There can't be a worse announcer than the Tampa guy

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by cj

What would you consider "that bad" then?

good point.

I guess it is that bad, for whatever reason i kind of like the guy and it doesn't grate my nerves.

[lamboguy]

Originally Posted by camourous

I mute pretty much every race i watch on the computer, the announcers are awful in every part of the country.

not that long ago you could watch Keeneland, they never even had an announcer.

[turninforhome10]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

not that long ago you could watch Keeneland, they never even had an announcer.

My friend T-Red who used to train horses before they had an announcer had a an owner with some pretty nice stock, who refused to run at Keeneland because of that. He was deaf and said he would not run where he could'nt "see" the horses.

[horses4courses]

Every time a thread is started that criticizes a race caller, Vic Stauffer has always jumped in to defend them.
I can understand his loyalty to his peers, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Terry Wallace bore the brunt of critics before being replaced at Oaklawn,
and now that track is much better off with Frank Mirahmadi doing the calls.

Since simulcasting took off, and off-track handle has grown compared to the live equivalent, race callers are more important than ever in projecting an image to outside customers. If Richard Grunder is how Tampa wants to run it's business, then so be it.
For those of you who bet the track (I do not), would you actually bet more there if they had a different race caller? I tend to doubt it.

Personally, I look upon race callers like sports referees. Of course, you need them, but they are not the reason why you are watching that race.
Less can be more when it comes to race commentary. I get enjoyment from watching a race unfold, paying attention to saddle cloths and silk colors. Often, I'm not really listening to the race caller at all.

Where a race caller really scores points with me, though, is when he spots something I have not. That late closer coming from out of the clouds that I didn't spot nearing the quarter pole. Or, when a jockey is sitting motionless with a horse and a half underneath him.
That's an innate quality that the best race callers have. That's why they are paid for what they do so well - they are professionals.
It's definitely not an easy job but, after 27 years, maybe it's time for Tampa Bay Downs to consider change in the booth?

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by lamboguy

not that long ago you could watch Keeneland, they never even had an announcer.

I remember that, lambo.
We handled Keeneland in our racebook in Tahoe with the signal up on the big screen.
They break from the gate.....and.......total silence! It was eerie.

Didn't last long, though, in the simulcasting world.
They had a race caller within a year, or so.
Late 1980s, I'm thinking.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by camourous

I mute pretty much every race i watch on the computer, the announcers are awful in every part of the country.

Perhaps rather than a mute button you might want to purchase a passport.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by horses4courses

Every time a thread is started that criticizes a race caller, Vic Stauffer has always jumped in to defend them.
I can understand his loyalty to his peers, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

Terry Wallace bore the brunt of critics before being replaced at Oaklawn,
and now that track is much better off with Frank Mirahmadi doing the calls.

Since simulcasting took off, and off-track handle has grown compared to the live equivalent, race callers are more important than ever in projecting an image to outside customers. If Richard Grunder is how Tampa wants to run it's business, then so be it.
For those of you who bet the track (I do not), would you actually bet more there if they had a different race caller? I tend to doubt it.

Personally, I look upon race callers like sports referees. Of course, you need them, but they are not the reason why you are watching that race.
Less can be more when it comes to race commentary. I get enjoyment from watching a race unfold, paying attention to saddle cloths and silk colors. Often, I'm not really listening to the race caller at all.

Where a race caller really scores points with me, though, is when he spots something I have not. That late closer coming from out of the clouds that I didn't spot nearing the quarter pole. Or, when a jockey is sitting motionless with a horse and a half underneath him.
That's an innate quality that the best race callers have. That's why they are paid for what they do so well - they are professionals.
It's definitely not an easy job but, after 27 years, maybe it's time for Tampa Bay Downs to consider change in the booth?

I'm here. Watching and reading. So easy for people to say things like " 27 years in the booth maybe Tampa should consider a change "

Imagine how you'd feel if in the same boast and people were posting in a public forum to fire you after almost 3 decades of putting your heart and soul into every day you come to work?

Sometimes I really hate the internet.

[turninforhome10]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I'm here. Watching and reading. So easy for people to say things like " 27 years in the booth maybe Tampa should consider a change "

Imagine how you'd feel if in the same boast and people were posting in a public forum to fire you after almost 3 decades of putting your heart and soul into every day you come to work?

Sometimes I really hate the internet.

Felt the same way when people were bashing Terry Wallace.

[cj]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I'm here. Watching and reading. So easy for people to say things like " 27 years in the booth maybe Tampa should consider a change "

Imagine how you'd feel if in the same boast and people were posting in a public forum to fire you after almost 3 decades of putting your heart and soul into every day you come to work?

Sometimes I really hate the internet.

Isn't that part of being in the public eye? I mean seriously, the guy is terrible. You can defend him until the cows come home, but it doesn't make him better. Surely they can find another position for him if they want to keep him around. He has been butchering races for years, enough is enough.

[usedtolovetvg]

The internet has exposed the race caller to a lot more people. Most are now watching from the comfort of their own homes. Unlike at the track, the race caller takes on added importance. Because he doesn't see the entire field, the home viewer is relying on the caller to help him understand the way is developing; something you do quite well, Vic. The dynamic has changed over the last few years, in that the home viewer is the most important person watching, listening to and betting the race. As you are well aware, race calling is a highly competitive and well compensated skill. The fans have every right to demand the very best.

[cj]

Apparently, Vic favors the Supreme Court system, appointment for life.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by cj

Isn't that part of being in the public eye? I mean seriously, the guy is terrible. You can defend him until the cows come home, but it doesn't make him better. Surely they can find another position for him if they want to keep him around. He has been butchering races for years, enough is enough.

Lots of racing fans DO NOT think he's terrible.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by cj

Apparently, Vic favors the Supreme Court system, appointment for life.

Vic favors less bashing of passionate colleagues.

[cj]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Lots of racing fans DO NOT think he's terrible.

Oh please. His good calls are marginal at best, and those are maybe 20%. Anybody betting off track and stuck listening to this guy misidentify horses, screw up names, call placings wrong, etc. deserves better.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Originally Posted by bigmack

I've said it before and I'll say it again; Grunder is from the William Conrad school of announcing.

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I'd hate for it to go unposted in a Grunder thread.