Home Page Interview Series -- The Affiliate Announcers; Latest: Helena's Steve Wendt

[Mass Haas]

We are hopeful our readers will enjoy our five-part series of Q&A sessions we are conducting with the five Brewer affiliate radio announcers, all to be posted on the Brewerfan home page over the next several weeks, one update per week.

The series kicks off with Nashville's Chuck Valenches.

It will be followed by similar interviews with Huntsville's Brett Pollock, Brevard County's Kirk Agius, West Virginia's Andy "Bull" Barch, and Helena's Steve Wendt. All will be back for another go of things in 2008.

Within our Daily Link Reports, we have always prided ourselves in being a quick and easy resource for fans to tune in to the affiliate broadcasts. Within these interviews, we will discuss the expanding (for the better) role of MLB's Advanced Media (MLBAM). We'll talk about what may be new or different about this season's broadcast packages. But most of all, we'll talk about the prospects you love to follow, their coaches, routines, and share an off-field story or two. You'll appreciate the depth and clarity these gentlemen had in answering our questions.

I will be honest, I'm a Milwaukee Brewer fan first and foremost, and if the big league Brewers are playing, I'm listening / watching. But there are plenty of Brewer day games (too many weekday games for my liking as I sneak following in the office), but that allows for more opportunities to pick and choose which affiliate broadcast you might listen to when the big league schedule allows. Maybe you're following a particular starting pitcher, or maybe a big league Brewer is on a rehab assignment, or you're tuning in to see if a hit streak (think Mat Gamel's 33) can be extended. You might even get a "hint'" on our forums to flip over to a potentially historic game (see "Manny Parra"). We'll continue to link to pre-game interviews (looks like more often this season) and specific game highlights -- "Jack-Jackety-Jack!". Whatever the case, we hope Brewerfan can continue to expand the base of fans who listen to the affiliate broadcasts from time to time.

Just remember, Brewer TV's Brian Anderson was the play-by-play man at AA San Antonio, took a Golf Channel detour, and ended up in Milwaukee. Like the Brewer farmhands, these play-by-play men have their own aspirations. We can honestly say that each puts together a fine broadcast experience. We thank them for their time and insights. Here's to a great 2008 season, in Milwaukee, and "on the farm".

Here's Chuck Valenches' profile page at the Sounds site.

[Mass Haas]

Our home page has been updated with the second installment in our five part series, our chat with Huntsville's Director of Broadcasting and Voice of the Stars, Brett Pollock.

After reading the Q&A, you can read more about Brett here with this June 2007 MILB.com profile, and if you wish to relive the Montgomery - Huntsville postseason finale in even more painful detail than Brett noted, the Biscuits' broadcaster, Jim Tocco, details the minutia here, including his brief press room visits with Brett that fateful evening.

Our thanks again to Brett. If you wish to chime in on any of the announcers' observations and/or comments, please feel free to do so within this thread.

[yoda knows all]

That day still hurts. That was great broadcasting by Brett. I wish Money would have left our ace in there for that last inning.

[Mass Haas]

The latest in our announcer series, our chat with Brevard County's Kirk Agius, now graces the home page.

 

Good stuff and fun insights, but as Kirk will explain, some disappointing news for many of us, especially family and friends of the 2008 Manatees. The Florida State League is a tough cookie when it comes to maintaining long-term broadcast support, unfortunately.

 

We'll be linking to some Manatee games in Link Reports this coming season, but it will be limited (probably about one-third of the schedule, if that), and it will be to the opponents' feed.

 

Our thanks again to Kirk.

[Mass Haas]

I'm very pleased to share the next announcer installment with you folks. My chat with the Voice of the West Virginia Power, Andy "Bull" Barch, is now online.

I really enjoyed catching up with all five play-by-play men, and as you can tell from their comments thus far, they've all had fun reaching back a few months and reflecting on the 2007 season. But it was this Power squad, which to be honest, seemed a tad lackluster when rosters were first announced (wow, was that a mistake in judgement), that turned out to have so many compelling storylines and made for the interview I was most excited about. Taylor Green, Jeremy Jeffress, Michael Brantley, Zach Braddock, Stephen Chapman -- heck, that's barely scratching the surface of player topics...and Andy Barch is such a dynamic and talented broadcaster. I loved all the Q&A's, but I was stoked to prepare for this one, and Andy certainly did not disappoint, just as Chuck, Brett, Kirk, and Steve all came through.

 

Enjoy the video links off the Power site, which are included in the article. And please do treat yourself to a full Power game with Andy via web audio as early in this upcoming season as possible.

[wvpowerblkwel]

I don't know how many of you have actually taken in a Bull play by play on the WV Power network, but for a guy who grew up on Marty and Joe, I have heard NO one better in recent times. I think this guy has a truly entertaining way of delivering a game, that really does allow you to "see the park" in your mind. I wish Andy all the luck in the world, and hope someone on up the line sees this guy for the talent he really is!....and speaking of talent, this has been a very nice series...you guys are top notch!

[Mass Haas]

The final interview in our announcer series is now online -- our chat with Helena's Steve Wendt.

If you have enjoyed our series, the biggest thank you that you can give to the affiliate play-by-play guys is to tune in to their broadcasts when you have a chance this coming season. Drop them a line during a game, as they all solicit email remarks from their listeners. You don't want to wait until next offseason to get their perspective on a certain player? Send them a note -- I guarantee they'll get back to you right away, either on-air if during a game, or via email for a post-game response. Nice way to get your name mentioned on air as well http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

One thing I took away from these chats is that each of these guys has been very proud to be a part of the Milwaukee Brewer organization. Maybe it was Brett in Huntsville knowing that all the brass was tuning in to listen to get his perspective on a key Ben Sheets rehab start. Or a particular Helena pre-game interview with Steve introducing a top draft pick to the Milwaukee fan base. Or Chuck getting the reaction of a player being called up to the big leagues for the first time just before departing Nashville. Or Andy finding every superlative available to describe Ryan Braun's few weeks in Charleston. And so much more...such as five different celebrations last year for post-season qualifying!

OK, Steve, you're up...