Dick Enberg is Chairman, Walton's on the advisory board.

http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/aboutus.html

Walton over Harry Kalas? Seriously?

How pissed is Milo Hamilton that he finished behind Haray Caray?

How is Pat Summerall not higher on the list?

Howard Cosell at #5 seems way too high. I'm not a Cosell-hater, and he did have a couple of extremely notable accomplishments: MNF, of course, and his boxing coverage.

But you're talking top five of all time. It takes a lot to push people like McKay, Jackson, and Harwell further down the list. I'd put Cosell somewhere in the teens, I think.

Whew, I was worried that Michael Kay would be showing up.

How many more years until Gus Johnson makes this list?

Any list lacking Rick Jeanneret is a farce.

Sadly, it seems like that Gus Johnson won't make the list until he is the lead announcer for everything at CBS, drinks before every telecast, and develops a holier-than-thou attitude....

How can anyone be considered one of the 50 best sportscasters of all time when you're only 39-years old? (See Buck, Joseph F.)

I know I'm going to get nailed for this but I can not stand Harry Kalas. The first time I heard a Phills game it was painful to listen to him. Personally just can not bear to listen to a game with him on

Any list that puts Chris Berman ahead of Marty freakin' Brennaman is a load of shit.

Of course, since it has Joe Buck on it, we already knew it was a load of shit anyway.

Walton, Chris Berman? Where this people high or something when they made this list? those 2 dont't belong on any list that ranks the top sportscasters. And like another poster mentioned, Where is Pat Summersll on this list? I think he should be on this list, and Howard Cossell #5? Did Howard come form the gret behyong and vote for himself? Come on. I think Howard belons on this list, but not #5.

Bob Costas above Keith Jackson? Time to go cry myself back to sleep

Why in the HELL is Joe Buck on that list...

no Bob Uecker but Joe Buck is on the list?

Harry Kalas BELOW Joe Buck tells you that this list is complete and total BS!

Joe Buck better than Harry the K?

In what universe?

List = fail!

I'm showing my age here, but Jim Nantz couldn't carry either Chris Schenkel's or Chuck Thompson's microphone; or Ray Scott's, for that matter. IMO, he is way overrated, and is almost as bland as Vanilla Ice Tirico.

I'm showing my age here, but Jim Nantz couldn't carry either Chris Schenkel's or Chuck Thompson's microphone; or Ray Scott's, for that matter. IMO, he is way overrated, and is almost as bland as Vanilla Ice Tirico.

So I'm guessing Pam Ward was like #51?

Berman, Joe Buck, and Madden above Harry Kalas. I know I shouldn't take this so seriously, but I think I just died a little inside.

Bermsn donesn't belong on this list period. If this list ranked who's the biggest putz in sportscastign, Berman would win a land slide.

Berman

Where is Lon Simmons?

You do have to love the fact that Walton is even above Dukie V.

Hawk Harrelson?

At least Joe Morgan isn't on the list.

That'd be worse than Berman and Joe Buck being on it.

no Skip Caray? no Verne Lundquist?

Harry Kalas wuz ROBBED!!!
The guy only has one of the most signature voices not only in baseball but as the voice of NFL Films and Bill Walton and Chris "who the fuck is that" Schneckel are ahead of him.

Puhleeze...
In the words of Dick Cheney "Go Fuck yourself"

Bob Costas is a flatulent blowhard and smug self-important d*****bag. Despite what these pompous asses think ... give me a local sports guy over these "national voices." Chris Schenkel doing the Gifford Giants. Skip Caray doing the Braves bad & good. Ernie Harwell with the Tigers. Joe Buck, please, he's smarminess personified. "I'm too cool for the game." I know lists are made to prompt debate but the only debate I have is whether to use my left or right hand to wipe my ass with it.

Whoa! I completely forgot about Verne Lundquist. Thanks for reminding me Anon @ 3:14. Yeah, the fact that Berman is on the list at 35 and Lundquist isn't on it at all is a real shame.

And believe me, as a Phillies fan, it pains me greatly to see Harry Kalas behind Joe Buck. Ugh. Harry the K has one of the most signature and recognizable voices in all of sports.

I don't have a problem with Bob Costas being on this list at all. I think he belongs there. The problem that I have with this list is, that Fat dope Berman is on it. Along with Bill Walton. I said it before and I"ll say it agian, This 2 dunkies don't belong on this list.

