Talking Sports: Calling it

My father was always very opinionated about NFL coaches and sports broadcasters. I don’t know whether it’s becasue of him or not, but I find I’m pretty much the same way. Or maybe every sports fan is that way.

Fans around here are blessed with seasoned broadcasters. Of course, I am usually sharing the same space with the KSID team. I never get the opportunity to hear them over the air--and let’s face it, the microphone and the radio lend an appealing sound to the voices that call each game.

Some people just prefer one voice over another.

I saw on the Yahoo page the other day a story about how some present day NFL broadcasters were rated by some system. I only skimmed through it.

Actually, it was a system that rated broadcasters on who was the “least bad.” They used various criteria that didn’t mean much to me.

Anyway, this system to determine the least bad broadcasters came up with Joe Buck. Some friends of mine back east absolutely hate Joe Buck and can’t help but comment negatively on every call he makes. I guess they haven’t read this study.

Fact is, I didn’t absorb much of what I read about this study. It didn’t make much sense to me. I don’t think you can quantify a good or bad broadcaster like you could the competence of a referee. As far as broadcasters are concerned, you either like them or you don’t or--even worse, perhaps--you’re neutral. It’s stricly a matter of personal opinion. As for Buck, he never struck many chords with me, good or bad.

The whole thing just made me think of my Dad. I remember how much he liked Pat Summerall, didn’t like Curt Gowdy, hated Alex Karas and Tom Brookshier but loved John Madden as a coach and a broadcaster. It also made me realize there is nobody today or perhaps ever that was as interesting and unique as Howard Cosell.

Probably the most memorable boradcasters from my youth are Marv Albert and Cosell. There’s a younger person in our office here who’s never heard of Cosell.

My father wasn’t a big fan of Cosell, but I was. For me, he defined for my generation our love of sports on TV. He was of that era and no other. Kind of like Evel Knievel partly defined the 70s sports cultutre and no other.

They’re not spoken about much today, but they’ll always be a part of the story.

As for Albert, I just remember having the radio under the covers listening to New York Rangers hockey games as a kid. He made hockey so exciting that his calls are part of what made me a lifelong fan. “Oh and a spectacular glove save by Giacomin - and he holds on!”

Of course Albert is still around and is no longer just a local New York broadcaster. He’s also no Howard Cosell. He’s national now and doesn’t call Rangers or Knicks games anymore. His son does. He’s not as good.

For anyone my age who loved sports, Cosell was someone you loved or hated. He was more than a broadcaster.

He was a personality as large or larger than the events he covered. Some may say that’s bad, but I was entertained by him. And after all, sports is about entertainment.

Cosell was absolutely unique. He was outspoken to a fault, controversially blunt. And that voice, that style, that cadence - completely one of a kind.

Cosell was used by Woody Allen in his comedy films “Bananas” and “Sleeper.” In “Bananas” he played himself. Cosell interviewed a dying El Presidente after being assasinated on the Capitol steps. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that movie but it was funny and Cosell played his part like a pro.

Later, Allen and Louise Lasser were grilled by Cosell after having a bedroom encounter. He questioned them as to their performance as he would have an NFL running back. Funny, funny stuff.

Of course Cosell will be forever linked with Muhammad Ali. More than broadcaster and athlete, the pair were at times a comedy duo, with Cosell playing the straight man to Ali’s quick wit. Cosell--a bright and well educated graduate of New York University Law School teamed with Ali--a graduate of the Louisville, Ky underclass.

Cosell: You seem awfully truculent today Champ.

Ali: I don’t know what truculent means, but if it’s good it’s me.

Cosell also made a guest appearance on the 70s situation comedy show “The Odd Couple.” He had a variety show too as I recall.

In 1980 it was on Monday NIght Football that Cosell broke the news to much of America that John Lennon had been shot. He handled it brilliantly and only as Cosell could.

In 1979 my Dad was handed tickets to a luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. I don’t recall the occasion, but the New York Rangers were the guests of honor with Cosell as the keynote speaker. Though not much associated with hockey, Cosell was great and as entertaining as ever with his voice inflections and nasal style.

Afterwards, when I went up with my brother to get the autographs of Phil Esposito and the other Rangers, Cosell was there. He was yapping and signing away for his fans. He remained there until everyone who wanted his autograph got it. Cosell signed for us, too, even though my brother kept on laughing as he pointed at the broadcaster’s head.

As my brother kept poking me he was whispering, “Hey look he’s got a rug.”

Well, there you have it. People loved him and hated him. Celebrated his style or derided his head covering.

I don’t know that any study could quantify the relative merits or shortcomings of any broadcaster - especially a bigger than life type like Howard Cosell.