Rob Stone Fires back

[okiebear]

One bone of contention about virtually ALL MLS broadcasters I've heard.

STOP telling me constantly where players went to school, what city they grew up in, and/or what country they are from! NOW!

Braoadcaster's crutch that has no business being used over and over and over...


Multiple Reps, Cash, Women....whatever this poster wants. I don't even want players to go to the NCAA, and I sure don't want time filled with that garbage.

[FreeNachos]

2. WRT Stone, I think there may be a regional/cultural bias. I sense that many of his supporters on this thread are young, from the left coast, or both. It may be that he is unable to reach outside of his demographic, which is not his fault, but a professional hazard.
I sense that you are arrogant, ignorant or both. But hey, you know us dumb unsophisticated 20-somethings in LA! We just don't get it!

It's unfair for me to single you out though Jon. It seems like a few people on here have never watched any sporting event on televison, ever. Everyone complaining about learning player backgrounds, schools and favorite foods, please tell me what you would like to hear. Tell the sports broadcasters in football, soccer, lacrosse and badminton why they don't understand their jobs and have been doing it wrong since the beginnings. (sarcasm)

These guys pretty much do what sports comentators do on television. They highlight interesting facts, talk about the game and take a few tangents. What do you want? I mean John Madden spends half the game making up words like "cankle" and "Turducken".

ryankozlowski: I'm not sure they do THAT much comparing to other sports. And they do still say "pitch" and "nil". There WAS a goal during side-by-side but it was during a Chivas game...so, that's to be expected. You also implied that Wynalda is mean to Wizards fans...which I think he is. I love that he was so sure of himself about them moving to San Antonio.

[thepundit]

i don't mind Rob Stone as a commentator, but i'm not at all enamored with the guy, either. i don't mind the mentioning of the hometowns etc. because i'm often curious as to such items. to be honest, my biggest gripe with him is that he is too persistent in his calling of the play-by-play. it's not a simulcast is it?!?!?! my favorite non-English soccer emcee (please don't take me for a Queensman due to my broadcasting preferences, EPL's definitely not my favorite league) is probably Cristian Bozzo, JP and Ty close on his trail, followed by Cristian Miles and Max Bretos in a tie for third with Waldo close behind that pairing. Stone's best work by far was an interview with Lebron James during the festivities that took place prior to the McDonalds All-American Game. i think all of these announcers would be better served by a position as the sole man on the mic during their respective broadcasts, as it is only the times when both commentators focus on a subplot that i feel sometimes they have the potential to get bogged down.

to be truthful, i think it's great that our matchcalling talent is developing along with the quality of our league.

[TxFan]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6465

Looks like someone got a beat. Own up son.

wow. go stoner!

[mister_dpl]

I remember when Max Bretos was on Best Damn Sports Show Period right before the 2002 World Cup. Michael Irvin flat came out and said soccer was boring; this was during a conversation about why the game wasn't big in the U.S. Michael wasn't the only one that thought like that, even though he was the only one that spoke. But I thought Max did a good job supporting the National team, even with what he had to deal with. And he got them to chant "USA" at the end of the segment. You're talking about somebody that got put under pressure and it was like it didn't even bother him.....for that alone Bretos gets my total and undying respect. I thought he was a cool guy before that, though.

[Stan Collins]

Interesting thread resurrection. Nice peek into the history of BS eating its broadcaster young, a tradition going back far beyond 2004.

[Golazo]

BS eating its broadcaster young, a tradition going back far beyond 2004.


I've become an agnostic evangelist on this.

When I was about nine I was on a road trip with my old man (good times) and there was a story on the news about inflation (this was in the mid to late 70s), and my Dad explained what inflation was and why it was bad. I came up with all sorts of nine-year-old boy explanations ("They should just print more money and give it to everyone", etc.), and my dad got real quiet for a little while and said, "Son, a whole lotta people who are a whole lot smarter than me and you haven't figure this one out, so it might be best to just try to do the best we can in our family and let the smart people work on solving this problem."


That's where I am with the whole on-air talent thing: A whole lotta people who are a whole lot smarter than me are working on the problem. I'm going to sit on the couch and complain to my kids some, but basically I'm just going to try to enjoy the game, even if I think Balboa/Stone/DOB/Wynalda suck. Anyone care to join me.

[MarioKempes]

I understand the theory being put forth by Rob Stone. I just don't buy it completely. I do think you throw in a few human interest stories here and there, but not at the expense of the broadcast quality. Perhaps a happy medium could be reached?

