Listening to T-Mac refer to Rollins' double as a "ground rule single" is just another in a long line of gaffes by him and it leads me to this question: of all the announcer prospects including Scott Franzke and Scott Graham, how was McCarthy chosen as Harry Kalas' successor? I know Harry's shoes were too big to fill, there had to be someone better. I mean, when Gene Hart died, at least Jim Jackson and Tim Saunders are very good. So, anyone know the logic behind choosing McCarthy?

At least he doesn't dye his rug and use the word "goofy."

I feel like he's just a bridge to the next long-term, broadcasting icon. An icon really can't follow up an icon- this was mentioned during the "Who's going to follow up Joe Paterno?" days.

So in 2015, when the Phillies say goodbye to Comcast, I'd imagine that's around the same time they say goodbye to T-Mac and hello to, hey, who knows, Todd Kalas?

<I feel like we wouldn't get like 50,000,000 threads like this a year if Todd Kalas had succeeded his father. Not saying that's because he's any good, I heard he's a pretty bad announcer, but I do however feel that people would cut Todd and infinite amount of slack if he was announcing (even poorly) because he's Harry's son. I think people are so overly critical of the current ones only because they're not Harry. I know they're not perfect, but people are WAAAAAAY harder on them than they really need to be and probably wouldn't be if it was Todd.

Doesn't Kane Kalas sound more like Harry anyways? In all honesty, I would be content with Larry Anderson taking the reigns. Dude is great, truly a "blue collar" down to earth announcer. That's what this city likes/needs.

Maybe. I'm not saying I want Todd Kalas, I know thta idea was thrown around in 09, though. I think whoever comes after T-Mac will be a Philly guy, not someone who previously worked for the Mets.

I agree, I would love to see LA in there, but LA unfortunately doesn't want to do TV. For some people they chose to do radio for a reason and LA has his reasons as is why he said he does not want to do TV.

No. He was sitting in the stands when Harry died. They never groomed a replacement.

T-Mac has been a professional sports broadcaster for many years..(Pro, college, semi-pro) for both baseball and basketball. I doubt he is a big fan of any one team. Broadcasting is his job. That is what he does. I don't mind him or any of our announcers either way. This subject has been beat to death because everyone has their own opinion when it comes to sports broadcasters. And as someone on this thread pointed out, I would bet most people base their opinion on "He is no Harry". Of course not, he does not pretend to be. He knows he is sitting in a legends seat.

@Helll I still miss Mel Allen. But, you move on.

For at least the past three years, Todd Kalas only does TV interviews with fans during games and some pre and post-game inerviews with Marlins players. If he can't crack either the Marlins' regular radio broadcasting team or the TV team (that includes ex-Phillie, Tommy Hutton) then he's never going to be in the upper echelon of baseball announcers like his father.

Todd Kalas was working for the phillies back in the Prism days. I don't remember if he called play by play then or not as I was too young. Back then they had different broadcasters for each network. For example I don't think Harry normally called games on Prism. In fact, I think Jim Barniak called a lot of the games on Prism and Terry Mullholland's no hitter was called by him.

I think McCarthy tries to get too much information out there so fast which is why he makes a lot of mistakes. Does anyone know how many years he signed his contract for?

All in all, I don't think he is the worst in the world but I wouldn't mind hearing Scott Franzke call the middle innings on the TV.

Correct, Todd did do PRISM games back in the day and he wasn't too good. We've moved on from those days, let's not go back.

when you see what Todd is doing now, and has been for several years, you realize how much of it is due to the last name. If he were even marginal his role would be much higher profile

how 'bout that

Actually if you listen, most people base T-Mac's performance on his constant gaffes and the need to never stop talking, ever. Yes he isn't Kalas but if you took a sip of beer every time he said something that was wrong, whether or not he corrected himself, you'd be hammered at the end of the game. Try it sometime.

"the 3 ring sign...ask the man for Ballantine..."..wasnt that part of Mel's schtick too..I loved that guy..couldnt believe it the day the Yanks released him..

someone please remind me why Scott Graham was shown the door....I like him a lot

and I do not want Franske and L.A. going anywhere....perfect for the radio

ha, you could go thru plenty of drinks just on the amount of times he corrects himself.

Yep..listened to a lot of "Ballantine Blasts", back in the day

Also remember "White Owl" cigars getting into some HR calls