There is no substitute for being present, on the scene. I listen specifically because I cannot be there; that’s what I need from the announcer. I can watch TV myself. 

A trusted voice beckons the past into the present, a familiar phrase projects memories into the future.

At the beginning of the season, I did not think I’d be listening to more Sacramento A’s radio (non-family division) than any other. The A’s are a nomadic group of cost-controlled really fun ballers who find themselves in first place.

“Changeup!” Kevin Stocker, a former player and analyst on the WIP broadcast said to register his surprise at the pitch selection. 

“Need to change something up,” Scott Franzke offered, aridly, during Sunday’s Phillies broadcast. 

“Heh heh heh,” Stocker gave low-wattage assent.

It’s a Robert Altman movie of a baseball season and on Saturday John Henry, Sam Kennedy, and Craig Breslow delivered the first disruptive plot twist.

“What better day than today to turn it around than right here, right now.”  

Rick Monday, showed radio listeners the game against the Mets on Wednesday but also the game Brooklyn played against the Boston Braves nearly eight decades ago.

“He scored the winning run,” Monday said of Robinson’s debut on KLAC. “He was oh-for-three as far as the bat. But as a human being, he hit a grand slam for society.” 

“It’s not easy to sweep in four games,” Hill said. 

“If you sweep in four games, I think they call that a mop,” Rick Rizzs said. This is his final year before retirement and his 41^st with the Mariners.