Skip to main content

The Pondering 10 – All-Time Play-By-Play Announcers

By the amount of stories written and touched on here at the DP regarding sports, I’m sure there is no doubt by you DP devotees that I love sports. And of course, after reading the 2010 Year in Review, you’re all aware of my appreciation and fascination with announcers. Whether they are PA announcers, play-by-play announcers, color commentators, or even sometimes, the sideline reporters (though most of them are annoying or useless), I respect their ability to entertain, and most of all, add to the story that we all see at home. Often times, us fans take their abilities for granted, yet, the form of communication they portray game in and game out is highly difficult. For this Pondering 10 list, I will list my favorite play-by-play announcers of all-time. For you sport fans, I’m sure the agreement, and disagreement, will be high. But hey, that’s the beauty of sports.


Pondering10Tirico 10. Mike Tirico – A very good play-by-play announcer who probably does more games of variety than any other on this list. College basketball, NBA, NFL, College football, hockey, baseball, and golf, the guy does it all. Extremely professional, and very educated on every game he calls.
Pondering10Michaels 9. Al Michaels - “Do you believe in Miracles!” I’m all about the catchphrases. And Michaels will always have that golden call. Nonetheless, he does a fantastic job with NFL games, and always brings a certain easy style that reminds me of someone else on this list. 
Pondering10Albert 8. Marv Albert - “YES…and the foul!”, and of course my favorite one from Albert, “Extensive garbaggge time…”. I grew up listening to Albert who was once the voice of my beloved New York Knicks. Although he now calls games across the river for the Nets and national games on TNT, Albert is still a joy to listen to.
Pondering10Buck 7. Joe Buck – Yes, he lost a lot of points with me when he publicly stated he prefers to call NFL games over doing baseball and the World Series, however, he has a right to his opinion like everyone else. Despite his preference, Buck is very good at calling both, and brings a certain style that would make his father very, very proud.
Pondering10Summerall 6. Pat Summerall – The “easy listening style” described above with Michaels, Summerall was such a treat to listen to. He rarely raised his voice to describe a play, yet, he always commanded the viewers attention with his ability. A booth of Summerall and Madden is very much missed.
Pondering10Harlan 5. Kevin Harlan – As a top five selection, Harlan is one of my absolute favorite play-by-play announcers. His energetic call, and simply insane descriptions for climatic plays are so over-the-top, that its hilarious, crazy, exciting, and downright fun. C’mon, who doesn’t like the call of, “(enter player’s name) dunks the ball!! OH, with no regard for human life!!!” Simply, classic.
Pondering10Costas 4. Bob Costas – Costas’ role calling games for the NBA and MLB during a great era for sports on NBC was vital. Obviously, those who remember the NBA on NBC still miss it’s coverage, it’s Sunday triple-header, and of course that great theme song. Also, Costas’ love for baseball always came through in his calling of a game. Especially, in the World Series.
Pondering10Gus 3. Gus Johnson - “Puuuuure” is just one of the many lines that Gus Johnson has that can just about make any sport exciting. I personally would love to see Johnson call curling in the Olympics. Johnson brings a certain type of enthusiasm that is not matched  by anyone in the industry. He does it for football, basketball, college basketball, and even MMA.
Pondering10Kay 2. Michael Kay – After picking Kay at number two, some of you might being using Kay’s catchphrase of “See ya!” to the rest of this post. At least, stick around for number one. However, Kay is my Vin Scully. Maybe not as good, but he is pretty much the voice I hear for eight months of the year with the New York Yankees. And quite honestly, the quality drops off whenever Kay takes a break from the games.
Pondering10Breen 1. Mike Breen - “Baaaaaang!” Mike Breen’s catchphrase is awesome. So awesome I find myself using it at work and in my normal day-to-day activities to describe anything clutch. Sad? Maybe. However, Breen is the best NBA voice, which is the reason he is the voice of the NBA. Luckily for me, he is also the voice of the New York Knicks. Breen is always well-versed on the league, and most importantly, very rational in calling a game.

Recent Favorites

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The After (2023)

What is it about? In a short film, a grieving man confronts his past when he comes face-to-face with a passenger.  Who is in it? David Oyelowo - Dayo Jessica Plummer - Amanda Amelie Dokubo - Laura  Favorite Scene: It's an extremely short film, so...the final few moments.  Favorite Quote:  None. (not much dialogue) Review: This eighteen-minute masterpiece is amazing. You're absolutely taken on this ride of emotions that ultimately leaves you with a great realization of questioning what we value in life.  The lead character, in eighteen minutes, is powerful. His grief is carried through the film, exploding at the end. It very much leaves the viewer with so many questions - what was his life before the tragedy? What was his life after that moment? Did he ever reconnect with that family? Did he rediscover happiness?  Again, a very, VERY, powerful eighteen minutes that will jolt the heart, mind, and soul about life, what is important, and what we overvalue in its place.  Grade: 4/5

2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Thoughts

There's something wrong with the All-Star Game.  Yeah, we've definitely had this conversation before. Expect to pick up this very discussion (again) in July when Major League Baseball has their version in the "Mid-Summer Classic" when it is the ONLY current topic to bounce around in the stratosphere of sports discourse.  What's wrong with the All-Star Game?!  I'm not dismissing the obvious - yes, the NBA All-Star Game is very much at an alarming point of necessary refinement and change - evaluation is needed. What we saw on Sunday night was not disappointing, but outright embarrassing. Also yes, gone are the days when the game flooded your television screen at a respectable 6:30pm on NBC, and you were wowed by the athleticism and star power of the first half of the game, and treated to what felt like the world's best players playing pickup basketball on the grandest stage.  Now? Not so much. So yeah, we got the message. The outrage - and shock TV and hot t

Quick Ponder: Daily Armor

Imagine, if we can see the dents and scratches, the smashes and chaos,  on the daily armor, each of us put on. Just imagine.