Posted September 29, 200420 yr Do you think Dave Van Horne should be in the media wing of Cooperstown, why or why not? He's definitely a hall of fame caliber broadcaster, whether he's actually a hall of famer or not is a different story. There's just some sort of nostalgic feeling you get when listening to a game being called by him and I think he deserves and will eventually be in the hall.He was voice of the Expos from their inception in 1968 all the way to 2001 He called the first game in Expos history He called Bill Stoneman's first no-hitter He called Bill Stoneman's second no-hitter He called Charlie Lea's no-hitter He called Bill Gullickson's 18 strikeout game He called Pete Rose' 4000th hit He called Dennis Martinez' perfect game He called virtually every milestone in the history of the Expos franchise He called AJ Burnett's no-hitter He called the entire 2003 playoffs including the last out of the World Series Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick award recipient (most prestigious award a member of the baseball related media can receive) Member of the Expos Hall of Fame Member of the Canadian Hall of Fame Member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame There's a ton of other things that i'm probably missing.
September 29, 200420 yr He's calling the Expos' last ever homestand in Montreal right now. EDIT: Granted, it's by coincidence; but it seems kind of appropriate.
September 29, 200420 yr ...I'm 95% sure he didn't call AJ's no-no. But yes, he should be, prototypical old-school radio call man. Besides, as the "voice of a franchise" he deserves it.
September 29, 200420 yr Definitely, I think he is a great announcer, and he must be to stay in the game as long as he has.
September 29, 200420 yr I voted no. DVH puts me to sleep. A poor man's Vin Scully. If you listen, Boog does color when DVH is on play-by-play. But DVH basically disappears when Boog does p-b-p. I think he takes a break, and that's not productive to the broadcast. DHV also makes mistakes, and doesn't clearly identify where the ball is going (eg, a foul ball way off in the blue seats). And "up up & away" pretty well bites. Give me "hasta la vista, baby" any day.
September 29, 200420 yr I voted no. DVH puts me to sleep. A poor man's Vin Scully. If you listen, Boog does color when DVH is on play-by-play. But DVH basically disappears when Boog does p-b-p. I think he takes a break, and that's not productive to the broadcast. DHV also makes mistakes, and doesn't clearly identify where the ball is going (eg, a foul ball way off in the blue seats). And "up up & away" pretty well bites. Give me "hasta la vista, baby" any day. 576143[/snapback] I agree. DVH is terrible. I'm considering writing a letter to David Samson asking if he'll let me and a buddy broadcast a Spring Training game. I'm so sick of Van Horne, I could do a better job after a week of practice.
September 29, 200420 yr No, not a big fan. I like my radio broadcasters to put some excitement into their play by play.
September 29, 200420 yr Obviously Felo is a hall of famer because of what he did and is doing for baseball in the Spanish-speaking world, but Dave Van Horne was the voice of baseball in Canada for many years and it led to 2 teams up there, even though 1 is moving. He did call AJ's no hitter in San Diego and his homerun call is the best in my opinion in baseball. No one else dares to use it and you won't hear anything classier. Closest to him may be Neihaus in Seattle screaming "fly away!" at a homer. I think that he is deserving to go in the hall of fame because he made the Marlins radio booth credible just by joining. Even though you think Boog is good, back in 2001, he was not and that is why he was left to do pregame only until that season. DVH calls innings and Boog was left as color, with Boog taking over some innings so DVH could get breaks. Boog calls innings from places other than the broadcast booth so he can get breaks at any time during the game, DVH is always at the microphone. If you want a TV-style call, then Boog and Len are your men. If you want color then Tommy and Boog are your men. If you want a classic-style radio call of a baseball game, you want DVH as the voice of your baseball team.
September 29, 200420 yr Author No, not a big fan. I like my radio broadcasters to put some excitement into their play by play. 576343[/snapback] When there is an exciting play DVH will put excitement into it. I've listen to about 50 games on the radio each season and there is no one else that i'd rather be listening to than DVH. Whenever Boog gets on the mic, I just countdown the seconds until DVH is back, I don't know how ANYONE could pick Boog over DVH, Boog just is not fit to be a radio play-by-play man. When he calls games there is an enormous amount of dead time, when DVH calls games there is no dead time and he's always giving you information down to the exact detail. DVH: "Pavano steps off the mound, picks up the rosin bag, tips his cap, goes into his stance, the kick, and the pitch... CALLED STRIKE THREE!" Boog: "...deadtime... ....more dead time... Pavano kicks, the pitch, called strike three ...dead time..." I'm not saying Boog is bad, but he is certainly not better than DVH, not to mention DVH has that absolutely classic radio voice where if you closed you're eyes you could just picture yourself listening to a game back in the 50's or 60's and for a listener to be able to do that is the epitome of being a successful radio commentator and that is exactly why DVH has been so successful. Boog just does not have a good radio voice, he sounds like a teenager, as an analyst or something he's great, but not for play-by-play. A lot of people here are wrongfully voting no just because they "think" he's boring rather than taking into account his amazing career, he is hall of fame worthy and he's got the credentials and the voice to back it up.
September 29, 200420 yr If you want a retro ballpark (this new Marlins park will be a Miami retro park dating back to Bobby Maduro being an open air, open outfield ballpark for the Marlins), then you need a voice for your team. DVH is the voice of the Marlins.
September 30, 200420 yr Oh, I forgot to mention DVH's woeful call of the last out of the 2003 WS. He sounded totally surprised at (and unprepared for) the outcome. A quality pbp man would have semi-scripted the call of the last out, knowing that it would be replayed over-and over for years. As a result, you rarely hear DVH's blown call (more common is his call of the wild card clinch game, which was good).
September 30, 200420 yr Accord, there's something to be said (IMO) for just shutting up once in a while. DVH talks constantly I agree and that's not always a good thing. Just pipe down for a few seconds & let everyone take a breath & listen to the sounds of the game and the stadium.
September 30, 200420 yr voted No, I don't like DVH style, and I don't think his style is anything unique to be on the HOF.
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