FSN Hearing the Criticism?

[Phhhl]

I am starting to wonder if the broadcasting team on the tv side are starting to hear the criticisms of fans in regards to George Grande's "impartiality". Not to beat a dead horse, but I have noticed Chris Welsh stepping up on several occasions recently to amend Grande's comments. Specifically, I will cite Saturday evening, when Grande began to lament Pujols' injury as a major blow to the Cardinals. Welsh quickly interjected that, to paraphrase, on one hand, you want to beat the best. On the other, this could be the type of break the Reds need to get back in the race.

In the Cubs series, I distinctly remember Grande reciting and tear-jerking essay on the injuries to Derrick Lee, Prior and Wood. Again, Welsh quickly replied that it was an oppurtunity to bury them.

Again, in the Brewer series, Grande complained that starting pitcher David Bush couldn't quite rediscover the "magic" that helped him shut out the Reds earlier in the year in Milwaukee. Even more tragically, Ben Sheets was on the dl, and "you know his story"... having dominated the Reds regularly in his "brilliant" career. Welsh amended those comments by his partner to say that he hoped such misfortune kept visiting the Brewers so long as the Reds had to play them.

There have been more examples. To me, it is clear that Chris either has a feel for how the game is being presented by his partner, or word has come from up top to extinguish some of the hero worship of our opponents by our broadcasting team. I am by no means an advocate of sugar coating anything. I am a big fan of Marty's, for instance, even as he comes under attack for justifiable criticism. But, I wonder if anyone else has noticed a change in the tone of the television team?

I think the entire franchise is beginning to turn the corner. This may be a byproduct, however insignifigant it may seem on the surface.

[reds44]

I don't mind Welsch (besides his goofy fake smile) but Grande, to me, is awful. We could do better.

[WVRedsFan]

I'm not a big fan of the Creeper. In fact, his babbling gets on my nerves, but for the life of me I cannot understand how he could put up with George Grande's blithering worship of the opposition night after night.

I very seriously doubt that Bob C. has said anything to the media members of the Reds' broadcast teams. It's not his style. You have to be careful with the media. BC knows this and I imagine if changes are made it will be at contract time. I just think Chris has had enough.

[jimbo]

I don't have any problems with George and Chris. This team has had some horrible tv commentators over the years but I don't put these two in that category. I think they do a good job. Maybe it's because I don't listen as much as I watch.

[roby]

The game this afternoon (Sunday) sounded more like the Albert PULL-HOLTZ Show than a Reds game. Grande tries every way he can to get on the subject of Puhols and the Cardinals. I tend to agree that Welsh is probably getting sick of it. Did anyone else here Welsh say something to the effect..."Well that's curious, George..." It caused Grande to go totally silent for several minutes. I kinda like Welsh!

[jhiller21]

Welsch has seemed a bit more frustrated with George this season. It seems like he never wastes a chance to correct Grande, when he used to just bite his lip and move on.

[pedro]

I think Welsh would be OK if paired with a human.

[Cedric]

He got it! He got it!

My friends still call me after everyone of George's goofy calls. It's pure comedic brilliance.

Remember Griffey's 500th homer? The ball hits the bat and all you hear is George going "HEYYY!"

It's comic gold.

[Hap]

Another Grande-bashing thread......

I will continue to feed the monster.....

Grande showed absolutely no excitement at all when Freel hit the 11th inning home run. He acted like it was a routine pop fly. I'm not sure he even knew the ball was a homer. He certainly failed to understand the magnitude of a series sweep against a hated rival that is directly behind The Reds in the standings. He then segued into a dissertation about a home run that (Sir) Albert Pujols hit at Minute Maid Park during the 2005 season.

Maybe he and Rick Sutcliffe have been out golfing...

[dman]

Originally Posted by Hap

Another Grande-bashing thread......

I will continue to feed the monster.....

Grande showed absolutely no excitement at all when Freel hit the 11th inning home run. He acted like it was a routine pop fly. I'm not sure he even knew the ball was a homer. He certainly failed to understand the magnitude of a series sweep against a hated rival that is directly behind The Reds in the standings. He then segued into a dissertation about a home run that (Sir) Albert Pujols hit at Minute Maid Park during the 2005 season.

Maybe he and Rick Sutcliffe have been out golfing...

I don't think this is a Grande bashing thread. This here is stuff that FSN refuses to address with Grande, so Welsh is starting to throw some of Grande's crap right back at him. I think it's a great thing.

[zombie-a-go-go]

Originally Posted by dman

I don't think this is a Grande bashing thread. This here is stuff that FSN refuses to address with Grande, so Welsh is starting to throw some of Grande's crap right back at him. I think it's a great thing.

True dat. I'm only surprised that it took this long for Welsh to tell Grande "stuff it."

[BuckWoody]

I'm with everyone who is really annoyed with George but I may part with the majority on Welsh. I really like the Creeper...even with his cheesy grin and his porn-star mustache. He is very personable and does have some nice insight into the game and, as pointed out here, he will call Grande out from time to time and do it in a very reasonable manner.

[CySeymour]

Well, this is the first time my cable carrier has had Reds games on FSN, and I love being able to actually see some games. Welsh is fine, and I think if he were teamed with a better PBP guy, he would be tremendous. However, Grande is awful. He's almost as bad as Ken Wilson back in the mid 80's, and I would always turn the sound down on him!

[TeamBoone]

Originally Posted by Hap

Grande showed absolutely no excitement at all when Freel hit the 11th inning home run. He acted like it was a routine pop fly. I'm not sure he even knew the ball was a homer.

He sounded pretty excited to me!

[registerthis]

Originally Posted by TeamBoone

He sounded pretty excited to me!

I'll tell you who weren't excited--the 'Stros announcers:

"And here's the pitch to Freel...and it's a high fly ball to left field...(said with same level of excitement one might use when announcing that the weather is partly cloudy) and that's over the fence, the Reds take a two run lead...(10-15 second pause) and here's Felipe Lopez."