Broadcast beer nuts: Wheels calls it down the middle

On April 1, seldom-interviewed color man Chris Wheeler participated in an informative Q&A with Morning Call columnist Keith Groller, and one of the questions asked was how Wheels responds to critics who consider him a homer.

"That makes me laugh when I hear that,” Wheeler said. “Actually, that's the one thing that frosts me -- when I hear someone say that I don't criticize our guys and I'm a homer. I may not be a wise-guy when I do it. But I point it out when something [bad] happens. I'm not going to do a talk show. That's for someone who wants to sit there and add all of those nasty adjectives. That's not what we do.”

Beerleaguer: Actually, one such criticism occurred last night when Pedro Feliz was gunned down at second trying to stretch a misplayed shallow fly into a double. Wheeler said Feliz should have gone only if he was 100 percent certain he would make it.

As a matter of fact, such criticisms are surfacing more and more with Wheeler. Has anyone noticed this? Perhaps he’s taken Groller’s interview to heart, because this season, Wheels has gone out of his way to call it down the middle. If you listen closely, sometimes you can actually hear him sigh when a Phillie does something foolish at the plate, which has occurred several times with Feliz, the type of first-pitch fastball hitter Wheels loves to expose. 

Reader feedback: What's your impression of Tom McCarthy? Here's mine. He talks too much, too many facts and stats that undermine the work of his color men and the subtle nuances of the game. I like the tone and energy, however. If he picked his spots better and adjusts, it would make for a more memorable experience. Given time, he could be solid. 

Comments

[J. Weitzel]

Wheeler is holding the television crew together right now, between Harry's missed calls, which I hate to say have become a distraction, T-Mac, who's getting his feet wet, and Sarge, who's lost any momentum he had from last season due to a smaller workload and mouth of McCarthy.

[mark]

the t-mac interjections are downright annoying. it's bad enough that the camera focuses on special guests in the broadcast booth and we end up missing big plays, now we miss big plays because we're focused in on t-mac's zany fact corner out in the upper deck of the stands somewhere, instead of seeing what's actually happening during the game.

[Sam]

It was hard enough last season with all 3 formed an overly crowded booth. Now with the rotations they have going on, the play-by-play is very choppy.

I still love the radio guys the most.

[cbass]

I still mis Scottie Graham.

[Alex]

Did the background ever come out for why Harry and Wheels were feuding?

[J. Weitzel]

From that Q&A:

Q: What happened with you and Harry Kalas that received so much publicity?

Wheeler: It was a personal thing that was really no one's concern. Someone said some things and decided to call someone in the media and told some lies. Unfortunately, the media ran with it without getting my side of the story. I'm not allowed to talk about it, but it was something between the two of us and it didn't need [publicity]. It has never affected anything on the air. We work fine together.''

[William D.]

The late great "Whitey" Ashburn would frequently spend half innings at a time on the radio saying absolutely nothing...because nothing was happening. The only way you knew you were still tuned in was the soft draw of his pipe.

The need to incessantly fill dead airspace with mindless stats and commentary is a pox on most broadcasters as they try to emulate the network sportscasters. McCarthy is one of these but he cannot hold a candle to Chris Wheeler, who simply does not ever shut up. I have started to switch between radio and TV audio feeds to avoid him.

Of course what he says is valid...but is it of value?

Let McCormick learn at the feet of the master, "Harry the K". Perhaps he can be rescued yet.

Heck, even Vin Scully shut up once in a while...

[redbeard]

i'll be happy when its just t-mac and sarge, ill miss harry every game tho.

sarge talks about baseball with the most interesting insight than any of them. he doesnt get enough time.

[The Doctor]

If you're in the mood for Phillies nostalgia from the 80s, check this out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1eEdO1yYNw

[bsg]

