Media Approval Ratings: Rich Herrera
We want to know what you guys think of various members of the Rays media coverage. Here are the most recent results. Next up...Rays radio pre- and postgame host Rich Herrera...
As we have stated before, we rarely listen to the Rays' radio broadcasts. Between the "Extra Innings" package, MLB.tv, and the Slingbox (world's greatest invention), we always have the TV broadcast. So we are not sure we would even recognize Herrera's voice.
The only opinion we could find on the interwebs was this piece from Ted Flemming.
From the Rays' website:
So: Do you like Rich Herrera? And let's hear your reasons in the comments...
As we have stated before, we rarely listen to the Rays' radio broadcasts. Between the "Extra Innings" package, MLB.tv, and the Slingbox (world's greatest invention), we always have the TV broadcast. So we are not sure we would even recognize Herrera's voice.
The only opinion we could find on the interwebs was this piece from Ted Flemming.
From the Rays' website:
Rich returns for his fourth season on the Rays Baseball Network as host of the pre- and postgame shows. He also serves as the Rays director of radio operations, running the Rays statewide radio network. Rich came to the Rays from Fox Sports, where he was a national talk show host for the Fox Sports Radio Network and later, a host and program director for Fox Sports Radio in Arizona. He previously worked with the Oakland A’s as their postgame show host from 1998-2000 and spent two years (1996-97) hosting the postgame talk shows for the San Francisco Giants and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors on KKRB. He has also been a member of the Sports USA Radio football crew working as a sideline reporter for their nationally syndicated NFL and NCAA broadcasts the past five seasons. Herrera graduated from California State University.
So: Do you like Rich Herrera? And let's hear your reasons in the comments...
Labels: Media Approval Ratings
posted by The Professor at 1:05 PM
12 Comments:
I *really* don't like Rich Herrera. He consistently stumbles over things he does daily (out-of-town scores, etc), he's frequently dismissive of callers in the postgame (understandably so, in many cases, but, still...it's his job), and he just has an overall annoying quality about him.
I'll admit that Rich has had a tough job over the years, fielding the calls of all the angry fans (in the post game show). However, I find it almost unbearable to listen to him, even after a win. I think he's become so defensive over the years, that he can't let people just speak their mind, and then move the next caller.
If you want to play a drinking game, take a drink every time he says "Magical summer of baseball." You'll be passed out within 30 seconds.
His 5-second pauses for no reason annoy me to no end. And he says "uh" a lot...which I'm pretty sure they don't teach in broadcasting school
Oh yeah, remember when they were having technical difficulties during a road game and he was forced to do some play by play? Oh my God!!!!!
Sample:
Akinori Iwamura at the plate........(10 seconds).....heeeeeerrrreeee's the pitch aaaaaaannnnndddd he swings and misses.
A couple of friends, my wife and I all agree that he is absolutely terrible, whether its his long, non-dramatic pauses, his stammering, constant repeating of whatever he says, or his ridiculous remarks. When you mention his name people light up and exclaim things like "can you believe how horrible he is?" or "I can't stand that guy"
The worst part is when he ruins the post-game victory glow with absolutely stupid comments like "It is better to win the series than get a sweep."
Sorry to go on but he has given me a raw nerve that makes me cringe at the sound of his voice. Things like calling the White Sox the "pale hose." It is colorful but not 17 times in one night. The same with Roy Halliday the other night. He called him Roy "Doc" Halliday not once or twice for interest, but every one of the dozens of times he was mentioned. The list is endless. Oh yea - he always repeats everything he says sometimes twice.
I am praying we can get someone better to replace him next year.
We have loved listening to the post game show on the drive home but we can't do that anymore because he is so infuriating. We try but after a minute or two my wife says "just turn it off"
He seems like a very nice guy but I can't listen to him any more.
Gabe... You pretty much summed it up perfectly.
I used to think Rich was okay, but he's seemed to have become much more of a company man this season. And, as others have menitoned, he sometimes seems to be terribly distracted.
I find Rich Herrera completly nauseating to listen to. I moved here from the mid-Atlantic and the post game hosts are much quicker and more polished. It's like amateur hour...he treats the audience like they have no knowledge of the sport. I agree with the previous post that the long pauses and his repeating himself over and over again drives me crazy. His show is an absolute insult and joke to the knowledgeable baseball fan. He really dumbs things down and shows a phony-like over excitement. There are certain players he goes to great lengths to protect even when callers make valid points. Even my wife, who isn't a baseball fan wonders how he has an on-air job.
I understand the Rays want a cheerleader to fend off negative comments (and they don't deserve many this year) and Rich is probably a nice guy, but he is an awful radio host and agonizing to listen to. He's way to over sensitive and unprofessional. I am a huge Rays fan, but can't take much more of this guy on the air.
I have to agree with most of the other comments. He's actually pretty knowledgable, but it's just too annoying to listen to him dismissing callers with valid points and speaking as if his audience has a really, really low baseball IQ, a lot of "How can I explain this so you can understand" kind of moments. It's like he wants to play devil's advocate all the time, even when callers bring up an obviously true point.
I actually think he could be very good if he were to drop some of the "company man" stuff. But as it is now, just like another poster said, we try to listen on the way home after every game but eventually get too frustrated and just turn it off.
I was looking forward to venting about Rich Herrera when I saw this poll. Unfortunately, you all said it all. I agree with every negative comment that was posted. The Rays could still hire a "company man" who is not irritating. Many other teams around the country have hosts that do post-game interviews, field calls from listeners, and give the out of town scores. These hosts are also employed by the individual teams, but do not annoy as much as Rich. I strongly disagree with those that say that Tampa Bay is a "bush league" market. If there is anything "bush league" about our market, it the Rays post game show and it's host.
God, he is horrible. Talk about ruining a good thing...
I enjoy Rich. Quit your crying! I listened to him back when he was with Fox Sports. I wonder how well you naysayers could do the job!
Post a Comment
<< Home