Orel Hershiser: Star Color Commentator (for ESPN!)

[Jace]

Honestly, Orel Hershiser is the best national tv baseball color commentator I have heard in at least a few years. He is confident, funny, has many stories that are actually both relevant and interesting, engages his cohost in good conversation (even Chris Berman), knows a ton about baseball, and best of all is extremely insightful about the plays going on currently in the game and the reasons for them (especially pitching-wise).

I thouroughly enjoyed listening to him talk yesterday, and became severely unhappy to suicidal when a friend called and i had to turn down the volume and listen to them instead. We should hire him for pitching coach / Suzyn Waldman's replacement, unless he somehow convinces ESPN to let him on their broadcast A-team over Joe Morgan, him and Jon Miller would be nicccee

[cupcollector99]

He's probably going to get gobbled up as a pitching coach or manager by next year.

[KevinBaseball]

He was good, but his 15 minute explanation of how to give signs with a runner on second was tedious, I thought he was going to go on forever.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by KevinBaseball

He was good, but his 15 minute explanation of how to give signs with a runner on second was tedious, I thought he was going to go on forever.

You could tell he was boring Berman at the end of that , but I kind of like that stuff. Its not like anyone else will tell you ever, its fairly interesting parts of the game you dont hear about

[spiritof27]

As long as he's not discussing politics, I think he adds a whole lot to their broadcasts. I don't like to watch any of the games on ESPN unless he is involved. Unless, of course, it's one of the day games with the Gary Thorne, Steve Stone, Steve Phillips trio. They are hilarious. Not much in the way of baseball knowledge, but they are a good time to listen to.

[Boogiedown Bomber]

Originally Posted by Jace

Honestly, Orel Hershiser is the best national tv baseball color commentator I have heard in at least a few years. He is confident, funny, has many stories that are actually both relevant and interesting, engages his cohost in good conversation (even Chris Berman), knows a ton about baseball, and best of all is extremely insightful about the plays going on currently in the game and the reasons for them (especially pitching-wise).

I thouroughly enjoyed listening to him talk yesterday, and became severely unhappy to suicidal when a friend called and i had to turn down the volume and listen to them instead. We should hire him for pitching coach / Suzyn Waldman's replacement, unless he somehow convinces ESPN to let him on their broadcast A-team over Joe Morgan, him and Jon Miller would be nicccee

So I guess Rick Sutcliffe after a few pops doesn't do it for you eh?

[Jdkush10]

Originally Posted by Boogiedown Bomber

So I guess Rick Sutcliffe after a few pops doesn't do it for you eh?

Good God, no. Sutcliffe is a boner.

I love it when Hersisher is commentating. Isn't too opinionated, doesn't seem to "talk down" to the audience like Joe Morgan sometimes does (though I like Morgan for the most part), and has very good, insightful observations and comments. Fire Sutcliffe, make Hershiser work double-time!

[chanman7483]

Isn't Orel the pitching coach for Texas?

[knickfan23]

Originally Posted by chanman7483

Isn't Orel the pitching coach for Texas?

He used to be last year. He gave that up to back to broadcasting because he had been doing it for a little while.

[knickfan23]

Originally Posted by cupcollector99

He's probably going to get gobbled up as a pitching coach or manager by next year.

He quit as the Rangers pitching coach after last season.

[TheBamTino24]

I agree that Hershiser is the best analyst right now on Baseball Tonight.

[brosiusbuddy]

Originally Posted by KevinBaseball

He was good, but his 15 minute explanation of how to give signs with a runner on second was tedious, I thought he was going to go on forever.

I'll take that over Brantley or Sutcliffe drooling over NY's opponents any time. I agree that Hershiser was a good commentator. He made Berman tolerable.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Boogiedown Bomber

So I guess Rick Sutcliffe after a few pops doesn't do it for you eh?

He was a special guest that time, I am always for special guests with BAC > .15 out of general principle

[yanksrule69]

I watched the ESPN feeds Thursday and Friday over the EI feeds. He was really interesting and shared a lot more insight than most color guys do.

[whalers]

This guy knows too much about baseball to be just a color guy. I guess a team will pick him up by next season.

[KLJ]

any talk is too much talk.. the mute on and sirius hits 1.. that's the way to watch a game..

[Yanks Lifer]

I agree, as good as he's done in the booth I see him as an excellent pitching coach and possible manager. Almost ironic that such a modest, sort of frail looking guy has Bulldog for a nickname.

[Summer of 1941]

Makes me wish I had ESPN. (Canada here.)

I've been looking forward to hearing him. Other than Dave Van Horne and Ken Singleton (who I grew up with, basically), I often find broadcasters either too silly (Remy and Orsilio for Boston), too aggravatingly agenda-laden (Mr Kay?) or just plain unlistenable (I spent some months in Houston in late 1994 and early 1995, and listening to the Astros broadcasters made me want to cry. They sounded like they should be calling little league).

I hear people talk about Vin Scully, or Ernie Harwell, and I wish I'd had the opportunity.

On the other hand, I did get to listen to Harry Caray. Not exactly a privilege I'll treasure.

[jlw1980]

Orel Hershiser is SO much better than Joe Morgan, who totally talks down to everyone. He's an obnoxious know-it-all. I really like Hershiser. He's a classy guy.

[Mattpat11]

I really like Orel.