Mets Announcer Tournament Championship: Bob Murphy vs. Gary Cohen
Yesterday's results: Gary Cohen (68%) def. Lindsey Nelson (32%). You can view the updated bracket here. After 3 weeks of polling and thousands of votes, here it is, the moment we've all been waiting for. Thanks to all who participated, and let the best announcer win:
Bob Murphy VS. Gary Cohen
TV Tenure (1962-1981) TV Tenure (2006-Present)
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Comments
Real slobberknocker, this one
But I think I’m okay with my voting decision.
'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 27, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh brother
I am going to pick Gary.
When I started listening to Mets games, it was 1983 or 1984. I always liked to have the radio on when I went to sleep. Bob Murphy was the Mets for me. When we had family vacations in Canada, and when I went off to college in Maryland, at nights I’d search for that familiar voice. By and by, it was Gary Cohen’s voice that represented the Mets to me. I associate his calls with both terrible games (last of season: 07/08) and amazing games (Marlon Anderson inside the park homer in extra innings.)
I mean no disrespect to Murph because I loved him. Hell, I cried when I heard that he died! Its just that Gary is the Mets to me. Im excited to have my kid sit with me and listen to Gary talk about baseball.
"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."
by IanB in MD on Mar 27, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn
This was the definition of toss-up, but I ended up voting for Gary b/c I figured he was gonna get killed, only to see that he’s winning (albeit only by 2 votes). We’ve had some great announcers
by cjmulrain on Mar 27, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I refreshed
and he’s down 5. Will be interesting to see how this plays out
by cjmulrain on Mar 27, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there any way to find out if Gary/Keith/Ron/Howie are paying attention?
It would be rad if Gary was willing to do an interview with AA about this. He’s been getting a lot of love.
"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."
by IanB in MD on Mar 27, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It would also be cool
to hear his thoughts about Murph. Also I’d love to know what he thinks about Steve Sommers.
"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."
by IanB in MD on Mar 27, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Appropriate that this should be a dead heat.
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.
by anonymous on Mar 27, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gary also had balls
I remember a couple years ago when he talked about all the players coming to spring training lighter. He was on the radio joking about their claims of “core training” and “new diet” as the reason for the bulk-down. I loved it.
"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."
by IanB in MD on Mar 27, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
This is basically what it came down to for me, too. I loved Murph, but Gary is the best announcer in baseball. We’re lucky to have him.
'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 27, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Although it would not be a deciding (or even significant) factor in my own vote, sentiment is probably as valid as any other measure in this competition.
It depends on your perspective, but this could be viewed less as “Who Is The Best Broadcaster” and more as “Who Do You Like.” Both totally fun anyway.
batting helmets. batting titles. obp.
by Durelo on Mar 27, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So who are you voting for?
I went with Murphy on sentiment. I love Gary, think he’s the best, and I’m happy that he’s ours. And I’m sure I will feel the same way about him some day. But it had to me Murph for me today.
And for what it’s worth, I’ve been looking at this series as both TV and radio (not just TV), since so much of my experience with those involved has been radio.
We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!
by kingcritical on Mar 27, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will never forget the sound of Murph's voice.
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.
by Ravi33 on Mar 27, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If there is justice...
It will end a tie.
The 2009 NY Mets: WE GOT K-ROD! OMG, Putz, too! Sign Lowe! Lowe's a Brave. Sign Manny! Tim Redding, WTF? Sign Manny! Sheets or Perez? SHEETS! Perez?? Oh, Sheets is hurt -- good job, Minaya! WTF?! SIGN MANNY!
by ZaBlanc on Mar 27, 2009 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You got your wish.
So, do we have a Gore/Bush recount situation, or do we just sit back and admire the poetic justice of the tie?
by BobbyV_Incognito on Mar 28, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy moly!
I shoulda bet an NCAA bracket this year. :-)
The 2009 NY Mets: WE GOT K-ROD! OMG, Putz, too! Sign Lowe! Lowe's a Brave. Sign Manny! Tim Redding, WTF? Sign Manny! Sheets or Perez? SHEETS! Perez?? Oh, Sheets is hurt -- good job, Minaya! WTF?! SIGN MANNY!
by ZaBlanc on Mar 28, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Murph
I agree that sentiment is a part of the decision. I love Gary, and I feel that someday I will consider him better than Murph. But Bob Murphy called two world championships and four pennants. I would argue that he seemed to be very bright, and had a tremendous ability to capture the moment. Unfortunately, I only got to listen to him at the very end of his career. But the fact that he was so sharp and enjoyable at that stage tells me that he must have been incredible in his prime.
"One of the nice things about baseball is that there are no rules you can't break." - Jim Bouton
by Prince on Mar 27, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it really sucks
that cohen will never get to call a mets world championship if that were to occur in the near future (please?). instead that privilege will go probably go to joe buck. ugh.
by englishgrey on Mar 27, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With luck (and a little bit of sense), we will get to hear him on the radio during the WS.
