Callin' a good game (Brad and J.R. not involved)

Anyone who watches sports should be familiar with the popularity of networks to hire former athletes, and peddle them to the viewing public as experts. The play by play person will usually acquiesce to whatever drivel their partner feels the need to spew. It is in this spirit that we as Astros fans should feel grateful to have Jim Deshaies (along with Bill Brown) broadcasting games.

What prompted me to write this post, was a conversation JD and Brown were having in the booth prior to the start of the game. The topic was the length of the new grass that adorns the playing field at Wrigley. Commenting that it was shorter and should not play to the pitcher's advantage as much anymore, although JD noted that he was no agronomist. Not that the term is incredibly difficult to discern, but I was impressed that a color commentator threw that jewel in. For comparison's sake, here is a piece of solid analysis from Ron Darling circa 2005.(Note: Darling is contemporary athlete of JD's and a YALE UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS):

"Castilla at the plate with the bases loaded. He'd really like to get a hit. The Nationals are down 2 - 1. If they score a couple of runs, they'll be winning. Strike 3. The pitcher threw the ball, Castilla missed it."

Tre-men-dous stuff. It's almost as if being a Yalie is negated once you step into the booth. Glad to see that Deshaies is a violator of the federal statute against thinking while announcing.

Addendum:

Jeff Brantley gives us a few more reasons  to worry about head trauma in professional sports, and the effects on ex athletes. Specifically the second post down "XXX" (sorry they don't let you link to specific posts, but the video is just incredible).

Sphere: Related Content