11/21/24
October 21, 2010
Great Sports Calls, Chosen by Posnanski: Greatest calls in sports is a selection of 32 great calls in broadcast sports, chosen by Joe Posnanski, obviously US-centric but featuring some good choices. Want some elation this Friday? Some nice discussion at Baseball Think Factory. Does it have to be a great moment, or could a routine moment be elevated to the list by a great call? I would be interested if anyone has examples of this; I had a hard time coming up with examples (via MetaFilter).
For the Brits:
Barry Davies commentating on the Olympic hockey final in 1988: "And the players are off the bench this time. Two goals for Imran Sherwani. Where were the Germans? But frankly, who cares?"
I'd be the last person in the world to praise Clive Tyldsley, but even I'd have to give him two good lines from the 1999 European Cup Final: "Can Manchester United score? They always score." swiftly followed by "... and Solskjaer has won it!"
The first ever snooker 147 on TV, performed by Cliff Thorburn at the World Championships in 1983, and brilliantly commentated on by the great Jack Karnhem. All he could offer as Thorburn got over the final black? "Well... good luck, mate."
This was a stunning try to start a game of rugby - some say the best try ever - but (for me) it wouldn't be have as wonderful without Cliff Morgan's commentary: "This is Gareth Edwards... A dramatic start!... What a score!"
Harry Carpenter's memorable moments included his commentary from the Rumble in the Jungle: "Oh my God, he's won the title back at 32!" and a line he always said was the most shamefully unprofessional of his career when he couldn't help but yell "Get in there, Frank!" as Bruno threatened, briefly, to put Tyson down in 1989.
posted by JJ at 11:26 AM on October 21, 2010
And of course, the great moment from the Norwegian legend Bjorge Lillelien when Norway beat England at football: "Lord Nelson! Lord Beaverbrook! Sir Winston Churchill! Sir Anthony Eden! Clement Attlee! Henry Cooper! Lady Diana! Maggie Thatcher can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher! Your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"
And Barry Davies again with vastly superior commentary on Maradonna's second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup finals: "You have to say that's magnificent!"
And why not some more Barry Davies? From when Gascoigne nearly broke David Seaman's arm with a free kick in the FA Cup semi final in 1991: "Is Gascoigne going to have a crack? He is you know . . . Oh I say! Brilliant! That is schoolboy's own stuff. Oh, I bet even he can't believe it. Is there anything left from this man to surprise us? That was one of the finest free kicks that this stadium has ever seen."
Got to have some Richie Beneaud in there too. The final ball of the 2nd Ashes test in 2005.
Gary Herbert at the 2004 Olympic rowing as Pinsent went for his 4th gold medal: "It's going to be... oh... so... close!"
posted by JJ at 12:00 PM on October 21, 2010
Botham getting out in 1991 by falling into his stumps wasn't that big a deal in the history of cricket, or even the match he was playing in, but it has been immortalised by the subsequent giggling collapse of Brian Johnson on the radio commentary. If you can listen to this without smiling, you're probably dead.
posted by JJ at 12:16 PM on October 21, 2010
And Brian Moore, when Arsenal stole (STOLE!) the league title from Liverpool: "It's up for grabs now!"
I'll stop now. Sorry for taking over your thread!
posted by JJ at 12:21 PM on October 21, 2010
From the list provided by Posnanski, the Maradonna goal is probably the best one I've ever heard where I don't understand 99% of what the announcer is saying. It gives me goosebumps hearing that kind of raw emotion.
Vin Scully is probably the greatest North American announcer of all-time. His calls of the "The Catch", Gibson's home run (though Buck's classic "I don't believe what I just saw. I don't BELIEVE, what I just saw." is the one I remember the most), and his sublime description of Koufax's perfect game (seriously, just listen to the whole thing at least once) are all deserving of being on that list.
Tangently related:
A great moment, called multiple times in multiple languages.
It was fascinating to hear the excitement from nations that had no stake in the result and really don't follow the sport all that much. My favourite call (other than the one that I heard live) would be the UK call, as it excited and then almost poetic in description.
posted by grum@work at 12:22 PM on October 21, 2010
I'll stop now. Sorry for taking over your thread!
No need, I'm loving it. And thanks for linking to the exact times as well.
posted by yerfatma at 12:40 PM on October 21, 2010
I had forgotten how good the call on Lezak's comeback was. That's a phenomenal list.
posted by boredom_08 at 02:19 PM on October 21, 2010
The thing I love about each of Vin Scully's calls on that list is that they each include him staying silent after the big moment for a while to let the crowd have its say. I am hard-pressed to identify anyone calling games today who would have that much tact/understatement and sense of the moment (and willpower) to not be front and center in the immediate aftermath of a development of that magnitude.
posted by holden at 03:30 PM on October 21, 2010
Good stuff, rcade. I remember hearing the call on Thompson's home run as a 10-year-old. I was a Boston Braves fan then, and we just didn't like the Dodgers (still don't, but that's another story). My friend and I were running around the house, and my mom broke out a bottle of Four Roses. Great times.
posted by Howard_T at 04:16 PM on October 21, 2010
Harry Kalas' call of the 2008 Phillies championship was good (especially as it would be his final big game), but not great. But Chris Wheeler's willpower to remain silent and let Harry have it is amazing.
And how funny is it that he interrupts his wild celebration for a moment to jot down the "K" on his scorecard?
posted by cl at 05:54 PM on October 21, 2010
- but (for me) it wouldn't be have as wonderful without Cliff Morgan's commentary
This Telegraph piece fills in the details, noting that Morgan was a late stand-in for the flu-ridden Bill McLaren, and that it was his return to the commentary box after suffering a stroke.
From the land of local radio, I have a soft spot for this one.
posted by etagloh at 07:38 PM on October 21, 2010
Youtube has the Honduran and Costa Rican calls of the Jonathan Bornstein goal in the 95th minute of the USA-Costa Rica qualifier that sent Honduras to the World Cup, at Costa Rica's expense. I don't speak Spanish, but the pure emotion (elation vs. crushing blow) of those two calls are classic.
posted by Aardhart at 09:44 AM on October 22, 2010
Some good stuff in there. Thanks!