The Heartbreak of Missing the Call: A Look at Local Broadcasters During the MLB Playoffs
It was the ninth inning of Game 3 between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers, a decisive winner-take-all matchup that would determine who advanced to the National League Division Series. The Mets found themselves down by two runs, with two runners on base, and their star slugger, Pete Alonso, was at the plate. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes were high, and the moment was ripe for a legendary call.
However, instead of being in the thick of the action at American Family Field, the legendary Gary Cohen, the voice of the Mets for 36 years, was in a studio in New York City, preparing for the post-game show. Cohen, a Queens native with a lifelong passion for the Mets, had dedicated his career to calling the team’s games. Yet, as the game unfolded, he focused on the task at hand, even as he felt the weight of missing a pivotal moment in Mets history.
“It’s kind of a big deal,” Cohen remarked about the Mets’ playoff run. “So no, it hasn’t gotten any easier. It still stinks just as much as it did the first time.”
The Moment That Defined a Season
What happened next was a moment that would be etched in the memories of Mets fans forever. Alonso launched a three-run homer that barely cleared the right-field wall, sending the crowd into a frenzy. As he rounded the bases, he blew a kiss to the fans and screamed in exhilaration, only to be mobbed by his teammates at home plate.
While Cohen was left to watch the moment unfold from afar, Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose was on the call, capturing the jubilation of the moment with his iconic voice. “He did it!” Rose exclaimed, his excitement palpable as he painted a vivid picture of the scene for listeners.
The Pain of Being Left Out
Cohen’s absence from the call was not an isolated incident; it is a common reality for local broadcasters during the playoffs. As the postseason rolls around, local voices are often replaced by national broadcasters due to contractual agreements. This shift can leave both the announcers and the fans feeling disconnected from the action.
“It’s kind of like taking a transatlantic voyage on a ship, and then getting thrown overboard a mile from shore,” Cohen said, expressing the frustration many local broadcasters feel when they are sidelined during the most critical moments of the season.
The Unique Bond Between Fans and Local Broadcasters
The relationship between fans and their local broadcasters is unique in baseball. Over the course of a 162-game season, fans develop a deep connection with the voices that call their team’s games. This bond is often stronger than in other sports, where national broadcasts dominate the conversation.
As Joe Davis, a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, noted, “Your connection with the broadcasters is stronger than any other sport because there’s 162.” When the playoffs arrive and local voices are replaced, fans often feel short-changed, longing for the familiarity and passion of their team’s announcers.
The Emotional Toll on Broadcasters
For many broadcasters, the emotional toll of missing the postseason call is significant. Atlanta Braves broadcaster Brandon Gaudin, who transitioned from television to radio, experienced the thrill of being a fan during a playoff game but couldn’t shake the feeling of what could have been. “I jumped up and down,” Gaudin recalled, “but then the adrenaline wears off and I wonder, ‘What would I have said? What would my call have been in that moment?’”
This sentiment resonates with many broadcasters who have made similar transitions. Len Kasper, who left his role as the Chicago Cubs’ television voice to join the White Sox’s radio team, made the switch to ensure he could be part of the postseason action. “You want to feel like you’re a part of it,” Kasper said. “Calling the games when they count the most.”
The Call for Change
The frustration surrounding the exclusion of local broadcasters during the playoffs has sparked discussions about potential changes to the current broadcasting model. Some broadcasters, like Brian Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers, have suggested a hybrid approach that would allow local crews to provide commentary during national broadcasts.
“I’ve done postseason baseball for TBS for 17 years now and I always feel terrible that the voices of the fans of teams involved are gone,” Anderson said. “To call your team in the biggest moments is something we all desire.”
The Financial Reality
Despite the emotional arguments for including local broadcasters, the financial realities of postseason broadcasting contracts often dictate the current model. Major networks pay hefty sums for exclusive rights to broadcast playoff games, and sharing those rights with local broadcasters is not part of the agreement.
As the landscape of baseball broadcasting continues to evolve, the voices of local announcers remain an integral part of the game’s fabric. While they may not always be on the call during the playoffs, their impact on the sport and its fans is undeniable.
A Shared Experience
Ultimately, the experience of missing the call during the playoffs is one shared by many in the baseball community. From the broadcasters who have dedicated their lives to the game to the fans who rely on their voices for connection, the emotional stakes are high. As the postseason unfolds, the longing for those familiar voices remains, a testament to the deep-rooted connection between teams, their broadcasters, and the fans who cheer them on.