Very enjoyable listening to a game that he broadcasts. I had similar thoughts about Keith Jackson and college football.
Bill Rafferty
- Thread starter Pitt5593
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A lot of it is their voices are so symbolic of the sports they’re announcing, it can’t help but bring back memories from people who’ve been listening for years.
I used to get the same feeling listening to Lindsay Nelson announce the Cotton Bowl as a kid.
I used to get the same feeling listening to Lindsay Nelson announce the Cotton Bowl as a kid.
Lindsay Nelson was the best. And you're right, it was because he was the voice I used to associate with college football as a young kid. I remember when Lindsay used to do a Saturday college game of the week with Red Grange as his sidekick in the booth. My first memories of college football.
On the flip side, I watched some of the Cancun classic that the Hoopies won and Pete Gillen sounds like a cartoon character on color commentary. Strong stereotypical NY accent.
We really do have to appreciate gems like Raftery while we have them though. Different sport but someone made a comment about how terrible MNF is and how no one ever replaced Howard Cosell... and he was well before my time, but based on old footage and all I’ve heard, along with all the terrible announcers that have come since him, you can’t really argue that.
We really do have to appreciate gems like Raftery while we have them though. Different sport but someone made a comment about how terrible MNF is and how no one ever replaced Howard Cosell... and he was well before my time, but based on old footage and all I’ve heard, along with all the terrible announcers that have come since him, you can’t really argue that.
Madden and Summerall on Thanksgiving Day brings back memories as well.
Raftery is one of the best. A HOF announcer.
I was a frosh at LaSalle when he was a senior. Worked in the PR office and he stopped in quite a bit. "Colorful" as a description would be weak. Everybody loved the guy, always laughing. Honorable mention AA, too.
Raft after Justin hit his second trey in a row
“Who’s Hand did he shake!?!?”
I really laughed hard at that one - don’t remember that line .
“Who’s Hand did he shake!?!?”
I really laughed hard at that one - don’t remember that line .
Rafferty seems impartial and fair. Although Vitale may also have a symbolic voice and considered good at one time, I find it difficult to listen to him.
How about when Raff said, "where's Jerome when you need him". A classic statement for us Pitt fans. I got a laugh out of that.
Raft is the best... only he could get away with asking Capel after the game "Who coaches shooting on this team? I know it's not you because you were a good shooter." LOL
I"m glad he finally has gotten the opportunity to be on the top announcing pair with Nantz during the NCAA Tourney. Long overdue.
I"m glad he finally has gotten the opportunity to be on the top announcing pair with Nantz during the NCAA Tourney. Long overdue.
It was great to hear raf call a Pitt game again. I always thought he was a bit of a Pitt lean.
Raftery, and Al McGuire are my favorites. Other memorable voices are Billy Packer, Dick Stockton, and Vern Lundquist
I liked Vitale a lot during his early years, but his expiration date passed about 20 years ago.
Vitale has become a parody of himself.
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The thing is Rafferty, Jackson, Nelson, Lundquist, Stockton, Summerall, Packer, they all focused on the game that day, and I would say pretty much made every listener believe there was a little lean their way and had a way of promoting the game and players without the sickening overplay of so many who are on today...........Cosell, not so much.........
Bill Raftery is the absolute best. Incredible combination of college basketball knowledge, stories, and entertainment. I loved when he and Dan Shulman used to do the Big East Tourney games together.
I had a long chat with him on a plane to Philly awhile back. He seemed to be pulling for Pitt to do well. Gave me some insider info on the psu/Big East/Pitt circus. Had no respect for JoeKnew.
