I don’t watch too much hockey, but when I do, the game becomes roughly 13 times more exciting with Beninati supplying the play-by-play. I can’t get enough of the way he belts out: SCORRREEEEEE!!!!!! I like it so much I watched this clip like four times in a row: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1TeXrr0qPs. You should too.
2. Ron Jaworski
For an announcer to reach the pinnacle of his profession, he must be exceptional at two of the following traits: 1. An encyclopedic knowledge of the game in question, and an ability to translate that knowledge into something the average fan can understand. 2. An ability to analyze even the most complex workings of a sport in a simple and quick manner. 3. The ability to share unusual and interesting information with the audience that is definitely important, but not something most would know. 4. The ability to give an inside look into the sport, probably because they played or coached in it for a long time. 5. A smooth/exciting voice with an innate ability to speak and a way with words. Jaworski possesses the first four, and even has a flair for the dramatic, and an exciting voice. His ability to analyze football is second to none…
3. Chris Collinsworth
Out of all the ranked announcers, Collinsworth has perhaps the best sense of humor and is refreshingly critical. If something questionable happens on the field of play or on the sidelines, Chris will let you know. Like Jaworski, he had a long and successful career in the NFL and remains a student of the game.
4. Gus Johnson
No one, NO ONE can call a game like Gus Johnson—not one person on the face of the Earth. His voice can reach decibels previously unknown to man, and the guy can get so excited during big moments that you fear for his life. How can someone who spawned multiple theories not be in the top five?
Gus Johnson calls the Jaguars miracle win last season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIB42WqVUmk
5. Vin Scully
Scully is widely recognized as the best color commentator in baseball history, and is perhaps the best color commentator sports has ever seen—he’s that good. So why isn’t he higher? Because he’s getting up there in the years (he’ll probably retire soon), I don’t like baseball, and he just doesn’t bring to the table what the guys ranked #1-4 do. But he’s still phenomenal, and has taken consistency to a whole new level.
6. Mike Emrick
He’s known for his extensive vocabulary and incredible knowledge of hockey. Plus, he’s won a billion awards. He’s similar to Beninati, though I like Beninati’s voice just a touch more…
7. Al Michaels
Every Batman needs a Robin, every Jordan needs a Pippen, every Obama a Biden (cue uproarious laughter), and it’s no different in the world of color commentary. Michaels is perhaps the best “second man in the booth” we’ve ever seen—certainly the best there is today. For a long time he worked with John Madden, and provided a certain coolness and smoothness factor next to Madden’s seven inch long eyebrow’s and obnoxious voice. Now he plays second fiddle to Chris Collinsworth, and does an excellent job. Michaels might not have the knowledge of Madden or Jaworski, but he certainly has the suaveness…and the hair.
8. Marv Albert
Oh! A facial! Marv Albert trademarked that phrase, and remains the only person in the world allowed to use it without receiving a couple of weird looks. Regardless, Albert is the voice of basketball and was born to do play by play.
9. Jeff Van Gundy
A former coach, Van Gundy understands the X’s and O’s of the game like nobody else. He also has an educated opinion about all things going on in the NBA world, most of which I agree with. On the other hand, he can often be over bearing, obnoxious, and has a voice that will go right through you…just like his brother.
10. Mark Jackson
Jackson is another former player-turned commentator in the vein of Ron Jaworski and Chris Collinsworth. Much like those two, he brings a deep understanding of the game to the table. He can try too hard with his voice sometimes, and he’s liable to have at least one “did he just pull that out of his butt crack?” opinion per game.
11. Mike Breen
Breen is boring, but he’s your typical play-by-play guy. Good voice, knows when to get excited-but not too excited, never runs over his partner, and has even restrained from cracking jokes at Hubie Brown’s expense—quite a feat.
12. Jim Nantz
Nantz is lucky enough to have a voice smooth as silk, and a comb over amongst the greatest I’ve ever seen. No wonder he’s best known for covering the PGA tour…
13. Kevin Harlan
Not only does Harlan have a great voice, but he has the best catchphrase I’ve ever heard a color commentator use, “No regard for human life”. It doesn’t get any better than that…
14. Mike Fratello
The “czar” is entirely undeserving of such a spectacular nickname. I have nothing bad to say about Fratello, but nothing good either…he just is.
15. Mike Tirico
Mike Tirico talks too much, thinks he knows more than he actually does, has never been particularly good on Monday Night Football, and apparently, is a little bit sex crazed.
16. Troy Aikman
Unlike former NFLer’s Collinsworth and Jaworski, Aikman is no orator. Sure he’s got knowledge about the game—and the quarterback position—but what good does that do anybody if he can’t get across his point?
17. Hubie Brown
Brown was a great coach and has an absolutely astounding knowledge of the game of basketball. Unfortunately, Hubie looks like he could die at any moment, sounds like he could die at any moment, and is poor with words. I’ll throw him a bone; he sure knows what’s happening on the basketball court…
18. John Gruden
I like this guy! This guy works hard every day in practice, and worked his butt off in camp. This guy can really throw the ball. I like this kid!—Gruden speak
176. Phil Simms
You know you suck at color commentary when someone dedicates a whole twitter feed to you, and spends their Sundays recording every strange/incorrect/stupid thing you say.
Phil Simms everybody!
274. Matt Millen
Can someone explain to me how exactly Matt Millen is a millionaire? First he destroyed the Detroit Lions franchise with so many awful draft picks you could open up a museum, and then he vomits all over the color commentary on Thursday Night Football. Putting Theisman and Millen in the same booth is like hiring Bush and Biden to deliver your father’s eulogy.
Note: I’m sure there are tons of really talented play-by-play guys across the country that work for individual teams and are not that well-known. Unfortunately, you’ve got to gain national recognition to nab a spot on my power rankings.
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