Budding voices can learn from these 30 veterans; whether the lessons are light or fundamental

Calling this eclectic would be silly. Yet having studied hundreds of broadcasters for fifty plus years, I’ve kept  notes in the form of tips. Some are funny and others truly instructional. They cover ground on lots of announcers. Enjoy!

Marv Albert (1941, NBA, NFL, NHL)

Underscore big calls with an inimitable flair. Limit the use of the word great. Using great excessively cheapens the accolade. Not everyone is great.

Red Barber (1908-92, pioneer MLB announcer)

Leave your problems at home. Focus on the broadcast. Do so free of exogenous distractions.

Mike Breen (1961, NBA)

Too many voices, including network play-by-players fail to know the ins-and-outs of the rule book. Study it. Down the road, an understanding of the nuances of the rules will come in handy.

Marty Brennaman (1942, MLB-Reds)

Be honest with your audience. When a hometown player errs or fails to give it his all, let your listeners know. Hometown fans will appreciate your candidness.

Joe Buck (1969, NFL, MLB)

On television, be concise. Summarize plays in as few as words as possible, then shush. Let analysts maximize their limited windows.

Jack Buck (1924-2002, Cardinals, NFL, MLB)

Have fun. This isn’t a funeral. Don’t go to your notes as a crutch. The game is on the field.

Harry Caray (1914-98, St. Louis Cardinals, A’s, Cubs, White Sox)

Bring a neighborly warmth to the booth.

Bob Costas (1952,  Various; Studio and PxP, MLB, NBA, NFL, Olympics)

Develop your word retention and retrieval. Build your vocabulary and your command of the language.

Don Criqui (1940, NFL, NBA)

Calibrate the tenor of your voice accordingly, particularly when setting up dramatic plays.

Dan Dakich  (1962, College Basketball)

Read the newspaper aloud in the bathroom before a broadcast.

Gene Deckerhoff (1945, NFL-Tampa Bay, College Football)

Join a debate team in school to accelerate your ability to respond cogently, instantly and articulately. Learn a foreign language. Don’t cease to study and learn.

Doc Emrick (1946 NHL, NBC +)

Maintain some sanity during a game’s frenzied action by using a mix of adjectives. Do so without groping for the right word. Nothing contrived. Be natural.

Dick Enberg (1935-2017, NFL, MLB, Final Four) (NBC+)

Insert the human element. Talk as though you have a smile on your face. Use a rich word once in a while for emphasis, one that might make a viewer consult the dictionary, “What prestidigitation by Smith.”

Joe Garagiola (1926-2016, MLB, NBC)

If you’re comfortable doing so, use humor and one-liners. A cheap base-hit, “is a line-drive in the morning paper!”

Marty Glickman (1917-2001, NY Giants/Jets, NY Knicks+)

When walking down a city street or drive through the bucolic countryside, try to describe the scene to yourself. It will grow  your vocabulary.

Curt Gowdy (1919-2006, NFL, MLB, Final Four +)

When working with a partner on TV turn the broadcast into somewhat of a conversation. (Historically, Curt might have been the first to do so on network TV.)

Kevin Harlan (1960,  NFL, NBA +)

Call games with a natural and fresh vigor, one that galvanizes an audience. Use good judgment but on radio, don’t be fearful of painting a detailed description of a disrupter scurrying onto the field.

Chick Hearn (1916-2002, LA Lakers, USC)

As you get older, do crossword puzzles to stay sharp

Keith Jackson (1928-18, MLB, NFL, NBA College football)

Don’t resort to the words, you know. It’s an inveterate escape. Expunging the two-words from your vocabulary will force you to think more efficiently and economically.

Harry Kalas (2936-2009, MLB, NFL, NFL Films)

Talk slowly. If you have no material to share, let the microphones pick up the crowd murmur and the ambient hush.

Tony Kubek (1935, MLB)

If you’re talking too fast, read poetry twenty minutes a day

Cawood Ledford (1926-01, College football, College Basketball, ABA)

Attend lectures by professional orators to enrich your ability to speak publicly.

Sean McDonough (1962, MLB, NFL, NHL, College football and basketball)

Follow the McDonough text. Observe his voice inflections, There’s a subject and a verb. Stamp them accordingly.

Al Michaels (1944, NFL, MLB)

Let the game come to you. Put the perfect vocal seal on a big play or big win. Don’t squeeze your game notes into a broadcast for self-satisfaction. If it’s not pertinent or apt, move on.

Brent Musburger (1939, NFL studio, NBA, College football and basketball +)

Have an edge to your call. Don’t let your analysts dominate a telecast. Challenge your partner.

Jim Nantz (1959, NFL, Final Four, Masters)

Call a hard-hitting football game tenderly, by infusing heartwarming anecdotes. When working with two analysts (e.g. Final Four), weave stories in nimbly while never breaking stride.

Lindsey Nelson (1919, NBA, NFL, MLB, College football)

When calling multiple games in an economy of days, unlearn what you just committed to memory and move on to the next assignment.

Vin Scully (1927, MLB, NFL)

Be yourself. Don’t mimic others. Avoid ruining moments that belong to a thunderous crowd. Don’t talk over a roar of exultations. Pause properly. Become an avid reader. A book can be your best friend on the road.

Dick Stockton (1942, MLB. NBA, NFL)

Hold out for the big dramatic moment and give it your natural best. It’s all about the game, don’t infuse yourself into the game coverage. For the most part, no one cares.

Joe Tait (1937-21, Cleveland Cavaliers, radio,  MLB, NBA)

In a fast paced game repeat the name of the player who has the ball or puck. It’s radio. “Smith moves it to his right. Smith to the baseline. Smith shoots.” Overusing he instead of focusing on the name doesn’t provide full clarity in a fluid game on radio.