Bill King didn't have the national following of Vin Scully, but his popularity and incredible broadcast legacy in the Bay Area remains a constant. Ditto Lon Simmons.
King passed away suddenly in 2005, leaving behind a career as a three-sport play-by-play man that few in his fraturnity can ever imagine. His work was met with universal acclaim and to this day, re-affirmed the Bay Area as home to some of the best sports broadcasters in the business.
The Giants legion of great announcers has been well documented, with Simmons at the forefront. Who can forget Russ Hodges? And Hank Greenwald, Al Michaels, and yes, surely you can't leave out Jon Miller, Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper, or "Kruk and "Kuip" if you will.
Miller is today's version of Lon Simmons; an incredibly funny, talented, respected and knowledgable voice that mixes his unique style of play-by-play with extraordinary humor and pace. Better yet, balancing out Krukow and Kuiper's occasional bouts of "homeritis", Miller will criticize with authority if the situation merits. That's not to denigrate "Kruk" and "Kuip"; more a validation of Miller's presence in the booth, be it TV or radio. Personally, as good as Miller is on TV, (whether ESPN or the Giants) I like him more on radio
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Although he's the "junior" part of the Giants broadcast team, Dave Flemming has grown into a legitimately solid force, with surprisingly fluid play-by-play and key insight. He can only get better, and his work on both Stanford football and basketball is first rate.
Although he's the "junior" part of the Giants broadcast team, Dave Flemming has grown into a legitimately solid force, with surprisingly fluid play-by-play and key insight. He can only get better, and his work on both Stanford football and basketball is first rate.
Across the bay in Oakland, who'd have thunk A's capable tonsil, Ken Korach, would be able to pull off the feat of, A. being just an utterly complete, comprehensive and excellent play-by-play man, particularly following in the footsteps of King B. having the foresight to adher to an old-school baseball broadcast ethic: constantly giving the score. Korach obviously read the handbook: you can never give the score too many times. He practices what he preaches, thank goodness.
On TV, Ray Fosse gets a lot of heat from being labeled the ultimate homer; but Fosse's knowledge, having once been a catcher, particularly commenting on pitching strategy, is solid and interesting to listen to. His partner, Glenn Kuiper, while a bit on the monotone side, has developed into a much more grounded, seasoned announcer and he's getting a lot better.
Greg Papa has developed into the best football play-by-play voice in the Bay Area. His descriptions are fresh, lucid, and yes, enthusiastic to the core and his trademark, "Touchdownnn Raidersssssssssssss" call is already a fan favorite. Papa is also the rare bird, like Bill King, that has done all three sports. (although at one point, King did all three simultaneously)
Although the Sharks have a huge following in the southbay, the NHL is still #4 in terms of importance here in the Bay Area, but their broadcast crew of Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda is absolutely fantastic. I'm not much of a hockey guy, but Hahn's accounts are very fluid and informative and Remenda's commentary is both accurate, to-the-point, and he manages to make you laugh quite a bit. He's also, thankfully, quite willing and able to rip a player or criticize the home team, when it's called for, and that's refreshing.
The Sharks radio voice, Dan Rusanowsky, is in a league all by himself; simply a genius at his craft and much like King in his Warriors work, a virtual vocabulary on ice. I would only hope that the Sharks hierarchy could get a stronger radio station to highlight his work.
Speaking of good, the 49ers have hired one of the best to broadcast their games. Ted Robinson is as steady as they come. He's "mister everything"--from Wimbledon and the US Open in tennis, to Stanford football and basketball, and let's not forget his stint as the Giants play-by-play guy a few years back.
Robinson takes over for Joe Starkey, who retired last season.
Indeed, the Bay Area is blessed with a cadre of past and present, great announcers. I'd rate King as the best, with Simmons a strong second. Sort of a 1 and 1A, both among the elite club in SF-area broadcast lore. Thanks for the memories, guys.
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