Also you REALLY can hear L.A sigh or get upset when the phils do have a bad play, sometimes he seem just to be annoyed during certain innings but also did a great cheer when Ptb had the walk off hr. against the giants,and has a great sense of humor as with t-mac your spot on, he talks way too much and engages sarge way too much with other crap than calling the game or letting the play develop. IMO wheels used to be really bad when one of our guys screwed up he would just harp on the point mercilessly, i don't think he does that as much now, also its great sometimes between him and harry when harry may mispronounce a guys name and wheels practically corrects him before harry finishes the guys name and harry will just give you dead air for about 2 seconds its great , i would love to see the look he gives wheels, also wheels has the problem of interrupting harry way too much, you would think by now that wouldn't happen as much but it still does, but wheels really does try to convey some knowledge of the game during his broadcast, I admit Sarge has gotten better, but sometimes it feels like t-mac or harry have to give him a nudge to say something, but damn he still seems like a low-talker, like i have to strain to hear what he's saying speak up Sarge!, As for Scott F. i think he's pretty good and actually has a good radio voice, sometime its hard to hear the difference between him and t-mac they sometime sound the same, but scott seems to have a good cadence ,calls a good game and shows excitement in his voice during great plays, and what more can be said about H.O.F. 'er Harry, HE'S STILL THE MAN, sometimes missed call and all,and we all miss whitey too! i loved it when he would always thank some fan for sending them up the box of tastykakes of some other stuff, he never seemed to forget the common fan!

[Tom G, ballssticksstuff.com]

I've sensed some serious detente between Wheels and Harry as of late. Probably like a lot of arguments, it's fallen by the wayside.

Also, for what it's worth, count me among those that think there is just way too many people and words being crammed into a broadcast. Baseball should have an even, flow to it.

[Morty]

William D: I agree totally. Wheeler needs to learn to just shut up a lot of the time. He repeats himself like crazy. Shut up already.

The listener can tell that Harry gets frequently annoyed by Wheeler's love of the sound of his own voice.

[redbeard]

the 4 man dosey-do experiment needs to stop asap.

[mike cunningham]

What McCarthy has to learn is that Less is More.

And T-Mac will have to understand he's not on the Radio anymore.

Last night had two awkward moments (well 3)...

First there was a booth camera shot with TMac and Sarge. Sarge hit the table hard a couple of times which shook the steadicam (although it looked more like a webcam) a couple of times.

I don't know if they have a director or producer in their ear at all times. But TMac was the one who told Sarge to stop hitting the table. He then hit it again. which lead to a joke about earthquakes. But it was entirely awkward and while Sarge I guess should have realized it... I thought it was UNPROFESSIONAL to note it on air.

SECONDLY, there was a graphic that was sponsored by Firestone, I forget if it was about strikeout leaders or ERA Bullpen leaders. Which TMac introduces the graphic than Wheels went on a disjointed tangent about the pitcher, Qualls??. When Wheels was FINALLY finished, Either Wheels was supposed to read the Firestone Copy (like Sarge does when the recoh defensive play comes up) or TMac is supposed to. McCarthy than says something awkward like "And Wheels as you know... Firestone blah blah blah" Wheels fires back "Yeah I know I've read that a few times." Now its possible Wheels was joking around too on his blunder. But it really sounded like he was being defensive. Which was sort of understandable because TMac's line was a little awkward and seemed like he was pointing out a mistake.

Listening to Franzke and LA, they have developed a great rapport over the last year and a 3rd. However, I still get bugged by when LA screws up a word or misses something that Franzke has to call him out on it every time. It's never with bad intent, but sometimes you cover for a mistake of your partner and sometimes you ignore it completely and sometimes you point it out for the joke.

I don't think Tmac has the rapport with the TV guys, since when he was here before he was with Graham.

Now the 3rd awkward moment was from Harry when Eaton looked like he was going to take 3rd on his double. At first I thought Harry was joking when Eaton was going to third. then they showed the replay from the outfield cam and Eaton did round second hard and had to put on the BRAKES in a full stop. Someone might have called that a miss call, but to me that was a classic harry moment. Awkward yes, but the reason why you need him in the booth.

And the last time I pointed out out a glaring mistake in Harry the K's call, the phillies went on like they lost 8 out of their next 10 games in 2006.

But folks, right now you have to understand that unless something drastic happens, McCarthy is being groomed for Harry the K's replacement. He got a huge long contract for this business. And has a high profile on the broadcast.

Anything can change of course...

[michael]

yeah i completely agree that they just try and cram too many men in the booth, when it comes to baseball broadcast its that you have to let it breathe, the sound of the game itself (crowd noise, etc) is as important as the commentators. i say no more than 2 men in the booth at a time. i still though prefer who we have calling the games than a lot of guys out there in the league.

[Bob]

Ditto Tom G's & michael's comments.

[Tony D]

Wheels is atrocious. The only reason he's still here is because he's in with the boys up in the front office. The Inky had a poll last week about who the most annoying TV guy is and Wheels won. It's kind of sad since you can tell he really cares about the Phils but something about his tone and voice is flat out annoying. Wheels said the other day that homeruns are just fly balls that land on the other side of the fence. WTF???