We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!
by kingcritical on Mar 27, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I seem to recall
Didn’t some folks have an issue with Gary working on the radio broadcast during the ‘06 playoffs? Something along the lines of "He’s the teevee guy and it’s not fair to Howie and Tom to put Gary in the booth as well after they did radio all year!"
Am I remembering things wrong or does anyone else remember this?
'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 27, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The "some folks"
were Mike and the Mad Dog, which isn’t surprising.
by Mount17 on Mar 27, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that would make sense
I mean, they’re not the only people who try and turn non-issues into issues, but it does make sense that it would have been them.
'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 27, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Gary Cohen...
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.
by djbutler73 on Mar 27, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Easier decision than I thought it would be . . .
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.
by rcfriedberg on Mar 27, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Does anybody remember hearing anything
about Bob Murphy sort of freezing out Gary when he joined him in the booth? I know they didn’t have much chemistry and I don’t think it was Gary’s fault (and it might have just been Murphy being old).
by Mount17 on Mar 27, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, let's just call it a tie.
If the vote really boils down to sentiment vs. intellect — heart vs. brain — then it’s fair to say that there’s no right answer. If anyone out there is stuffing the ballot box, I hope they’re rigging it to tie exactly at midnight.
by anonymous on Mar 27, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh damn, Murph by five votes as of 5:19 EDT.
This is really quite close.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
by squid92 on Mar 27, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i just voted #261
for the Gar-ster, putting him up by one at 4:50 PST or so. It’s a tossup.
I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya
by itsmetsforme on Mar 27, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is like a great heavyweight matchup
where you don’t even care who wins, you’re just amazed at how it keeps going back and forth and neither one will go down for the count. I’ll re-iterate what I said above: we’ve had some great announcers.
I wonder if ESPN (or something with a more intelligent fanbase) did a national poll of all the all-time great broadcasters, who would win, and what place the current Marlins broadcasters would come in. My guess is somewhere around 4,254
by cjmulrain on Mar 27, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
out of 4,200, yes
the damage those guys inflict goes beyond sports broadcasting…they devalue the use of the English language, nay communication itself!
I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya
by itsmetsforme on Mar 27, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gary's up 3
exactly where he should be.
Murph, at the end, was excruciating.
by DevonEdwards on Mar 27, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
F.
We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!
by kingcritical on Mar 28, 2009 4:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's call it a tie
At this point, let’s call it a tie, and have them share the booth!! They’re both terrific!
by Metzfan22 on Mar 27, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not Easy
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.
by Dana Brand on Mar 27, 2009 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this is insane!
I LOVE gary. He is an outstanding play-by-play man and commentator. He could be the best in baseball right now – but we’re talking about MURPH here!!!
Anyone that listened to this man both on TV and radio for any length of time will tell you that this is no contest. Murph will be the voice of the Mets forever.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeer’s the pitch on the waaaaay ….. vote for Murph!!
by bobmurphy on Mar 27, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Your name...is Bob Murphy.
That is all.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
by squid92 on Mar 27, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i feel like i screwed gary
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
by mets on Mar 27, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
stroke of midnight
And it appears to be a tie at 382. All’s right with the world.
by anonymous on Mar 28, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the only appropriate result, methinks.
'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'
by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 28, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn, that is amazing.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
by squid92 on Mar 28, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Has this been rigged?
"Since we became accelerated readers, we never leave the house." - Los Campesinos
by Shomov on Mar 28, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is fitting.
The tie makes ten kinds of sense. I mean, it had to be a tie. Someone needs to call Gary and see if he wants to say something about it.
"The people of Houston are spending money like oil's selling at $40 a barrel."
by IanB in MD on Mar 28, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey, wait a minute!
I got confused by the ballot and I think I may have voted for Pat Buchanan.
by BobbyV_Incognito on Mar 28, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Holy Schnikes!
Wake up today at the crack of 1:00 to find this absurd result. I assure everyone this is not rigged, short of someone creating all kinds of SB Nation usernames to try to even out the vote.
Happy recap post to come later.
by James Kannengieser on Mar 28, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe I didn't get here in time to put Murph over the top.
My bad, big fella!
Save the neck for me, Clark.
by Mr. Met on Mar 28, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No disrespect to Gary - he's a very strong announcer himself.
But Murph is Murph. He’s like The Wiz. Nobody can beat him.
Save the neck for me, Clark.
by Mr. Met on Mar 28, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know Gary Cohen
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.
When asked why I was a Mets fan, I responded, "pain is my lifeblood."
by wrightHOF on Mar 28, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I missed out!
I didn’t get a chance to vote. Who would I have picked?
“It’s a ground ball, trickling, it’s a fair ball! Gets by Buckner! Rounding third is Knight! The Mets will win the ballgame! The Mets win, they win!”
Bob Murphy was an icon who will be missed forever. As great as Gary Cohen is, there’s no comparison.
2009 Mets: maybe its the Phillies turn to have a terrible bullpen?
by Greenpoint Ian on Mar 28, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
someday (hopefully not anytime soon)
Gary Cohen will be an icon who will be missed forever. Remember, once upon a time Vin Scully was just some upstart trying to replace the legendary Red Barber
by cjmulrain on Mar 28, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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