[Saeyddthe]

I know this was from a couple years ago, but I'd like to volunteer to be the one to kick Rob Stone in the throat, please. If it helps my bid any, I can wear steel toes...

[Mattbro]

Interesting thread resurrection.

Yeah, no kidding. I didn't realize it was an old thread, read through it and came to my own post and was thinking "this jackass doesn't know WTF he's talking about. Oh wait... that's me!"

[Arisrules]

I can't believe anybody is supporting Stone on this. Sure it is his "style," but honestly how many new fans have those two Mimbos won over with their pedantic, and frankly, inane commentary.

It's not an issue about sounding like English commentators (which is the retort that their supporters resort to in last defense), but rather like they know what they are talking about. If the story is somehow relevant to the match, say it, but don't give me a story about Troy Dayak's alfalfa farm (yes, he mentioned it twice in a broadcast once, and went on a massive tangent...F-that).

Stoner would be great on the sideline, and Eric would be fine for a half-time show, where his opinions can be quick and intense, and we don't have to see them being proven consistently wrong as we are watching the match. My favorite line by Eric is: "this is going to get good." What the hell does that mean? NOTHING.

Put Hudson in there. IF Stone really cares about soccer,a nd attracting more fans nothing would be better than bringing in Ray Hudson. Not only does he know the sport, but he he is entertaining...much more entertaining than Stones myopic "storylines" and whatever bullshit he was taught where ever he supposedly worked on his craft.

[Stan Collins]

It's not an issue of style (or did you not watch this WC?). That's what the TV honchos want.

As much as I wish they wouldn't discriminate against guys who have spent a lifetime in the game just because they're funny-accented, and that we wouldn't force them to say irrelevant stuff, that's the world we live in.

[Saeyddthe]

It's not an issue of style (or did you not watch this WC?). That's what the TV honchos want.

As much as I wish they wouldn't discriminate against guys who have spent a lifetime in the game just because they're funny-accented, and that we wouldn't force them to say irrelevant stuff, that's the world we live in.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[monster]

I can't believe anybody is supporting Stone on this. Sure it is his "style," but honestly how many new fans have those two Mimbos won over with their pedantic, and frankly, inane commentary.

It's not an issue about sounding like English commentators (which is the retort that their supporters resort to in last defense), but rather like they know what they are talking about. If the story is somehow relevant to the match, say it, but don't give me a story about Troy Dayak's alfalfa farm (yes, he mentioned it twice in a broadcast once, and went on a massive tangent...F-that).

Stoner would be great on the sideline, and Eric would be fine for a half-time show, where his opinions can be quick and intense, and we don't have to see them being proven consistently wrong as we are watching the match. My favorite line by Eric is: "this is going to get good." What the hell does that mean? NOTHING.

Put Hudson in there. IF Stone really cares about soccer,a nd attracting more fans nothing would be better than bringing in Ray Hudson. Not only does he know the sport, but he he is entertaining...much more entertaining than Stones myopic "storylines" and whatever bullshit he was taught where ever he supposedly worked on his craft.
Put Hudson in the booth and I stop watching. If I want to hear a drunken asshole who doesn't know what the ******** he's talking about, I'll mute the TV and listen to myself talk.

[Stan Collins]

Put Hudson in the booth and I stop watching. If I want to hear a drunken asshole who doesn't know what the ******** he's talking about, I'll mute the TV and listen to myself talk. It worked for Harry Caray for 40 years.

[Arisrules]

Put Hudson in the booth and I stop watching. If I want to hear a drunken asshole who doesn't know what the ******** he's talking about, I'll mute the TV and listen to myself talk.


Yea, but if Hudson had won two championships with DC you'd be on your knees.

Hudson is funny, and has a good grip of the game. Just watch his Gol TV commentary, it's great television.

[Stan Collins]

That said, Rob Stone and Eric Wynalda weren't half bad today. Glen Davis wasn't bad, though he slipped into homerism. ("Fortunately Sanchez made a mess of it.") Even 'Celo wasn't as bad as I'm used to. The only true drag was the coaching interviews.

[TOTC]

Now lets talk about Max Bretos..... and YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Fix'd thy post.

[djaeb2000]

Our announcing is as sophisticated as our league.

U get Repped 4 that, but add the our ref's to that tally....oh how there so horrible...

BTW, I absolutely HATE rob stone...

PEACE

[Saeyddthe]

None of these guys hold a candle to Christopher Sullivan...and I wish they would...preferrably after dousing him with kerosene.