Comments on: Tim McCarver needs “minor” heart procedure, Terry Francona to fill in for early ALCS games

By: sparkycon

sparkycon — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:28:44 +0000

Terry Francona came to speak at the kickoff banquet for University of Virginia Baseball three or so years back, and i was blown away at how great of a speaker he was. I too do not wish McCarver any ill will but i hate him as an analyst. Francona will be a huge step up! (and for the record, i am a die hard Yankee fan)

By: montaukcharlie

montaukcharlie — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:40:42 +0000

So it took an “act of God” to get rid of Mr. McCarver. Hopefully, he is not in as much pain as he has caused us over all of these years! Thank goodness for the mute button.

By: grouchomarx4

grouchomarx4 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:07:42 +0000

They are calling Terry “Tito” now as a nickname. I remember his father with the Indians amongst other clubs. Pretty good player.

By: 1historian

1historian — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:11:40 +0000

TERRY Francona is the recently fired manager of the Red Sox.

His father is TITO Francona, former MLB player.

By: mj888

mj888 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:56:21 +0000

Get rid of Tim (I Hate The Yankees) McCarver for good please. He is the most condescending sports broadcaster that I know of. His hatred for the Yankees simply SPILLS out of him. Even when he is announcing an NL West game between the Dodgers and Giants, he can’t help himself but say something to bash the Yankees.

By: sportsdrenched.com

sportsdrenched.com — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:29:34 +0000

I agree, ESPN radio production on MLB whether it’s Boog Schiambi or Shulman is 1st class.

By: jwbiii

jwbiii — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:13:01 +0000

Agree with you about Bob Brenly, but he’s an NL guy. How about Steve Stone?

By: henryd3rd

henryd3rd — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:58:08 +0000

McCarver’s best days as a broadcaster are behind him. There have been times when I watch the Fox broadcast I turn off the sound and turn on the radio. God I miss Jack Buck and Ernie Harwell. They just painted a word picture and kept their personal opinions to themselves.

By: sneschalmers

sneschalmers — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:56:26 +0000

“That surgeon is using his scalpel like a knife!”

But in all seriousness, I wish him well.

By: 3kittymama

3kittymama — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:44:40 +0000

I agree 100%. He’s always been a low-key, classy individual, and I predict he’ll stay that way, no matter what team he signs with. Or not.

By: bigharold

bigharold — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:36:56 +0000

I’d doubt he’ll be back this season. Look at it this way, when they say “… because Tim McCarver is undergoing a “minor” heart procedure.”, that’s pretty vague. As far as I know a “minor” heart procedure is somebody else’ heart procedure.

It appears the playoffs will be much quieter.

By: 18thstreet

18thstreet — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:31:06 +0000

Okay, so I’m a Red Sox fan whose opinion should be ignored for that reason alone but … I think Tito’s going to be great at this.

By: stjamesgate

stjamesgate — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:21:46 +0000

So we are concerned that “first-timer” Francona will be more “awkward” than McCarver, with all that experience. I might even turn the sound bad k on for a Fox game.

By: foreverchipper10

foreverchipper10 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:08:16 +0000

I know it happens all the time but I can’t believe any type of heart surgery is minor.

By: phillyphever

phillyphever — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:59:28 +0000

I wish McCarver well, but I hope. Terry Wally Pipp’s him for at least this playoffs.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:59:14 +0000

I liked Brenly until he called TLR “skipper” and then agreed with him about the umpire instead of calling out for being the whiny a-hole that he is.

By: aceshigh11

aceshigh11 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:49:20 +0000

Wait…this means he’ll be calling the full games with Joe Buck?

I love Tito, but that’s a very specific skill set…not sure if everyone is cut out for calling 9-inning games out of the blue.

However…that’s never stopped Tim McCarver before. ZING!

Seriously, though…good luck to Francona, and best wishes to McCarver.

By: Alex K

Alex K — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:49:04 +0000

Bob Brenly is awesome. I wish they would give him the gig.

By: sdelmonte

sdelmonte — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:47:47 +0000

It’s a bit odd to have a rookie broadcaster who’s never worked with the play by play man starting out in the playoffs. Clearly, celebrity is prized over proven skill.

As usual, I will be happy to stick with the radio. ESPN has brought Dan Shulman back from the TV side, and is using him as well Sunday night radio regular John Chiambi and even Mets play by play star Gary Cohen.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:46:54 +0000

I agree with this. It’s very awkward to listen to a first-timer early in the season…this is going to be his first time and it will be during the freaking ALCS??? Couldn’t they bring in Susyn “Oh, my good goodness gracious!” Waldman??

By: 4d3fect

4d3fect — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:36:51 +0000

I don’t wish McCarver ill, but can the guys in the OR just tie him down for a few weeks? Say until just after the last game of the WS?

By: kopy

kopy — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:33:01 +0000

I really don’t have a personal opinion of Francona, but what would be wrong with getting a color commentator from a MLB team (probably one that doesn’t work for an ALCS team) to fill in? I’d rather listen to an experienced broadcaster than somebody with an important baseball title.

By: pisano

pisano — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:23:28 +0000

Francona is a good manager and a class guy, he won’t have any trouble hooking on with another team. Good luck to him.

By: lardin

lardin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:43:03 +0000

As great as it would be to have Joe Buck press Francona about the Sox situation, I dont think its appropriate topic to discuss during a Playoff game. Once the first pitch is thrown the story is about the game unfolding on the field, not what happened at Fenway park a week ago. I also think Francona has way to much class to discuss it during the game. If Buck wants to ask him about that stuff before or after the game, go ahead. Its fair game. But during the game, the game should be the story.