UECKER? Where the Hell is Mr. Baseball, Robert Uecker? I am ashamed and appalled at this list for not including him.

I'm glad to see Jim got "nailed" (as he predicted he would for dissing Harry the K.) If you're not a Phillies fan, fine. But, respect one of the great voices of our time. That's what this list is really about.

no Greg Gumbel?

Hey where is Marty B. He is a treat to listen to everynight with the reds on 700 wlw The nations station.

It's an old boys club. No Women. No minorities.

Bob Costas is a total piece of crap! Where's Charlie Jones, a vastly underrated announcer.

Agree with Charlie Jones, he was a legend. I personally wish Dick Stockton was higher on this list.

When you talk about the days of the NBA on CBS, he is the first thing that comes to mind.

Walton? c'mon....

Van Gundy >>>> Walton
ESPN CMU alum doing CMU games with Pam Ward >>>>>> Berman

How is Mike Emrick not on this list?

There should at least be 1 token hockey guy. I get that it's not as popular as the other 3, but to flat out ignore it is ridiculous.

Two words... Kevin. Harlan.

No Billy Packer... I'm good with the list then.

Man - if you're going to throw a token hockey announcer on there - give me Danny Gallivan or Jim Robson or Dan Kelly or even Mike Emerick over Foster Hewitt.

/basically agree with the need for Lundquist
//And there needs to be a special honorary spot for John Facenda

How does Suzyn Waldman gets snubbed?

Ron Wolfley and Gus Johnson should be on this list...no lie..those guys are sick

@ nikralm17: I hope you're being sarcastic...

Judging by such things as Cosell at #5, I suspect "importance" or "controversy" was a criterion. Having Buck and Berman on the list seems about right in that context; considering Buck's importance to Fox having him so far behind names like Michaels and Enberg is probably being fair to people's criticisms of him. He could be moved behind Musberger, though. I might even argue that Boomer should be higher, if he even qualifies as a broadcaster, since he's FAR more a highlight-hawk, and where's Stu Scott and Olbermann and Patrick in that case?

"Importance"/"controversy" also explains Bill Walton.

I'm SHOCKED Jon Miller is in the top 20 right behind Harry Caray.

Mike Joy, Ned Jarrett or Ken Squier (or, from the Bill Walton camp, Darrell Waltrip)? What about LA Kings announcer Bob Miller? Marv Albert above Chick Hearn?

Wow - I guess Wisconsin must be too small of a market to be on the list.

How about Bob Uecker & Jim Powell of the Milwaukee Brewers? How about Wayne Larrivee of the Green Bay Packers?

Snubbed!

IWB you must not be very old because Wisco is very well represented... Ray Scott, Merle Harmon they both called games here. I do agree that uke shouyld be on this list. But anything list that has Berman on it, that is not for most played out one trick pony of sports broadcasting is a complete joke.

@Nuk- Dan Kelly was the shiznit back when the NHL was on network TV. He was great.

Bill King - former Raiders, A's, Warriors announcer - is, for those who have heard him, unbelievably absent not just from this list, but from the top 10 of this list. The man had such a way about him; a true Raider, when the phrase actually meant something.

Noseratu - You beat me to the punch. Bill King was excellent on three sports. Great enthusiasm and he was able to tell great stories without forgetting to describe the game. I loved listening to him on A's games and his call on the "Holly Roller" against the Chargers is still one of the greatest calls I've ever heard.

No Merrill Reese. Thirty years of Eagles football and he gets snubbed. He should be on the list instead of Hamburger.

One hockey announcer made the list and his best call occurred in the USSR in 1972. 'He Scores!!! Henderson has scored for Canada!!' Meanwhile, where is Bob Cole? Or Dick Irvin? Most people would ask 'Who?' Some of the famous voices on Hockey Night In Canada.

Chick is #21? what the fuck?


at least they got #1 right

No Verne Lundquist? What an outrage!

McEnroe's brother

Two words: Dave Niehaus.

Just my opinion but...

No way should Gowdy and Cosell be in the top 10 or even 20.

I'm glad they listed some of the "old-timers" like Stern, McNamee, Husing and McCarthy.

A few too many baseball "shills" for my liking, including: Caray, Hodges, Rizzuto and Prince. In pro basketball, Most was about the most obnoxious homer there ever was, with Hearn a close second.

Bill Walton? Please.

Some of the guys at the end of the list I would not have included: Harmon, Kubek and Stockton -- never did wonders.

