Mets Announcer Tournament Championship: Bob Murphy vs. Gary Cohen

Thanks for the memories

I think most of what inclines us toward Murphy is sentiment, though, due to his long tenure, his presence at so many defining Met moments, and his pleasant personality, sense of humor, and all-around likeability rather than any really special skill or insight.

So I am voting for Cohen, who I think is simply a better play-by-play game-caller and a smarter in-the-moment analyst than anyone else working in baseball. He is so much smarter, so much more literate, and most of all so much quicker than any other baseball broadcaster I have ever heard that it’s nothing short of criminal that the world doesn’t get to hear more of him. And for my money, he still belongs on radio, where his talent for rich, analytical play-by-play description shines so much brighter, rather than on TV, where he (criminally) is allowed to remain silent for long stretches while his partners ramble.

Gary Cohen is the best announcer in baseball. There, I’ve said it.

However, I think I liked him a lot more on the radio. His gift was that he was able to tell a full story, and make a listener feel like he or she is at the ballpark. On TV, its impossible to really appreciate Murph’s voice, because you are more focused on the action. Plus, on tv, the play-by-play guy has to be much less descriptive. If it was a radio broadcasting tournament, Murph wins hands down.

For Gary, what does it for me is that you can tell just how big of a Mets fan is, just by listening. He makes it seem like anyone of us on this board could call Mets games for a living. Though we don’t consider this, the broadcasting team surrounding Gary make him a lot better (not that he was bad). Thats why as a TV broadcaster, Gary is better.

I really love Gary Cohen. I can’t imagine watching a Mets broadcast anymore without him. But, I voted Murphy. The man is a legend. When I close my eyes and think of a the sound of a baseball announcer it is his. Cohen still has time to become that voice for me. But for now it is Murphy.

Gary is the best announcer in baseball (and I listen to all of them, having to watch Mets games on Xtra Innings). He is witty, articulate, a fan without being a homer, fair, honest, has a great voice, and obviously loves his job and the game of baseball.

It still isn’t even close.

Bob Murphy is our Vin Scully; our Jack Buck; our Mel Allen; our Ernie Harwell; our Red Barber. His is the Mets Announcer.

exactly where he should be.

Murph, at the end, was excruciating.

At this point, let’s call it a tie, and have them share the booth!! They’re both terrific!

I voted for Gary, because objectively, he’s the best announcer I’ve ever heard. But this tournament is like being asked to vote for your brother or your father.

i clicked on murphy just because i figured it wasn’t that close but i gave murphy his 372 votes and gary has 371 right now. i wanted to vote for gary

And it appears to be a tie at 382. All’s right with the world.

His kids are a year younger than me and went to my high school, and we’re actually decent friends. I was on his son’s basketball team a few years ago, and he would often show up to scrimmage with us. A real nice guy, despite all the marriage problems he had.