Wrong.
Not even close, in fact.
Let's start by stating that the very BEST Giants play-by-play broadcaster was Lon Simmons. Period. End of story.
Hank Greenwald was a master wordsmith too, on radio especially where his style and delivery suited the format. Greenwald, like Simmons, preferred radio over TV.
Let's go broadcaster to broadcaster:
*Jon Miller is a very accomplished baseball PBP broadcaster, no doubt about that, but he's not even close to Simmons nor even Greenwald. Miller has HOF and numerous industry awards but he's also, at times, too much in love with himself and his voice.
On technique, Miller is strong. He obviously knows the game of baseball and his nuances are just fine but frankly, on one count, he's dreadful. Miller, and the rest of his team, have a bad habit of NOT giving the score. Yes, I'm anal on this subject because if you're driving around and don't know the score and the announcer fails to mention it, it drives you crazy. Ken Korach, over in Oakland, gives the score, on average, every three minutes. Miller, at times, is more interested in telling stories.
Sometimes, the endless Vin Scully impressions get stale and old. The "Adios Pelota!"call each time a Latin player hits a homer is starting to grate too. Just my opinion. Maybe Miller thinks it's unique and a trademark. I think it sounds gimmicky.
*Mike Krukow: Krukow has the love of the fans and is considered God so even remotely criticizing him here is tantamount to blasphemy, but I'll try.
Krukow also, by virtue of playing the game, knows his stuff, no doubt. But his constant bickering on umpires is getting tired. And yes, Krukow is a homer. A good homer, but the rampant, Timmeh has good velocity, just needs location, is repetitious and banal. I know he works for the Giants but seriously...and the trifecta, Grab some pine, meat!...gamer babes....ownage is forever uber-annoying even to the most loyal Giants fans.
*Duane Kuiper: In my opinion, the weakest link. Kuiper's dreadful, OUTTA HERE! home run call is loud and highly overrated. It is nowhere near the vaunted Simmons, "Way back, Way back--You can tell it goodbye!"nor even close to Greenwald's exciting "It is gone!" staccato simplicity.
*Dave Flemming: I saved the best for last.
Flemming, in my opinion, is the best out of the bunch and that's remarkable given the fact that he's perceived the "kid" in the foursome. Flemming gives the most consistent, on-point, excited-when he-needs-to be--objective account of the action. He's fluid, he has a great delivery and he's quick to point out subtle aspects of the play, the game, that the others simply ignore or are too busy trying to be cute. In addition, I like the fact that Flemming has a no-nonsense approach, both in style and substance. He doesn't need any gimmicks--he just broadcasts the game. What a concept.
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