If there's one guy I would have included re: baseball, it would have been the late Bob Murphy, longtime voice of the Mets.

There are some glaring hockey omissions; namely, Dan Kelly and Doc Emrick. Another versatile pbp guy very underrated was Jim Gordon, who for many years broadcast Ranger TV and Giant radio games. I was glad to see Marty Glickman and Bob Wolff get their due.

Aside from Enberg, who for several years broadcast UCLA hoops, are there any other college voices on this list (and don't give me network guys like Nantz or Dickie V). I would submit the name Cawood Ledford, longtime voice of Kentucky basketball.

So many thoughts, so little space:

If Joe Buck is on the list, then I should be too! I've called enough exciting games at age 24 (note the sarcasm). Add me to those who are crying shenanigans over my hero, Harry the K, being 10 notches lower than Joseph Buck. It's a horrible act and it's a shame it had to be on AA's air...yeah.

Okay, seriously, here's a name no one brought up: Gene Hart. The greatest American born hockey announcer ever, not on the list. If Foster can get on, then why not Gene?

In the end though, the debate is fun and every top XX list is always going to be up for fodder. Though I think most of us can agree on one thing, they come no better than Vin Scully at number 1.

The fact they left Don Criqui off the list gives this list complete credibility.

I'd rather stuff wheat chaff in my ears than listen to Harry Kalas' drone.

Two words: Myron Cope.

A little too "Flyerish" for me; still, Gene Hart had a great voice. I'd also include the Sabres' first broadcaster, the late Ted Darling...never heard one call hockey as effortlessly as he did, was honored posthumously to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

I think Madden gets way too much props as a pro football analyst. The best I ever saw was Paul Christman -- he and Gowdy made a great team back in the AFL days. Christman had a way of making his points succinct and on target.

Agreed. Listening to Gene Hart wasn't even like being at the game, it was like being on the ice and having to get out of the way of an oncoming check...

The most over rated commentators on this list are Al Micheals and Jim Nantz. They have zero ability to make a football game sound exciting.

Brent Musberger is under rated in my opinion.

Two glaring omissions: the first was noted above: Verne Lundquist. The voice of the SEC on CBS, has also had some great moments at the Masters, and who can forget his work calling the Kentucky-Duke NCAA regional final (Laettner's buzzer-beater)?

The other? Ron Franklin. There is NO ONE at the WWL better than this guy. A unheralded pro.

How in the world is Harry Kalas not in the top 10? Voice of the Phils and NFL Films!! This guy is a national treasure.

For Chris Berman to even make this list shows how much of a joke this list is.

He belongs on the 50 WORST broadcasters of all time.

Jon Miller shouldn't even be spoken in the same sentence with names like Albert, Caray, and Hearn. Hearn at 21 is a sham, his play by play was a thing of beauty. "It's in the refrigerator," anyone? This is classic.

No Dan Hicks? Thank Heaven!
No Johnny Miller? Double Thank Heaven! Miller couldn't hold a sand iron compared to Ken Venturi on golf analysis.

Another not on the list but who ought to be: Tom Hammond. Best there is in track & field, a treat to listen to every four years come Olympics time. Unfortunately for Tom, he has to call crappy ND football, and he's sure witnessed his share of stinkers in recent years.

The fact that Bill Walton is even on the list, proves the list is terrible! Bill Walton is the worst commentator in the history of professional television!

Pat Summerall? "I beg your pardon..."

Merrill Reese is as "Eagleish" as Gene Hart was "Flyerish." Call it a draw.

Bob Cole on HNIC? Definitely! From a production standpoint, HNIC puts Versus and NBC to shame.

I can't beleive that Mike Emrick isn't on this list. He is the most exciting announcers in sports.He make the simplest play exciting. He just doesn't do hockey he also has done college basketball in the past.
I also have to mention that I really enjoy Dick Enberg. He has done some memorable AFC Playoff games in the past. I always enjoy every game he does. OH MY!

Anybody who makes such a list without including Dave Niehaus doesn't know what they're talking about. Move Harry Caray higher (certainly over Marv Albert), and insert Niehaus right behind Harry. Need to make room? take out Bob Costas.

To the poster who mentioned NASCAR announcers, you're spot on. Auto racing is a challenge to call, and these guys do it well.

Sid Collins, the longtime voice of the Indy 500, was another legendary voice.