McCarthy does talk too much but I'm wanna see more. As JW said Sarge got better as the year went on last year so maybe this can happen with Tom M.
______________________

I hate to say it but Darling and Hernandez are the best guys on TV for any team. The stories they tell are flat out hilarious and they both know a ton about the game and can relate to the fans.

[Iceman]

Can't stand T-Mac, especially since I heard through an inside source that he's a life-long Mets fan. And yes, that matters to me, even if he manages to hide it. The fact that he's in love with his own voice (possibly eclipsing Wheels' propensity to exhibit the same trait) doesn't help. God help us once Harry the K hangs 'em up...

Sarge has really grown on me, and my friends all feel the same way. I couldn't stand him at first but I love him in the booth now.

[TC]

It's amazing to me how not just the Phillies, but so many stations/teams cram as many guys into the broadcast as they possibly can. Vin Scully is all by himself, and it's part of the joy of watching Dodgers games. It's like he's telling you a story.

I don't really care for Wheels all that much--he does get a bit chatty and will stick on certain points for far too long. But, the man either has incredible recall, or is really good at looking up old boxscores. He always seems to remember "that game against the Pirates 7 or 8 years ago where the pitcher hit two doubles off somebody". I enjoy those.

Tom McCarthy seems okay to me--I agree, the segments with him in the stands talking about nonsense are obnoxious. In fact, any part of the broadcast that takes the focus (and the camera) off the game just irks me. I don't want to see what you guys are doing in the booth. Just talk about the game at hand, please.

As for Sarge, it's not so much that he's bad, it's just that he doesn't offer anything to the broadcast. His Keys to the Game last year basically went "Pitch well. Hit well." His analysis consists of doing play-by-play on replays. He seems nice and fun and all, but he does nothing to improve my experience watching the game.

Harry, I adore Harry. Though, every year he seems to miss a few more calls than the year before, and this year he's becoming really ornery. Still, I love the guy. Forever.

[Cipper]

not a big fan of Tmac... he can be good but he can be bad... the one call that made me wonder what was going on was when san fran was in town i think it was Cain threw a 75 mph curveball and Burrell swung and missed... "Burrell just couldn't quite catch up to that one"...

[CJ]

I love Harry Kalas. He doesn't miss too many calls. Sure, he misses some, but it is more than made up for by the fact that he's about the best there is right now.

[RSB]

Ah see, Jason. You know I love this stuff.

First of all, to the person who claimed even Vin Scully shuts up once in awhile - prove it. Far as I can tell, he's been eliciting a single, uninterrupted sentence since 1955.

Wheels absolutely holds it together. I can understand why he may grate on people, but name me a better color analyst. He knows the game extremely well and, while he may talk a lot, he usually has something useful to say, unlike McCarthy. I have learned more baseball from Wheeler than all the other Phillies announcers over the years combined, including Ashburn.

People bash Mark Grace's frat-boy announcing presence for Arizona, but Larry Andersen is more or less the same for the Phillies. He's around for his personality more than anything. It's amazing how uninformed he is about players and teams - you can tell he doesn't take the job very seriously.

McCarthy is a canned announcer. He definitely could take a pointer from Kalas and allow for a few pauses now and then. It beats looking at a future of Scott Graham, but not by much.

Matthews' presence, other than for the purposes of tokenism, is pretty pointless. He's only around for what, 3 innings? I don't see him staying in the fold beyond this year. Broadcasting clearly does not suit him.

Kalas, despite the mistakes, is still the best reason to watch a Phillies game. Case in point was his tremendous call of Burrell's recent game-winner, even though he announced it as a ninth-inning homer when it came in the tenth. It's a disgrace that they only have him on for one inning on radio, though.

Am I missing anyone? Franzke. I like him, but they would do well to break him and Andersen up once in awhile. He seems to bring himself down to the level of Andersen's this-doesn't-really-matter mold a lot of the time, but he brings a certain wry intelligence to his play-by-play which is enjoyable.

They really need to streamline the telecasts a lot better. Most teams work with the same 2-man crew the whole game. It used to be so much more straightforward when there were just four of them on the entire crew back in the '80s. And the in-game interviews are as much an insult to serious baseball fans as the wave.

[MG]

Wheeler is annoying with idle praddle and idioms but I will give him credit for this - he knows the Phils' organizational history really well and is a pretty knowledgeable baseball man. He just tries way too hard.

Sarge has gone back to being utterly useless once again. Actually liked how his confidence grew as the season went on last year. Wasn't afraid to be tough on the Phils even if he Captain Obvious at times.

