turn as the #2 man at Fox since 1996. As for replacing McCarver, I am having a tough time finding a replacement for him. If anyone has any suggestions, please post it here.

Anonymous said...
Nov 6, 2009, 3:05:00 PM  

I'm watchingJB Live 12/9 with Brian Urlacher & Brian Westbrook..I don't care wtf they're talking about..it just looks lame..JB's jeans too high & shoes too polished..hair..come on! BW got camel toe cuz so back in chair..BU..why am I here!..SUCKS!

Unknown said...
Dec 9, 2009, 5:08:00 AM  

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