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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2009 16:20:20 GMT -5
Having lived and breathed the 500 since I was 3, I have been very lucky and unlucky to have heard and remembered many people that have announced the Indianapolis 500 on the airwaves. Here is, for what it is worth, my list of the good, the bad, and the very ugly of past Indianapolis 500 Broadcasters.
Still, among the very good and still one of the very best was and is Sid Collins. The team Sid Collins put together to make up IMS Broadcasting Team of broadcasters that did, on radio, the many of the Indy 500 broadcasters are still among the very best. Sid was the chief announcer from the main control tower of the front straight. He and color man Freddie Agabashian were knowledgeable, fun and good. Sid had a rule, when anyone crashed, any member of the IMS Broadcast Team was not to give out any information until confirmed by the Speedway Officials. This way, no family members were to be needlessly worried by mis-information. Sid was articulate, intelligent and had a flair for the dramatic. Freddie, had a voice that sounded like he gargled with razor blades. He was sharper than most. I can remember many times Freddie would announce a drivers car "sounded" rough, to only have that car retire from the race a few laps later. This team, after all these years is still at the top of this list.
Jim McKay and Jackie Stewart were great! Even though many of their broadcasts were in the studio a few weeks or days later....both were good and fun! They worked as a team, one emotional and the other an ex-driver. Oh how I wish ESPN Classic would show some of the older 500's they called.
Jim Lampley was awful! He was the bridge between the McKay/Stewart team to the bunch of goons that became the three headed monster. Every year ESPN Classic shows how bad he was by showing one of his club-footed broadcasts with the 1987 race....In a word, he was excrement.
Now, I really like Paul Page. He is a great guy and I have spoken to him many times. Believe it or not, Page is very knowledgeable about the 500. Page was nothing more than a referee between Sam Posey the moron, and Bobby Unser, the mean, disgruntled Ex driver/drinker. Page kept the calm between those two buffoons arguing in the booth. No need for three broadcasters fighting over air-time like Sam and Booby did. These years were painful for race fans. Also....I can't count how many times Uncle Booby said, "no Sam, you're wrong." To only discover Posey, as goofy as he was, to be totally correct. These guys are among the bad...Sorry Paul.
I only hope ABC follows Versus lead and has Bob Jenkins call the race this year. It will be, more likely Mike King, who isn't bad. I wish they would shoot Bret Musburger out of a cannon into the turn one wall! HE'S AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ruined College Football for years!
I have not mention Marlo Klan of ESPN or Jeannie Zelasko of Fox who I had the misfortune of working with. These women are clueless, stupid and just don't belong at any track, let alone Indianapolis.
As someone said, just be lucky they cover the 500..Oh well. I have enjoined the Versus Coverage this year....Good Stuff!
The Good Sid Collins, Freddie Agabashian and IMS network team, Jim McKay, Jackie Stewart and Bob Jenkins.
The Bad Page, Posey and Uncle Booby Team, sorry Paul
The Very Ugly Jim Lampley!!!! Bret Musburger!!!
For what it's worth, just an opinion
Best to all and watch who wins
Russ
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Post by slidinsideways on May 23, 2009 16:50:08 GMT -5
I wish they would shoot Bret Musburger out of a cannon into the turn one wall! HE'S AN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ruined College Football for years! Russ ;D  ;D ;D ;D That right there is funny!!!!!!!!! |
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Post by 2lapsdown on May 23, 2009 19:42:34 GMT -5
Nobody will ever sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" as well as Jim Nabors, nobody will ever say, "Stay tuned for the greatest spectacle in racing" like Sid Collins, the words "Gentlemen start your engines" will never be spoken as well as Tony Hulman did it, and nobody will ever say "It's a new track record" or "Heee's on it" like Tom Carnegie. I feel blessed to have memories of each of these.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2009 19:45:20 GMT -5
I'd like a Jim McKay/Paul Page call myself.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2009 21:05:43 GMT -5
I liked Paul Page as well.
Why don't they still say "Gentlemen start your engines"?
Men and women can both be gentlemen. It's like "mankind".
I don't think they should lead in with, "and now for the four most famous words on motorsports" if they end up substituting "drivers" for "gentlemen".
G
I miss not hearing Tom Carnegie.
