October 19, 2006

McCarverisms, 2006 Edition, pt deux

Tim McCarver, the scrivener of baseball announcers. Like some 10th grade lit chick, he's never found a metaphor he couldn't mix.

Which brings me to tonight's choice McCarverism.

Game 7, Top of the 9th, 1 out.

"The catch, by the way, of Eric Chavez was right in front of that sponsored sign in left field, 'The strength to be there.' And was he ever there."

After an uncomfortable silence that must have been filled by some words in his earplug from the guys out in the truck, McPlug follows it up with:

"Endy Chavez - I beg your pardon."

At least we know he's got his priorities straight - get the plugs in and worry about the player's names later.

UPDATE, 11:34 P.M.: McCarver once again has outdone himself!!! Bottom of the ninth, no outs, Endy Chavez singles to left to put two men on. McAnnouncer interjects:

"Chris Floyd was on deck. He'll be called back, or will he be called back?"

I pause the broadcast immediately and begin playing the it over and over again to make sure I heard it right. I listen to it no less than 10 times until I am positively sure he called Cliff Floyd, "Chris" Floyd.

Someone cut this man off.

And right after I let the Tivo roll, my ears hear Joe Buck do exactly that.

The Cardinals, understandably nervous, convene a conference at the mound. McAnnouncer must be getting an earful from the booth right about now because suddenly we're treated to Joe Buck providing a bit of color.

"Instead of sending somebody up there more adept at bunting, like a Woodward or an Anderson Henandez, Adam Wainwright will be in a battle with Cliff Floyd."

I swear it was Buck's emphasis and not mine!

With McCarver still muzzled, Luis Gonzalez chimes in, "Boy I tell you what, this has been an exciting game 7 to have out there."

And just to be sure, Buck follows it up with, "No sacrifices this year... for Cliff Floyd."

Again, I swear that's Buck's emphasis and not mine!!!

Someone send that guy a press guide.

4 comments:

Andrew said...

My favorite was when he said something about how David Eckstein, like all of us, has 20 digits and has been hit in 4 of them this postseason, Buck said, "When you started that, I was real interested to see where you were gonna go with it." But what made it really great was McCarver responding, "Me, too."

Anonymous said...

A press guide? Hell with that...send him an AA brochure.

John said...

how David Eckstein, like all of us, has 20 digits.

Ah, ah, ah. Like most of us. I, personally, was sort of waiting for an Antonio Alfonseca reference.

Jon Stebbins said...

My all-time favorite McCarverism (as a Sox fan - and therefore a McCarver hater) has to be Brandon Arroyo, in the 2004 World Series. COME ON!! Is it that hard to remember the word Bronson?? As in, "Charles Bronson," the man he was named after??? I still call Bronson by the nickname "Brandon" to this day.