Cubs Fans Are Afraid Of Dick Stockton
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Funny item from Rumors and Rants this morning. I've heard of certain refs not being good luck for certain teams, but this is the first time of the same being true for an announcer....
But I forgot about the X-Factor. Being a Fox national game of the week -- but not THE game of the week -- it was none other than Dick Stockton in the booth. And after Saturday's loss, the Cubs dropped to 0-3 in games called by Stockton this season. At least if my memory serves me correctly.If you add to those the three game sweep in the NLDS last year against the Diamondbacks, that makes the team 0 for the last 6 in games Stockton has called. I don't think I've ever heard of that before. What's even more is that the Cubs could very easily draw Dick Stockton again this Playoffs season. I'd be begging for Chip Caray if I were you, Cubbies fans.
According to my charts, that gives the Cubs a six-game losing streak in games announced by Stockton. And that's before confirming the unsubstantiated rumors that he called Game 7 of the 1945 World Series. (Sure, he only would have been 3 at the time, but there was a war on. You never know.)
So as Cub fans try to break down how the team matches up against each prospective playoff opponent, just keep in mind that the biggest name to fear may be the one in the broadcast booth.
If anyone has memory of an "Announcer Jinx" on your team please share it in the comments.
Keep This Dick Away From The Cubs (Rumors and Rants)
15 Comments:
It makes sense considering that Stockton is terrifying. At least he gets to bang Leslie Visser.
Well, over the past 18 years or so, the Reds have lost a majority of the games that were called by Marty Brenamann...
But that may be for a reason other than an "announcer jinx".
This doesn't count because they got the Wild Card & the AL Pennant, but Rod Allen in a game against the Twins in 2006: "Ain't nothin' gonna derail this Motown train this year." He said that when the Tigers were 75-36. They finished 20-31 and lost the division to Minnesota.
Chip Caray isn't exactly golden for the Cubs either. I believe the last time he broadcast regularly for the Cubs, they collapsed down the stretch in 2004 under the weight of expectations and various Dusty machinations.
Tim McCarver...every time I hear him call a game I get sick to my stomach.
It's not an announcer joinx, but the Iowa Hawkeye football team is something like 2-15 all time when they are the National game on ABC...
Uh Stockton did the Bears games against the Eagles and Saints, which were Bear victories. Just Cub fans looking for excuses, like always. Can't wait til the Brewers beat the Cubs in the NLCS. Until Cub fans learn to take responsibility for their own stupidity, the Cubs wll never wn the Pennaant. GUARREN DAMN TINED!
This may be pushing it, but as an Eagles fan I recall the playoff game several years ago between the Eagles and the Bears (2002, I believe) where Dick Stockton announced and the Eagles eliminated the Bears. Maybe there is something to Dick Stockton and Chicago...
On a side note, as an Eagles fan, I can't stand Dick Stockton. In my opinion, he always comes off as anti-Philadelphia. Just my opinion.
I won't be negative here. Rather, as "unlucky" as Stockton is for the Cubs, he's just as lucky for the Celtics. Back when CBS had the NBA, the Celts always won the O'Brien Trophy. I do remember that whenever the late Charlie Jones did Broncos broadcasts on NBC, my Broncs would usually win, so the Cubs should grow a pair and play winning ball. I'm out.
If Randy Cross is in the booth for a Buffalo Bills game, forget about it. The Bills will play like garbage (well, more than usual), and Cross will rail on them the entire broadcast.
I like Dick Stockton, but you know he used to do a lot of 49er football games and they tend to suck when he's doing the games. Maybe there are just some announcers that should be kept away from certain teams.
A couple years ago back when FSN still split announcing duties for the Astros between Larry Dirker and Jim Deshaies, everyone was convinced the disparities in the 'Stros stellar home record and dismal road record was JD's fault. I seem to remember them switching it up and Dierker going on the road and the team having success.
Since then, Dierker's moved on to a book tour and JD is the fulltime color guy. And the Astros are pretty much uniform in their awfulness. So maybe it is JD's fault.
On the other hand, the Cubs are 0-0in games Stockton call accurately.
All Cubs fans know about this; it's the Dick Stockton Curse and it's VERY scary! He also called three straight Bears games on the successive Sundays right after the Cubs were eliminated by Arizona, and the Bears lost all 3 games!
The Dick Stockton Curse LIVES!