Tom Durkin question... - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

Hajck Hillstrom · 08-11-2008, 03:04 PM

A friend of mine and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about Tom Durkin and we were both in agreement that the outstanding calls we had grown accustomed to had fallen off as of late. It almost sounds as if he is phoning it in at times. Today I heard him make an announcement that NASCAR legend Geoff BoDEAN was signing autographs at the Spa. Now, I'm no NASCAR fan, but even I know that his name is pronounced BoDYN, just as it is spelled, Bodine. It is strange to hear one introduce one with "legendary" status and then mispronounce his name.

Don't get me wrong, as I'm not criticizing, his calls are still better than most, but perhaps he had merely set the bar so high that it was impossible to maintain that level of enthusiasm forever.

Are my friend and I alone in this observation, or has anyone else noticed something amiss as of late?

JeremyJet · 08-11-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hajck Hillstrom

Are my friend and I alone in this observation, or has anyone else noticed something amiss as of late?

No, i'm with you on this. His calls suck, IMHO. What's Marshall Cassidy doing these days?

Next to Trevor, John G. Dooley at Arlington Park might be the best out there.

JeremyJet

v j stauffer · 08-11-2008, 05:18 PM

22 Breeders Cups and 1000's of memories and we get his calls suck.

Me thinks that opinion sucks.

But respect your right to share it.

ryesteve · 08-11-2008, 05:24 PM

Haven't there been at least 3 different threads in the past month about recent Durkin calls that people particularly enjoyed?

46zilzal · 08-11-2008, 05:26 PM

Calling race ACCURATELY is tough, calling them as entertainment requires imagination and a strong command of the English language.

DURKIN has mastered BOTH well

Wickel · 08-11-2008, 05:38 PM

How 'bout a few weeks ago when he called "Maurakalana" instead of "Mauralakana." Did anyone catch that?

RichieP · 08-11-2008, 05:40 PM

Once in a while he seems to breathe a bit heavy to me when calling. Concerns me because he is such a big man.

Having said that he is still the best there is. His operatic call a while back was classic!!!

JeremyJet · 08-11-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wickel

How 'bout a few weeks ago when he called "Maurakalana" instead of "Mauralakana." Did anyone catch that?

Hey, Vic, I never said [all] his calls suck. I'm just saying that [at this point in time] he's not what he used to be. [Suck] is kind of harsh, I agree, but I went with it.

You miss Arlington, Vic? Did that [weeping willow] get in your way when calling a race?

JeremyJet

46zilzal · 08-11-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wickel

How 'bout a few weeks ago when he called "Maurakalana" instead of "Mauralakana." Did anyone catch that?

????????

That is not an easy call no matter how you pronounce it.

cj's dad · 08-11-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wickel

How 'bout a few weeks ago when he called "Maurakalana" instead of "Mauralakana." Did anyone catch that?

No- what is your point ?? If thats the worst an announcer does, so what?

Hajck Hillstrom · 08-11-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichieP

Once in a while he seems to breathe a bit heavy to me when calling. Concerns me because he is such a big man.

Youthful enthusiasm often gives way to journeyman experience, but as I get older I find the world leaning precariously to youthful enthusiasm. To paraphrase Vic, "thousands of memorable calls" have built a strong pedistal in which to operate from, and if the masses don't dectect something awry, then by all means Mr. Durkin should indeed carry on the path he has paved.

I've listened to many race calls over the years.... not as many as some, but more than most. My friend and I made our observation out of concern. I sincerely hope that it is a serious case of New York racing overload on our part and not a serious harbinger.

Marshall Bennett · 08-11-2008, 06:19 PM

Durkin is top notch . Doesn't get any better .

point given · 08-11-2008, 07:02 PM

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

What other race caller would/could ever perform such a call and carry it off with aplomb ?

BUD · 08-11-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hajck Hillstrom

A friend of mine and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about Tom Durkin and we were both in agreement that the outstanding calls we had grown accustomed to had fallen off as of late. It almost sounds as if he is phoning it in at times. Today I heard him make an announcement that NASCAR legend Geoff BoDEAN was signing autographs at the Spa. Now, I'm no NASCAR fan, but even I know that his name is pronounced BoDYN, just as it is spelled, Bodine. It is strange to hear one introduce one with "legendary" status and then mispronounce his name.

Don't get me wrong, as I'm not criticizing, his calls are still better than most, but perhaps he had merely set the bar so high that it was impossible to maintain that level of enthusiasm forever.

Are my friend and I alone in this observation, or has anyone else noticed something amiss as of late?

I guess my only objection with this is calling Geoff a legend......Being a life long NASCAR guy.....He is a good guy....a local guy...Legend? No.........................BTW.......I enjoy Mr Durkin....

big frank · 08-11-2008, 09:26 PM

anyone that is going to nitpick Durkins calls is nuts ! Durkin is the best i have heard with Trevor D , Vic S , Luke K [ rest in peace] right there with him. When Durkin retires maybe some people will see how great he is and was.