I was listening to the St. Louis Cardinals game today and heard broadcaster Mike Shannon, who is known for his Shannonisms, speaking about the Colorado Rockie’s first baseman:
“Todd Helton is in the latter part of the middle of a great career.”
I really enjoy listening to Mike Shannon. His love for the game of baseball, not to mention his knowledge of the game make all his interviews special. And a rain delay, and a few frosty cold Bud’s can lead to some amazing stories. I liked Harry Carey and Jack Buck (previous Cardinal broadcasters) a lot, but I don’t think they’re as colorful as Shannon. He is a St. Louis treasure in my book.
I could not agree more. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice. Frosty cold ones were involved. He is a STL icon.
Jonco, I remember as a kid listening to the iconic Jack Buck and Mike Shannon broadcast the Cards games on KMOX radio sitting down on the farm in the Ozarks. My southside St. Louis nephews, now living in Boston and Seattle are still hardcore Cards fans, even planning their vacations around Cards Spring Training, and including their oleunclejohn down here in Florida. You can check out that adventure here… http://oleragtop.blogspot.com/2009/03/take-me-out-to-ball-game.html My favorite, and I remember it some 40 years later, was Jack Buck, with the game tied 2-2, two Cards on base, two Cards out and the numbers at the plate were two balls and two strikes, old Jack Buck called that “Deuces Wild here at Busch Stadium”..what a great time we had listening to Buck and Shannon calling those games. Thanks for bringing back those fond memories.
My favorite, from your link:
“look at that couple down there! Aren’t they a nice lookin couple, so in love!!! I betcha he kisses her on the strikes and she kisses him on the balls!!! heh heh heh”
I just love that I can turn on the game (well, I can’t anymore since I live in Chicago now with the Cubs fan *shudder*) and tell exactly what inning we’re on based on how many beers Shannon has had 🙂
I love the fact that the more he drinks the more he laughs and cackles.
This reminded me of way back when Dizzy Dean used to do Saturday broadcasts on national T.V. His sponsor, Budweiser, used to have a large pyramid of Bud cans as a backdrop in the booth. By the 7th inning, the pyramid would be gone and Dizzy would be in rare form.