Switching gears -- one of the most colorful basketball announcers not on the list was Les Keiter ("the arithmetic reads", "in-again-out-again-Finnegan" (ball rattling in-and-out), "like a motorcycle in a motordrome" (ball going round & round in the cylinder). He was a hoot back in the old TVS days, precursor to NCAA hoops coverage on NBC and later CBS.

Another great "old" basketball TV voice was Jim Thacker. Called many a thrilling ACC tournament game in the 60s and 70s with that folksy drawl of his, when the ACC tourney was the be-all and end-all -- and a lot of great teams saw their seasons end w/o going to the NCAAs (for so many years prior to expansion, only the ACC champion qualified).

Harry Kalas at 41 is a joke. He is one of the best in the history of the MLB and it's too bad he started calling games for the NFL...it's just not the same. Even when the Fightins' were terrible the one constant was the passion and excitement Harry kept for the team and the game of baseball. World Champs baby!

Where's Gary Thorne??????

Sarc on, no list is complete without the fluidity, the sheer smoothness of one Emmitt Smith. Now there is an announcer for the ages. And as soon as he takes the marbles out of his mouth, maybe I can understand.

Berman? please

Where is Gary Thorne, a great hockey announcer, and not American but the two greatest announcers of all time, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen calling cycling. I know, I know, but just listen a couple times if you can.

Chick Hearn was and always will be by far the greatest sports announcer there ever was. Also an honorable mention should go out to spanish soccer announcer Andres Cantor....he should be somewhere in the top 50

can anyone explain why Jon Miller is on this list? Maybe it's just me, but I cannot stand the guy. I love watching sunday night baseball on ESPN, but I mute the TV more often than not. Maybe it's not so much that I hate Jon Miller, but pairing him with the god awful Joe Morgan is just not working.

Where is Van Miller "...and he's in for the touchdown!" or Rick Jeanneret "...top shel where momma hides the cookies."

Harry Kalas is WAY better than that terrible joe buck and chris berman. Harry the K is a top twenty easily. Gary throne should be on the list too.

Where is Bob Murphy???

Mr. Baseball himself? Bob FREAKING Uecker? Where is this God among boys? Obviously, you never heard him call a game on the radio or TV. Berman is awful as a Sportscaster and he is NOT a Broadcaster. Horrible.

This list is terrible. Two of the best football announcers, Myron Cope and Larry Munson, aren't even on it.

Where is Don Cherry???

Van Miller...I second that! Great longtime pbp voice of the Bills, also did pbp for the old Buffalo Braves. Van was "the man" though when it came to doing Bills games.

Dunno 'bout RJ...he's OK but he drives me nuts not giving more time/score updates during broadcasts (esp. on radio).

Whoever said Myron Cope should even be associated with great announcing should be taken out back of the woodshed. A total Steeler shill. Guy couldn't put together one coherent thought (um, hah!). There were times I never knew what was going on because Hillgrove would flub calls and Myron couldn't pick him up (Ilkin is an improvement in that regard, why Hillgrove is still pbp on Steelers radio is beyond me, he's terrible).

just looking at all the names in the comments people have made so far makes me feel kinda spoiled to live in philly. harry kalas, gene hart, mike emerick, merril reese. all have or still do broadcasts for philly teams. i ve been listening to these guys my whole life and now realize how lucky we philly fans are to be able to have heard these great vocies over the years. and by the way, this list is a joke. chris berman?? and no verne lundqvuist? idiots.

Glad Gary Thorne didn't make this list. Too much of a screamer for my liking, especially football.

I like Kalas, but it's soon time for him to retire and my hope is he'll do it on his terms and not be forced out.
Scully has cut back on his travel in deference to his age...if I'm not mistaken and please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this upcoming season "it" for Vin in the booth?

Some of these folks are out of my radar so I'll assume they are by and large local announcers for teams. Given that, I'd like to show some props for the late, great Bill King OAKLAND Raiders, WARRIORS sometime Oakland A's. One-of-a-kind ol' Bill was.

Anon @ 1:45, we definitely have had some great broadcasters in Philly over the years. I know they were often the only thing that got me through some dreadful seasons, particularly Harry and Whitey with the Phils

Harry should be much higher than 41 given his total body of work (Phillies, NFL Films, Notre Dame football, Westwood One, etc). Even now, although age has definitely caught up to him quite a bit, it's just not Phillies baseball without Harry

What no Bob Uecker?!?!?!
He made Brewer games bearable in the 90's and still does a great job today!

harry kalas should be ranked much higher

If Bill is on the list Magic ought to be too!