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Post by professor on May 23, 2009 21:46:28 GMT -5
Sam Posey is no moron, in fact he is probably the best educated driver in the last 50 years. He is also a great guy.
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Post by stonecold44 on May 23, 2009 21:48:12 GMT -5
I got spoiled at a young age listening to Sid Collins. He described a 500 much the same as Dan Kelly described a hockey game or Jack Buck doing a baseball game. All you had to do was listen, imagine you were there and the images came to life.
And yes, McKay and Page were really good too.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2009 11:23:56 GMT -5
Sorry Professor,
I have worked with and along side of Sam Posey. He IS a very nice guy, but...nice guys can be morons too. Sam is not the sharpest crayon in the box. Just look at what he says on any past broadcast. Sam suffered from diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the brain. I saw countless drivers and crews roll their eyes when Sam came around. Yes, he is knowledgabl;e...but I remember him stating for a fact that soon, driver will be laying on their stomachs head first in new Indy cars....I still have it on tape.
A nice guy, but not real bright by his own words...
And ABC just jinxed my pick for this year....and they have that real IDIOT Bret Musburger on this broadcast......ARRRGH!!!
I'd almost take Sam & Booby again
Best to you
Russ
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2009 21:42:21 GMT -5
I found Scott Goodyear particularly annoying today. When "Marco the Magical Scrap Kid" stuck his nose into Moraes' space right after the start, it was like an "Andretti can do no wrong" session. I recorded the entire race and have played this back several times in slow-mo. Moraes appears to be holding his line with the rest of the pack in front of him. Then you see Marco trying to go into this hole the size of a mousehole between the wall and Moraes.
Long story short, Goodyear began demonizing Moraes, his spotters and anyone else not associated with the Andrettis for this incident. To me, it seemed rather clear that Marco was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyway, I digress again. I got rather tired of Goodyears condescending remarks to the audience. Comments like "you have to be rather altruistic when coming out of turn 4" when commenting on Davey Hamiltons bad luck. Talking to hear ones self make noise.
I too, remember Tom Carnegie at the time trials from years ago and his work as a sportscaster for WRTV-6. Another good egg.
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Post by stonecold44 on May 24, 2009 22:11:10 GMT -5
I found Scott Goodyear particularly annoying today. When "Marco the Magical Scrap Kid" stuck his nose into Moraes' space right after the start, it was like an "Andretti can do no wrong" session. I recorded the entire race and have played this back several times in slow-mo. Moraes appears to be holding his line with the rest of the pack in front of him. Then you see Marco trying to go into this hole the size of a mousehole between the wall and Moraes. Long story short, Goodyear began demonizing Moraes, his spotters and anyone else not associated with the Andrettis for this incident. To me, it seemed rather clear that Marco was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Anyway, I digress again. I got rather tired of Goodyears condescending remarks to the audience. Comments like "you have to be rather altruistic when coming out of turn 4" when commenting on Davey Hamiltons bad luck. Talking to hear ones self make noise. I too, remember Tom Carnegie at the time trials from years ago and his work as a sportscaster for WRTV-6. Another good egg. Scott Goodyear wasn't the only announcer that put the blame on Moraes. Eddie Cheever and the main announcer were also blaming Moraes. Getting back to the announcers, you mentioned Tom Carnegie. Does anyone know why he retired? Sure he was up there in years, but it's not like that job makes you run a marathon. And his vocal pipes are still formidable. Dave Calabro does a nice job in his place. |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2009 23:18:58 GMT -5
Hi ya Gregg!
From what I have heard from very good sources...Tom Carnegie was getting worried he wasn't sounding as sharp as he used to. He is up there! He decided to black flag himself and do some selected work from time to time. I am pleased to know I was at the track the last time Tom Carnegie said, "A New Track Record!" in 1996. He's a great guy and a real class act!
Best to you
Russ
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2009 23:23:23 GMT -5
I got to hear some of the 500 on the radio while going to wok today. Mike King does a great job and they hired back Paul Page! It was great to hear him. I agree, Scott Goodyear can be very annoying. I miss Tom Sneva....I'll bet the ABC censors don't! (LOL!!!!) Eddie Cheever is a good guy, but I almost put him in the Sam Posey class of saying something silly!
And who picked Helio?
