Brewers hire Joe Block as new radio play-by-play announcer (Latest: Jeff Levering joins radio broadcast team for 2015)

[GormanHarvey]

I like his voice quite a bit. I agree its got an "old school" feel to it and to me sounds a little bit like Gary Thorne. But, his call/decription of the suicide squeeze tonight was awful.

[DHonks]

His voice is very old school and I really don't like it. I liked the lighter, more pleasant tones of Powell, Provus, and Vasgersian. They had unique voices. Block sounds too plain and boring. I feel like I'm listening to a typical baseball announcer....and I think the Brewers have always been unique for having "different" announcers. Of course, Ueck rubbed off a lot the others....perhaps he'll rub off on Block

[pebadger]

Thought Joe did a nice job on the call of the walk-off last night. You can hear it with the video at MLB.com.

 

I'm in agreement with a lot of the comments in general. He is very much a smooth, professional sounding voice. Maybe that's partly why he can seem like he's putting you to sleep at times. That said, I think you have to give the guy time to settle in to the job and get comfortable. When you're comfortable with the team and the surrounding people you can sort of let 'er fly a little bit more in a natural way at times. It's a fine line to walk. Having that professional delivery is both a gift and a developed talent. I'd rather have a guy who at least has that capability than just some yahoo with no real skills other than unfiltered enthusiasm.

 

He's got a big shoes to fill, but a lot of the broadcasters that have come through Milwaukee have. We've been very fortunate as Crew fans to have the talents we've had come through this market.

[brewtown82]

Block is boring. I almost fell asleep at the wheel listening to that guy. Bring back Jim Powell!

[pepsimax23]

got a glimpse of the guy from spring training living in AZ. not heard him much but from what i've seen perfect fit. he's got a face for radio.

 

all kidding aside, when i'd tuned into a brewers broadcast and heard him read thru some cards, i thought the quality far was worse than a fill-in at a minor league game. lets just say - there is definitely some room for improvement. from being in the 2nd chair and starting at his young age, i'm sure he's in a position where he's adjusting and probably takes his feedback seriously. i'd expect for him to be much diff getting into june, year 2, etc. the game winning call on mlb.com was better than i expected. (as i expected the worst)

[JohnBriggs12]

He's competent but he reminds me of listening to an ESPN game with say a Dan Shulman who is indifferent to which team wins. It's informative enough and well described, but it lacks the passion that we've become accustomed to from our home broadcast team.

 

Provus had a style more like the Brennamans. Professional, but with some passion for the home team. Powell was so in tune with entire baseball operation, you always felt you learned something from his broadcasts.

 

Message to Joe. Sound like you care. That goes a long way.

[RockCoCougars]

He reminds me of someone that I still can't put my finger on, but for you old timers, I've been thinking maybe Dwayne Mosley.

[GormanHarvey]

Good lord...Joe Block is drier than sun baked, ancient dirt

[bjkrautk]

It's as if Block is relaying the play-by-play via teleprompter.

 

All the words are there, and in the right places, but there's no sense of attachment to the events on the field. (Not sure it's a perfect analogy, but the best one I can think of while listening to today's game.)

[DocBrewPack]

After hearing his call for the two walk offs and the squeeze bunt, I wasn't very impressed. Left a lot to be desired.

[Crew2323]

After hearing his call for the two walk offs and the squeeze bunt, I wasn't very impressed. Left a lot to be desired.

 

How would Block have called two walk offs? Was Ueck gone for two games?

[hawing]

Ueck was gone Tuesday, and Wednesday's walkoff was in the 10th inning.

[NievesNoNO]

It's as if Block is relaying the play-by-play via teleprompter.

 

All the words are there, and in the right places, but there's no sense of attachment to the events on the field. (Not sure it's a perfect analogy, but the best one I can think of while listening to today's game.)

 

 

This is exactly how I feel! There are just weird pauses; some not even at the end of sentences. Truthfully, he's better than alot of other teams' radio voices I've heard. We've been spoiled by the likes of Hughes, Powell, and Provus to be sure.

[Warning Track Power]

Sigh...listening to the Twins game at work. Once Uecker retires, I wouldn't mind seeing us go hard after Provus as the main guy. I never realized how much I actually enjoyed listening to him call the game. Almost as much as Uecker. I wonder if he would come back. Not sure how you incentivize an announcer to come back.

[AZBrewCrew]

At least to me, he sounds similar to the Diamondbacks announcer Tom Candiotti.

[crewcrazy]

People didn't like Provus at first, either, but he grew into the role and people warmed up to him. I think the same will be true for Joe.

 

Personally, I like him, but I'm not crazy about hooting and hollering homers. It's important to remember he's coming from Los Angeles, where he no doubt learned a few things from Vin Scully (who's also dry, doesn't go crazy, but you can tell he still cares about the Dodgers).

 

I'd be willing to bet he's still getting his bearings a bit in Milwaukee, and he doesn't have the relationships with the players Ueck has and Provus had. Once he warms up and becomes "one of the guys," the broadcasts will improve. It's just hard to get that after just a couple months.

[Baldkin]

It hit me today, he has a lot of Jim Nantz in his voice.

[RWeeksFan23]

What was so special about Provus? I didn't like him either. Powell >>> both of them.

[Invader3K]

What was so special about Provus? I didn't like him either. Powell >>> both of them.

 

Provus was/is a really good announcer. Clearly the Twins agreed with that sentiment.

[Baldkin]

What was so special about Provus? I didn't like him either. Powell >>> both of them.

 

Powell is one of the best in the league. Period. That's like saying, "What's so great about Yovani and Greinke? Halladay >>> both of them."

[GormanHarvey]

I long for the days of Hughes and Powell, especially Powell. Wasn't a huge Provus guy (liked him, was just spoiled by the previous two), but Block really makes me miss him too. I really hope Block finds a spark. I'm trying to like him, but so far I just can't. I actually don't mind his voice at all (as I said previously, reminds me a bit of Gary Thorne), but his delivery just seems so detached and lifeless. And when it comes reading things, such as doing promos or updating the scoreboard, he really really struggles. Loosen up and act like you give a darn Joe, and you just might be onto something.

[chuckiehacks]

And when it comes reading things, such as doing promos or updating the scoreboard, he really really struggles. Loosen up and act like you give a darn Joe, and you just might be onto something.

 

Someone needs to find him one of the old Jim Powell Cranberry Growers promos ("They make it eeeeeeasy to be good.").

[hawing]

Someone needs to find him one of the old Jim Powell Cranberry Growers promos ("They make it eeeeeeasy to be good.").

Waaah, I think of Jim Powell every time I hear an ad for Wisconsin cranberries.

[RWeeksFan23]

What was so special about Provus? I didn't like him either. Powell >>> both of them.

 

Powell is one of the best in the league. Period. That's like saying, "What's so great about Yovani and Greinke? Halladay >>> both of them."

Well I guess we're entitled to our own opinions, maybe I was spoiled 'cuz of Powell, but I didn't like Provus either.

[Yeti73]

Block isn't that bad. Maybe we were spoiled by Hughes and Powell, but I think he's doing a good job and will improve going forward.