Chris Berman doesn't even deserve to read this list, none the less be on it.

My top five, in no particular order, are Chick Hearn, Vin Scully, Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson and Dick Enberg. Chick at 21 is ridiculous.

Bill Walton in this list...Are you kidding me? Walton should be listed in the bottom 10 of all time next to Dan Dierdorf.

No Mike Lange from the Pittsburgh Penguins broadcasts?...they guy is legend

Harry Kalas #41 are you fucking kidding me

Al McGuire...best NCAA basketball color man by far. When he was teamed up with Enberg on NBC, I'd watch the game just to listen to them.

Im just glad that Joe Morgan and Tim "Im the dumbest former baseball player that seems to know nothing about baseball, when annoucning a game" MCarver off the list

It's a measure of Vin Scully's greatness that nobody has a problem with him at Number One.

Other thoughts: Marv Albert should be higher, Jon Miller should be higher, Bob Costas should be lower, and Mike Breen should be on the list. Breen is extremely knowledgeable, technically sound, enthusiastic, and very funny.

Chris Berman and Bill Walton in the same list as Harry Kalas? I'm surprised that you didn't include Bill Russell or Les Keiter! I can't comment on Dick Vitale as I have to change the channel as soon as I hear his loud phony voice.

Joe Buck?!? Give me a break. He's an arrogant, obnoxious, racist. He should probably be on the worst 50 of all time.

What the hell? where is Bob Uecker, his announcing in Major League should get him on the list. Not to mention countless years announcing for the Brewers.

Bob Ufer should be on it.

where's bob sheridan?

Don Crique .... if he is not one of the top 50 then the list has other agendas

Summerall's voice meant BIG GAME for how many years? And you never had to turn him down...

Marty Brenneman should be docked because his son was so horrible during the National Championship the other night...

Just noticed... BERMAN... over anybody, let alone Summerall, makes this list irrelevant. BERMAN?!? A great broadcaster doesn't try to make himself more important than the game. Berman thinks he's more important than the game...

What no Suzyn Waldman or John Sterling? Come on!

What about Uecker? No love for the "front row?"

Foster Hewitt at #40? Wow! I guess hockey really is a Canadian thing.
Dan

Where's Brian Baldinger?

YOU MEAN HE DIDN'T MAKE THE LIST?????? :P

I can't argue with the top 3 because they worked when baseball was king. My biggest disagreement is Jim Mckay at #7. Howard was a sensationalist and self-promoter. Bob Costas is the Dick Clark of sports broadcasting and Curt Gowdy could and did broadcast anything. But Jim Mckay communicated to the world the biggest sports story ever when it crossed over into international politics. What other sportscaster communicated with more insight, dignity, and humility while covering murder and terrorism at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Games? How does that match up with a game-winning homerun, a gigantic hockey internation upset, or Super Bowl touchdown drive? And not just a single broadcast but over several gut-wrenching days and nights! I was only 13 years old in 1972 and it took a sports tragedy and Jim Mckay to introduce me to the real world and all its complexities and injustice. I wasn't sure what terrorism and terrorists hoped to and could accomplish. But when I saw and heard Mckay's eyes and voice announce the deaths of the athletes, my innocence was gone forever. Fairness in sports? Hopefully so, because without sports, we would have to face daily the unfairness that life has to offer. Jim Mckay set the bar pretty damn high for all others to follow.

Joe Buck is by far the worst overall human being on that list. Nevermind sportscaster...

Where is Doc Emrick?

Bill Walton? Bill Walton? And where is Myron Cope? An eccentric, acquired taste I know but ....

Really? No Larry Munson?

what no BOB UFER? the greatest" mechigan "football has never been the same

cawood.ledford.

Strongly disagree with the inclusion of Bud Collins and Bill Walton. Tennis is too irrelevant of a sport to garner an announcer on the list. Bill Walton is terrible.

Bob Costas is very overrated, though, he deserves to be on the list. Brent Musberger, Pat Summeral, and Harry Kalas are grossly underrated. The exclusion of Verne Lundquist from the list is baffling.

the greatest omission here, by a landslide, is the late, great Charlie Jones. 2nd-greatest omission: Bill King. most underrated - Brent Musberger & Chris Schenkel, both of whom should have cracked the Top 10-15. most-ridiculous inclusion: Walton. Might-As-Well put Jerry Garcia in there, too ...