[RSB]

I was going to make this comment about Wheeler, but then I read the interview and he said it himself: "I know what's going on better than a lot of guys who have played the game." Might sound arrogant, but he's dead right about it. I can't think of any former player in any booth, other than McCarver, who adds more insight than Wheeler. Say what you want about those two, but they know baseball inside out and have often enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the game. I don't mind guys who talk a lot if they've got something worthwhile to contribute to a telecast, something you otherwise may have missed.

[Lynsk]

I find blatant homerism more acceptable on the radio than on TV.

Ron Santo for the cubs is perfect for radio. To hear him get pissed when the cubs are sucking is hilarious but I couldn't deal with him on TV. Hawk Harrelson for the White Sox doesn't say a word for lengthy periods of time when the Sox are losing.

ps - I'm a phillies fan living in Chicago.

[MPN]

RSB: Sarge and "tokenism"? Real classy.

[Jim J]

I haven't had much exposure to Vin Scully but last season during a Phillies/Dodgers series, Scully kept pronouncing Chris Cos-tee. Cos-tee. Cos-tee. The next night, the same thing. You'd think someone would clue the guy in. Also during the 2-game stretch, he told the same exact stories of the same players during the exact same innings. The same stats, everything. Geezus. If you're a regular Dodger watcher, how can you take that?? I've heard Scully say many times he treats every broadcast like new fans are listening for the first time but that was ridiculous!

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

I really enjoy the banter between Franzke and LA, but I don't understand why there are so many announcers. Am I missing something, or is it some musical chairs act to determine who will step into the shoes of the king (Kalas)?

Also:

Lynsk:
Ron Santo is downright hillarious when something bad happens to the Cubs. He will literally yell "Oh God, how do you make that play" (or something analogous).

Hawk Harrelson: I like his announcing. If there has ever been a right way to be a homer, Harrelson has perfected it.

Bob Euker: I like listening to him almost as much as Harry. He has a great voice like Harry, but the personality of LA, in that he seems to goof off in a professional way (Not that LA does).

Milo Foreman: I always get him mixed up (Can't remember if he is the Astros announcer or the Reds). Either way, both the Reds and Astros have good broadcasts.

Jeff Brantley adds a lot to the Reds broadcasts in my opinon. His pitching insights are spot on. He criticised Clay Condrey in one broadcast, and I really felt like I had really been educated as to how bad Condrey actually is/was (not that I didn't know it before).

[Ben Keeler]

I liked McCarthy in his first stint on radio - doing pre and post game and the 5th and 6th on the radio. I am not a fan this go around.

I have no problems with Wheeler. He isnt the best, but better than a whole lot of others out there.

RSB - good point on Franzke going down to LA's level sometimes. Thats fine for the color guy, but Franzke downplays so many big events or losses with his LA style humor sometimes that it is almost insulting to those who are listening.

[RSB]

MPN - that's my opinion. Matthews is a terrible broadcaster. Tell me why else he's around when they've got six other guys.

[MPN]

RSB: Who are the 6 other white guys that Sarge is stealing work from because of the color of his skin? Sarge has got 234 career MLB home runs, was a hitting coach for the Cubs, knows a lot about the game and is still finding his way in the booth. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I like the chemistry that he and Tom McCarthy are building. My opinion is that that was an ignorant thing to say. Just my opinion.

[Matt]

I've always been a Wheeler defender. I never quite understood the animosity against him, but I think it has something to do with the "kool kids" over at 610 who suddenly decided that he wasn't good enough. I wish it was just Harry and Chris for the whole television program.

[fljerry]

MPN you should read more carefully = he did not say colored guy, but color guy - big difference

[RSB]

Hey MPN: Look, it might be a distasteful concept, and one which people aren't supposed to mention publicly, but tokenism does exist. If I'm wrong about Sarge, then I'm wrong. Just a feeling that that's why he's there. He knows hitting, but he plainly isn't any good in the booth. If you like him, fine.

[MPN]

RSB: Garry Maddox used to announce games on Prism, but now runs a very successful business in Philadelphia. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. One could say that Wheels is the "token" company guy for the Montgomery regime, too.

[joe l]

As for out of town guys, the Red Sox TV guys are too bad and I don't mind the Mets (sans Hernandez).

[RSB]

MPN: Maddox did a great job on PRISM. I would never have made that assertion in regards to him.

[Malcolm]

Beh, tokenism is ridiculous. Sarge is the first black man in the booth since Maddox. They never kept up appearances in the race venue.