Russ
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2009 6:05:48 GMT -5
Yeah, they definitely missed the call on the Moraes/Andretti incident.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2009 9:25:41 GMT -5
Tom Carnegie isn't in the best health. He is pretty much bound to a wheelchair now. I believe he suffered from polio at an earlier age and old age along with the long term effects have caught up with him. A really good guy. He signed my sons DS "Legends" game (along with Parnelli and Mario).
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Post by lance on May 25, 2009 9:29:44 GMT -5
My favorites are Lou Palmer and Sid Collins, these guys knew there stuff! Guys that grate on my nerves would be Paul Page and crew ( without the two monkey's with him he wasn't as bad as usual yesterday). Bob Jenkins is nothing more than a cooperate mouthpiece and Scott Goodyear has just not yet found his true calling in life , I think he should practice " you want a fries and coke with that ?" I respect Tom Carnegie , he had to find stuff to talk about all day, every day during the month of May as the tracks P.A. announcer, most broadcast guys are not faced with that . Age did catch up with him and his later years at the track could be hard to listen to, despite this , his voice is the one I think most people will fondly remember. I really enjoyed Johnny Parsons yesterday , this guy brings a lot of insight and humor to the booth. Hope everyone who was able to make it here enjoyed themselves and hope to meet more of you next year! Lance
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Post by 2lapsdown on May 25, 2009 12:12:36 GMT -5
Lance, I agree with everything you said. I always felt the ultimate coverage for the 500 would have been Sid and Lew on audio over the tv visuals. For years I listened on the radio and those two made you feel you were right there at Indy. To my generation Sid Collins will always be the voice of the 500 and Tom will always be the voice of the speedway.
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Post by indycals on May 25, 2009 13:44:10 GMT -5
I have to disagree strongly about Jim Lampley - he did an excellent job in the booth. There will never be another Jim McKay, but he benefitted from being able to call the race after the fact, and when the broadcast went live, it was my understanding that he removed himself from the play by play and personally selected Lampley.
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Post by lance on May 25, 2009 17:12:01 GMT -5
I forgot about Jim McKay, I have always associated him more with Wide World Of Sports and the Olympics but I have watched some of the races he did , he and Stewart were great together. Lance
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Post by stonecold44 on May 25, 2009 18:03:41 GMT -5
I have to disagree strongly about Jim Lampley - he did an excellent job in the booth. There will never be another Jim McKay, but he benefitted from being able to call the race after the fact, and when the broadcast went live, it was my understanding that he removed himself from the play by play and personally selected Lampley. There was a funny little off-handed exchange during the 1987 race between Lampley and someone else in the booth. It might have even been McKay. Lampley was about to speak and then the camera cut to McKay. McKay then said, and I'm paraphrasing, "There are only 3 cars on the lead lap." Then the camera cut back to Lampley and he then said "As you so skillfully pointed out, there are 3 cars on the lead lap." It almost sounded like Lampley was annoyed that he didn't get to make that statement. |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2009 19:42:59 GMT -5
Hi Lance!
A few years ago ESPN Classic ran several old Indy 500 broadcasts. They were supposed to show the 1977 race and didn't. I have a copy of that one now, but it's really grainy, but I'm glad I have it. I have 78, 79 and 71....McKay and Stewart did those all.....They were great even though they did them a week later in a studio. They had a great chemistry together and worked well as a team. Much better than these guys this year. Having watched most of it and listened to the rest, The radio guys were far better.
As to Lampley, I worked with him here in Los Angeles when he did the local news. Now he is on ESPN boxing and he's bad there too, not nearly as bad as Max Kellerman who is a REAL IDIOT! Lampley is very bad....even HBO is looking to dump him I heard through the grapevine. Getting dumped by HBO is as low as it can get. Next id Fox.......oh no!
Best to you
Russ
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Post by lance on May 25, 2009 21:13:48 GMT -5
I must admit , I do not have much of an opinion on Lampley , I have just never paid much attention to him. Lance
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Post by indycals on May 25, 2009 22:48:57 GMT -5
I have 78, 79 and 71....McKay and Stewart did those all.....They were great even though they did them a week later in a studio. Actually those were same day broadcasts. They did the week delay from 65-70. My understanding was that from 71-85 they did the start and finish live, and then went back and filled in everything in between for the 8pm EDT broadcast later that night. |
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;D 
