Jeff Cirillo - on air personality

[rluzinski]

As others have noted, terrible delivery but it sounds like he actually knows baseball, unlike Bill "Too close to take" Schroeder.

[COBrewerfan]

I agree with beerhere. Cirillo is not good. But like with players, people have an opinion in their head and hate Bill, so anybody sounds better in their mind. Rock is worlds ahead of Cirillo but he doesn't relay the same silly opinions people here see.

[Raw Biz]

The real question is where is Rock? Doesn't he have a son in the military? I'm assuming that he may be home on leave.

I'm pretty sure they've said multiple times he's on vacation.

[Raw Biz]

I agree with beerhere. Cirillo is not good. But like with players, people have an opinion in their head and hate Bill, so anybody sounds better in their mind. Rock is worlds ahead of Cirillo but he doesn't relay the same silly opinions people here see.

I don't hate Schroeder as much as some but what's not to like about Cirillo besides his voice? He actually provides some insight, he's funny, and he doesn't hesitate to call someone out (he isn't such a homer like Schroeder).

[PeaveyFury]

I'm pretty sure they've said multiple times he's on vacation.

 

But I'm almost certain that isn't the whole story. A sportscaster doesn't just take a random vacation in the middle of the season when there's 4 months of off time later on.

 

My money is on minor surgery or something like Rockco mentioned with his son.

[And That]

I don't recall Rock taking many days off in-season before this. More than likely something going on behind the scenes, even if it's just a minor thing.

 

Cirillo's voice isn't good for TV right now and he's awkward with BA, but like others have said, he brings some insight that Rock doesn't seem to have. A 3-person booth with the three of them would be interesting to try for a few days.

[logan82]

I think he has taken time off in the past to take his kids to college.

[DougJones43]

I like (just like others mentioned) how Cirillo is honest and not afraid to say negative things. He pointed out several times that our infield defense basically stinks. He also seems to notice and point out intricacies of the game that Schroeder doesn't.

 

That said, his broadcasting voice needs a lot of work and I found it difficult to follow what he was trying to articulate with some of his thoughts.

[PeaveyFury]

I think he has taken time off in the past to take his kids to college.

 

I remember that as well, but I think that was only a couple of days, never a whole week.

[trwi7]

A sportscaster doesn't just take a random vacation in the middle of the season when there's 4 months of off time later on.

Jon McGlocklin takes a vacation during the Bucks season every year.

[MJLiverock]

I like (just like others mentioned) how Cirillo is honest and not afraid to say negative things. He pointed out several times that our infield defense basically stinks. He also seems to notice and point out intricacies of the game that Schroeder doesn't.

 

That said, his broadcasting voice needs a lot of work and I found it difficult to follow what he was trying to articulate with some of his thoughts.

 

 

I wonder how long the perception that he tells it like it is and isn't a company man would last if he was calling 162 games or how long it would take to start noticing his catch phrases or repetitive comments. He's a fresh voice but if he we were listening to him every single game I wonder if he would fall into the same things that annoy people about Bill, just in a slightly different way.

[endaround]

A sportscaster doesn't just take a random vacation in the middle of the season when there's 4 months of off time later on.

Jon McGlocklin takes a vacation during the Bucks season every year.

Yeah but he's older and watching the Bucks does require a sanity break

[pitchleague]

Steve Stone doesn't have a professional sounding voice either, but he's one of the best. Joe Buck has the store bought voice, but he's a tool. As for Cirillo, I think he's doing pretty good for getting thrown right into things, though the evil part of me would have liked the comic relief that Augie as the color guy would have brought. He's been around for three years, and still looks like a deer in the headlights on the booth shows.

yes and no. He does have a certain "deer in the headlights" look to him, but some of that (maybe most of that?) is from the 1-2 second delay on the satellite in between Minneapolis and Milwaukee (if they REALLY are in 2 seperate studios, that is.)

[bobskube]

I wish Schroeder's vacation would become permanent.

I couldn't agree more. Cirillo is very, very raw, but brings the 21st Century into play. Schroeder voice is boring, his analysis bland, and he is not a guy that does much homework vs current opponents. This leads to a poor broadcasting effort.

[berniebrewer4life]

yes and no. He does have a certain "deer in the headlights" look to him, but some of that (maybe most of that?) is from the 1-2 second delay on the satellite in between Minneapolis and Milwaukee (if they REALLY are in 2 seperate studios, that is.)

I have absolutely no doubt they are 10 feet away from each other. One day I'd love to see Augie walking in the background behind Nelson to get to his spot, oblivious the camera is on.

[1992casey]

Before the season began, it was reported that Bill would be taking eight games off in July. Cirillo will take his place for most of those games. Some games will have someone else in the color spot.

