Brooks interview with MLB.Com

[Steff]

As usual, Brooks being his honest self.

 

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/artic...sp&c_id=cws

[Texsox]

When I read the title I thought OMG they want him at mlb. I thought it was a job interview

[southsider2k5]

That interview is a perfect nutshell of why I love Brooks Boyer. He is perfectly honest, and doesn't insult the intelligence of the fans by spewing company line BS. This guy is so incredible, and the Sox are lucky to have him.

[Balta1701]

At least they're still talking about Stone. That's a start.

[LosMediasBlancas]

Would you say Ed Farmer does a good job of teaching the game during broadcasts?

[29andPoplar]

Great interview, and as mentioned above Boyer is very candid and forthcoming.

 

Obviously this is not a "critique the broadcasters" thread (it seems like the game threads are for that purpose).

But these comments were of particular interest to me:

*

What's your take on Ed Farmer as a play-by-play man on the radio?

 

Boyer: With what we ultimately want, we want it to be more of a conversation, where you don't have that straight play-by-play man, he's doing what we want him to do.

 

He does drift. He can talk about St. Rita [High School in Chicago]. He can talk about my [Fighting] Irish. He can talk about golf. Sometimes, these guys forget to tell you what the score is, and we talk about that. But they aren't under any strict format, from A to B to C to D, which we have outlined.

 

We want to make this a White Sox broadcast for a White Sox fan to listen. They know the score. They know what's going on. They feel like they are there, they are at the ballpark. They hear the picture being painted. But we've got to be quicker.

 

There are times on the broadcast where you will here the crack of the bat, the crowd reaction and then it's explained. So, I think we are going to work on our delivery. That's not just Ed. That's also Chris.

*

 

Boyer correctly explained Singleton had a long way to go and still has a long way to go. In my opinion he's made strides but he's still very raw. As for Farmer, I'm glad Boyer recognizes he "drifts" and there's a need to be quicker and work on his delivery (also pertains to Singleton). Farmer "drifts" every single broadcast. I'm glad Boyer is emphasizing this is a White Sox broadcast for White Sox fans. This is not a "my golf game" broadcast or a "what's new with Notre Dame" broadcast.

 

I can understand they want the broadcasts to be conversational and not rigid. That's fine. But I think Boyer needs to specifically explain to Farmer and Singleton what that means, if Boyer himself can define what it means. A "conversation" to Farmer means talking over everyone and going on about Notre Dame, St. Rita, and golf. Bottom line if they don't structure it more for Farmer, he'll continue to "drift" as Boyer puts it.

 

Also, not surprising to see Boyer say one of the three top priorities in the broadcast is to sell the White Sox experience. Basically then, it's part of these broadcasters jobs to be salesmen for the product. That means selling the ballpark, the players, the team, the manager, the game day experience, everything. It's in their job decription and they are evaluated on selling the White Sox experience. For those who criticize the broadcasters for being "homers" well there you have it ... it's in their job decription. The "homer" criticism should in reality be directed toward both the White Sox and the media outlet (radio/TV station).

 

[Steff]

At least they're still talking about Stone. That's a start.

 

 

I don't care one way or the other about Stone (as I rarely listen to the broadcasts) but I do feel it's important to again point out that the Sox do NOT employ the radio personalities. That needs to be kept in mind when folks want to comment on the Sox being solely to blame for who is or is not calling the games.

 

 

[BlackBetsy]

I don't care one way or the other about Stone (as I rarely listen to the broadcasts) but I do feel it's important to again point out that the Sox do NOT employ the radio personalities. That needs to be kept in mind when folks want to comment on the Sox being solely to blame for who is or is not calling the games.

Are you suggesting that the Sox do not have veto authority over who the broadcasters are, even if the Sox do not pay them?

[klaus kinski]

That interview is a perfect nutshell of why I love Brooks Boyer. He is perfectly honest, and doesn't insult the intelligence of the fans by spewing company line BS. This guy is so incredible, and the Sox are lucky to have him.

 

He is fresh air in a time when its hard to trust & believe those in team management. He clearly is a rep for the fans

 

[Steff]

Are you suggesting that the Sox do not have veto authority over who the broadcasters are, even if the Sox do not pay them?

 

 

I suggested nothing of the sort. Just repeated Brooks sentiments on the matter that it is a joint effort. Though I do always like to stress that the Sox don't pay the talent despite what I have see others state.

[29andPoplar]

Boyer does a great job explaining, in a nutshell, who decides on the broadcasters. Farmer and Singleton are employed by WSCR but Boyer says it's wrong to say one person makes the decisions, it's the Sox people and the Score people and I'm sure there are others with input as well, like MLB people for instance.

I would imagine it works the same way with Harrelson and DJ.

 

I also agree with Steff who states it's important to underscore the broadcasters aren't paid by the Sox. Which is why I wanted to emphasize the "sell the White Sox experience" part of the broadcasters job description. Just as lots of people have input into which broadcasters do the games, there are undoubtedly numerous parties who want the broadcasters to "sell the White Sox experience". Namely, the White Sox, WSCR, Comcast, WGN, the advertisers, the Stadium Authority, MLB, etc. etc.

[greg775]

If I were one of those announcers he critiqued, I'd nod yes, yes, yes and say you

are right and then after I signed on for another year I'd talk about whatever I wanted

including Notre Dame and St. Rita on the broadcasts or in my case Bro. Rice.

Agree with the guy who does the hiring and then do whatever you want.

Who is this guy Brooks ... god?

[The Ginger Kid]

you know it's a slow news day when you're reading an interview with brooks boyer.

[mreye]

That interview is a perfect nutshell of why I love Brooks Boyer. He is perfectly honest, and doesn't insult the intelligence of the fans by spewing company line BS. This guy is so incredible, and the Sox are lucky to have him.

 

And you like his tight butt, too.

 

[YASNY]

And you like his tight butt, too.

 

You must've been looking too.

[southsider2k5]

You must've been looking too.

 

What can we say he is, as Hawk would say, A "handsome man"

[spiderman]

It's a shame that we have those guys doing games. They suck, and the White Sox are staying with a bad product.