[Bonehead]

What a variety of opinions. There seems to be no obvious Beerleaguer concensus on who should stay and who should go. Even Harry has some detractors. My opinion is that Wheels is only okay. With the losses on TV of Whitey, McCarver, LA; and the addition of Sarge, Wheels has moved up food chain by default.

[doubleh]

Compared to what a lot of other teams have, we have it pretty good here in Philly. Have you ever heard the Marlins broadcast team? Atrocious. Or when the games are on ESPN?
Enough said. I'm fine with what we have and at this point, I don't even notice Wheels anymore.

[Bill]

I think you nailed McCarthy perfectly. His energy is great but he does too much of what should be the color mans job. Sadly Sarge just is not improving and so many people dislike Wheels it has made the quality go down. My opinion is get Larry Andersen back on tv for a few, get Sarge more experience on radio or move him on, and start to limit Wheels time on the air.

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[naylman]

Vic
Bruntlett
Utley
Howard
Burrell
Jenkins
Feliz
Ruiz
Kendrick

[erich]

sarge is great on radio and terrible on video because he tends to say what any idiot with a video feed can see for himself.

[erich]

also, Scott Kalas is very good. I was hoping a phils would get him when dad retires.

[Sophist]

I like Sarge's voice and his personality okay. I like the way he says "J-Roll." I agree with others who said he's gotten less irritating over the past year.

[erich]

would anyone do a trade straight up Eaton for Barry Zito?

[stjoehawk]

"would anyone do a trade straight up Eaton for Barry Zito?"

Yes - The Giants.

[Reed]

how bout Arroyo for Eaton?

[birds]

I grew up in Philly during the full-on Kalas-Ashburn era. They had chemistry and personality. It was great.

Now that I live out of the city, and I watch games on MLB.tv I get a smattering of folks calling games, including the Phils crew. While the Marlins and Nationals have the worst announcers that I have heard, the current chemistry-free crew in Philly is very average. I actually like Sarge - but the rest (including Kalas) of the crew is not very good. And Sarge needs some more support to get the most out of him.

I actually agree with someone up stream who said that Cohen/Darling/Hernandez are the best out there. Keith is relentless on the young Mets when they play stupid, and Darling is a terrific color guy.

On the other hand, I appreciate the Marc(k?) Grace frat guy business in Arizona. It plays well in that southwest crowd. There is a pool there for God's sake. That won't play in Phily, but it works in parts of the country where the lifestyle is a little more relaxed - no offense.

When Kalas retires, the organization has an opportunity to take some risks. Tevas and hottubs may not fly, but moving the booth to the field is pretty fun to watch. or something like that.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

I'd do the trade (Eaton for Zito)as long as we didn't trade contracts.

Zito is intriguing. Thank god we didn't dive into that deal.

[Joe K]

I grew up in Philly in the late 50's and early 60's and have been gone for 40 years. Who were the announcing partners with By Saam?

The current Phil's radio broadcast, which I hear over mlb.com, is acceptable.

[JH]

His pregame show is where Wheels is the most sycophantic: "Charlie did you know that decision would turn out so well when you made it last night?" I do think Wheels is a little more objective this year though.
Coming up through the organization (and not a professional announcer coming to the phils) he was strictly a company man and as much a homer as the flyers announcers.
He is without a doubt more critical of former phils and players on other teams.
For example last night he said "He just strikes out way too much." He was talking about a Diamondback and NOT Ryan Howard.
How refreshing would it be if it was Howard?
Wheels grows on you after a while and if you have the baseball package you can see he is better than most of the announcers for other teams.

[michael]

it could be worse we could have John Sterling, that guy is the WORST! "AN A-BOMB BY A-ROD!" awful. and Suzyn Waldman who calls games with him, WOW punishment.

[erich]

Joe K: from wikipedia:
After the Athletics moved to Kansas City, Saam returned to the Phillies in 1955. He was joined by Bill Campbell in 1962; the pair was joined by former Phillies outfielder Richie Ashburn a year later. Campbell left in 1970 and was replaced by current Phillies voice Harry Kalas. They broadcast Phillies games until Saam's retirement in 1975. Ironically, the year after Saam retired, the Phillies won the National League East--their first postseason appearance of any kind since 1950. For this reason, Kalas and Ashburn invited Saam into the booth for the division-clinching game and let him call the last half-inning. Ashburn later said, "Thirty-eight years and no winner. Damn right he deserved a title."