 

To address the topic title, I think Jeff's on air "personality" is great. I agree with those who've said that he's interesting to listen to. I also agree with those who say that he lacks polish. However, I think that he could acquire that polish with time and practice.

 

I try not to judge too heavily on the "professional" stuff when a broadcaster isn't professionally trained, especially when he's thrown to the wolves without experience. It's kind of like beating a dead horse.

[FVBrewerFan]

I don't think BA did Cirillo any favors. There were quite a few times Cirillo made a comment, either specific to the game or jsut off the cuff funny statements and BA didn't play off his comments very well at all. That made Cirillo look bad, when I don't really think it was his fault.

 

It was refreshing to hear some actual insight we don't usually hear from the TV booth. Cirillo seems to be much better talking about game situations. I definitely think he would be an improvement over Augustine and Nelson on the post game show.

[JohnBriggs12]

Since when do broadcasters get vacations in season? They get 4-5 months off from October to March as it is. Even in season, they have plenty of time to play golf, fish or do whatever during the day. That's a schedule even a government worker would envy.

 

As for Cirillo, he's been so-so. He has insight, but he has been too low key. It's obvious he hasn't been around the team all season and he's not all that invested in their success.

[Glennron]

Since when do broadcasters get vacations in season? They get 4-5 months off from October to March as it is. Even in season, they have plenty of time to play golf, fish or do whatever during the day. That's a schedule even a government worker would envy.

 

As for Cirillo, he's been so-so. He has insight, but he has been too low key. It's obvious he hasn't been around the team all season and he's not all that invested in their success.

Out of curiosity, what makes you think that? Maybe we're all used to Bill calling below average plays by the opponent "terrible," and calling terrible plays by the Brewers "not too good."

[Invader3K]

Since when do broadcasters get vacations in season? They get 4-5 months off from October to March as it is. Even in season, they have plenty of time to play golf, fish or do whatever during the day. That's a schedule even a government worker would envy.

It sounds like this was pre-planned, and I'm guessing there are other circumstances surrounding Schroeder's absence, as others have speculated. No need to be so judgmental when you don't know the whole story.

[kalle8]

to me the big difference is in BA approach. he looked like he was trying to show Jeff Cirillo how much of a sense of humour he's got. it sounded silly at times. it was like talking to the good-looking girl you just met at a party... to use the Rock words he was "trying to do too much"!

[jmeks23]

You guys are amazingly critical of him. I hope I never have to get critiqued by you. Yeah he's a little quiet, but I didn't have an issue with it. The 'dead air' you guys are complaining about is a little much as well. It's TV, who cares. It wasn't all that noticable for people who weren't looking for it. Even Uecker has dead air on the radio side. And voice is a bit critical as well IMO, considering he's a color analyst. The color analyst doesn't need a "radio voice" as they call it.

 

I thought he was great, offered insight that Rock never gives and actually has credentials as he was a great player for a stretch of time. Not to mention, he retired only a few years ago so he adds a lot more in terms of discussion about today's players and coaches. Anderson was acting odd around him though. Most of the time he was trying to rip JC for some odd reason, even if it was unwarranted. Though the gator arm comment was funny.

 

Anyone who watches the TV broadcast every night knows how boring and annoying Bill Schroeder gets. He'll call a play wrong and see a replay that shows otherwise and still say it's wrong. I like homers, but he is TOO much of a homer, particuarly when it comes to protecting the Brewers players (ie struggling players). I get that it's in their contract not to say anything bad, but my goodness just don't say anything at all. I remember 2009 when JJ Hardy was struggling terribly, BA and Rock would consistently say "this is the hardest (insert batting average here) I've ever seen!" and "JJ is hitting the ball so hard it's gonna turn around any day now" and it never did.

 

I should say, I don't hate Rock, he just gets very annoying and bland. He's 100 times better than the Cubs announcers.

[Roscoe Chill]

I'm not a big fan of Bill Schroeder at all, but Jeff Cirillo isn't any better...might even be worse. I too think Anderson is really weird with him. Oh well, at least Daron Sutton is gone.

[fondybrewfan]

I haven't been a fan of Cirillo at all. Maybe he could grow into the role but he doesn't seem to be a natural.

 

I also don't have nearly the problem with Rock than a lot of other people to do. I pay virtually no attention to announcers though; I tend to tune them out unless it is impossible to do so (Think Chris Berman, Darin Sutton). Rock certainly isn't any more of a homer than 90% of the other MLB color guys. It could be way worse; we could have Hawk Harrelson.

[Roscoe Chill]

I don't dislike Schroeder because he's a homer. I dislike him because he's boring, has really no personality whatsoever, and doesn't add anything that isn't obvious to anyone with a brain. Cirillo is just terrible all around. But I also don't pay too much attention, and I'm just happy Daron Sutton isn't screaming at me anymore.