Broadcasters Playoff Edition: Rays vs. Rangers

The post season is upon us and here is how the ex-players match up in the broadcast booths.

Brian Anderson is finishing his first full season as the Rays color commentator. He pitched on 5 teams in 13 seasons and had an 82-83 record.

Tom Grieve has been broadcasting for the Rangers since 1995. He and his son, Ben Grieve, were both 1st round draft picks. A career .249 hitter, his best year was 1976 when he hit 20 homers with 81 RBIs as a DH on the Texas Rangers. 

Broadcasters Playoff Edition: Cardinals vs. Phillies

The post season is upon us and here is how the ex-players match up in the broadcast booths.

The "Mad Hungarian" vs. "Sarge"

2 great nicknames and the closest match-up as far as playing careers. Hrabosky is remembered for his intimidating ritual on the mound and his Fu-Man-Chu mustache. He was a solid reliever in the mid '70's and led the NL in saves in 1975. But Matthews was Rookie Of the Year in 1973, NLCS MVP in 1983 and was an All Star in 1979.

Broadcasters Playoff Edition: Tigers vs. Yankees

The post season is upon us and here is how the ex-players match up in the broadcast booths.

Paul O'Neill is a 5 time All Star with 5 World Series rings and has appeared on "Seinfeld". Rod Allen hit .220 in 50 MLB at bats but Rod has 2 local Emmy's and a viral video of him chasing a pitcher around while playing in Japan. That's gotta count for something.

Broadcasters Playoff Edition: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers

The post season is upon us and here is how the ex-players match up in the broadcast booths.

As a player the edge goes to Mark Grace who had more hits than any other major leaguer in the '90's. But in the booth Bob Uecker is a Hall of Famer.

1976 Topps Sportscaster Bob Uecker

Bob Uecker had an unremarkable baseball career but is a genuine superstar now. He has been the Milwaukee Brewer's radio broadcaster for over 40 years.  He was a regular on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson appearing over 100 times, starred in a sitcom (Mr. Belvedere) and the "Major League" movies. He has appeared in numerous television shows, movie and commercials.  

If you are of a certain age, I'm sure you remember him in the classic Lite Beer commercials. "I must be in the front row!" 

In 2003 he was given the Ford Frick Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1976 Topps Sportscaster Ron Santo

Last Wednesday at Wrigley Field, the Cubs unveiled a statue of the great Ron Santo. I had originally planned on posting this card as my tribute to Santo.  Actually, I did post it then took it down and replaced it with another card which had a picture of the statue on it. I thought it was a great looking monument and I wanted to get a picture of it on my blog. 

In the process of coming up with a tribute to Ron Santo I stumbled upon a couple different themes that I might explore further. The Sportscaster Card which is based on the 1976 Topps Father-Son cards. Also the Monument Card which for Ron Santo was based on the 1963 Topps card but I think I could use a number of different card styles for that. Most if not every team has a former big-leaguer in the booth and many ballparks have monuments to their hometown heroes.  Lots of possibilities...