Dick Enberg accepts "compliments" from critics
by jbox on May 28, 2010 4:22 PM PDT
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PrintJay Posner asked Dick Enberg about the criticism that he's been receiving on the web. The criticism being that he gets too excited when calling plays for the opponents of the Padres.
"Hmmm," Enberg said, "I find that a real compliment."
"I’m complimented that somebody feels that way," he said. "If you got 100 of those to one the other way, then I’m doing something wrong. But you have to balance it."
Isn't it a little bit disrespectful to accept someone's criticism as a compliment? The criticism obviously wasn't meant to be taken as a compliment. To me, that sounds like you aren't taking their criticism seriously. It comes off as condescending when you're telling a customer that you take pride in doing the exact opposite of what they want. Critics of his have not been respectful either with the number of unfunny dick jokes made at his expense on the web.
Personally I don't have a problem with Enberg. I like the broadcast as a whole. I think he and Mark Grant are pretty good together.
To start the season Enberg was definitely rusty. He barely paused long enough to let Grant chime in, he mispronounced player names and in some cases made the wrong call entirely. I think you have to accept those things since he hasn't broadcast a baseball game in a few decades and he can't have the best eye sight at his age. If you want the Grandfatherly charm and wisdom, you have to accept the times when ol' Granddad passes gas too.
I do think Enberg goes to the well a few times too many with the "Oh my!" and the antiquated "Touch 'Em All". The old standbys and repetitive delivery don't express the same genuine emotion that might come from a fresh call for each great play. Maybe that's why I'm not really bothered when he says "Touch 'Em All" for opposing teams. I don't feel any connection to it as a Padres fan. Not like Jerry Coleman's "Oh Doctor!"
The offensive moments to home team fans really only make up a small portion of the entire broadcast that's why I'm not too worried about it.
I'm not sure why Enberg is so concerned with the other teams fans. They are the worst. If he wants to placate that small audience than good luck, because they are all watching the away feed on MLB On Demand anyway.
"They sell tickets, too," Enberg said, noting the presence of fans of many teams in San Diego. "A lot of people migrated to this beautiful part of the world. So if you ignore them you’re alienating a percentage of your audience. I’m also not trying to alienate the majority because I want San Diego fans to be happy.
RJ's Fro let's us know that Enberg is making $1.4m a year for the next three years which makes his salary larger than 72% of the opening day roster. That is a big investment for a broadcaster but I imagine that's what it would take to get a nationally recognized broadcaster of his caliber. For me the money doesn't matter, it's not my money, I'm a fan. It's the same reason that I didn't care that our opening day roster salary was under $40 million. Just produce a good product that I'll enjoy and you can spend as much or as little as you want. We don't go to movies and say Paranormal Activity should have had a Transformers 2 budget, why do we care for baseball teams?
With all that said, Enberg isn't going to change his broadcasting style anytime soon. We have to accept the good with the bad and just keep complimenting him when he roots for the Dodgers.
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I find Dick's thinking our criticism is a compliment to be despicable
"But, I think it’s journalistically the right thing to do. If a guy hits a home run that wins the game and it’s not a Padre, I can’t say (lowering his voice into a monotone), ‘Well, there’s a home run by Jones and the Padres lose.’ I find that despicable."
I would LOVE Dick to tone it way down when an opposing player hits a HR. Especially a tying, go-ahead or winning HR. When I hear Dick get all excited when that happens, I feel like I’m going to be ill.
I cannot compliment anyone that cheers for the Dodgers.
I cannot compliment anyone that loves it when the Doyeur fans invade the Gaslamp and is
worried that he might offend them.
"Savvy Chicks Dig the Bullpen"
I agree with this post
Until Dick Enberg, I’d never really heard anybody say “Touch Em All” for a home run. For all I know, that’s apparently what he says whenever there’s a home run so I take no offense at that.
Let’s say Dick decided to suddenly start saying “hang a star” on great plays that the other team made, I’d be annoyed.
I like Enberg
"Lies they are awesome music with an awesome name. Cheers to Heath Bell for having good taste." -Ketchup
I don't really care too much
which is way I gave him a 5.
Gaslamp Ball Game OT: "Makes you happy in the pants"
MLB Network: "Keep believing!"
Heat: "Uhh, no. We know."
Emphatically a 0
twitter.com/matthewverygood
by matthewverygood on May 28, 2010 4:56 PM PDT reply actions
It would have have been a 6 or 7
until he made these quotes that he hates San Diego and the viewers. Its a 1 now.
I gave a 4...
The Dickisms are entertaining. But his overt enthusiasm for other teams, Milquetoast view of our team, and the IMHO the fact that he has made Mud less effective and comfortable leads me to feel that he is… less than average. Lower than replacement value if you will.
"This team looks dangerous, like a convict with a temper, nothing to lose and a switch blade." -jbox
I gave him a 5
There are three reasons I like him:
1. The could be no tv broadcast at all.
2. Dickisms. Efren. Warning Path. Etc.
3. If I don’t listen to what he’s saying, and just listen to the tone of his voice, it’s really calming and makes me feel like my grandpa’s reading me a bedtime story or something.
Hence the 5. But I hate his love for all of the other teams. And the fact that he takes the criticism as a compliment annoys me. There’s a reason I listen to the San Diego feed and not the opposing team. I want to hear nifty things about my team. I want to hear people get excited about MY team. I live in Oregon for Christ’s sake. I want to hear people being happy for the Padres, not the Mariners.
Silent majority?
Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
Bolts From The Blue "There’s a gleam men. Let’s go get the gleam! Focus and Finish!!! One play at a time!!! Let's Go!!!"
it kind of reminds me of that movie "You've got mail"...I'm Tom Hanks he's Meg Ryan -- Padres prospect Matt Antonelli on sdsuaztec4
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on May 28, 2010 6:21 PM PDT reply actions
"Extremely vocal minority"
www.FriarsOnCardboard.blogspot.com
"jbox does not drink coffee, as it makes him clean house big time." ~Kev
by TheThinGwynn on May 28, 2010 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I just want him to try adding a hint of resignation to his voice on the calls for the other team.
That subtle change would go a long way. Mentions of opposing teams fans in attendance should be accompanied by an exhortation for Padres fans to get down there and even things out. Also, never ever call Albert Pujols “Prince Albert” without using your sarcastic voice. Though sometimes maddening, he is still better than Quis or Neely.
That's a lot of 10s
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
“That’s a lot of 10s”
~the officer that arrested Kevin Ellison
www.FriarsOnCardboard.blogspot.com
"jbox does not drink coffee, as it makes him clean house big time." ~Kev
by TheThinGwynn on May 28, 2010 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I gave him a 7
His old man rustiness can be grating (though I think he’s getting gradually better as he gets back into the swing of things) but he has a great voice for broadcasting, obviously, and I think the criticisms about his impartiality are overblown. I don’t want a blowhard homer like that idiot with the White Sox.
I miss Vasgersian for his wit and humor, but he also has a very reedy voice that isn’t suited for exciting calls — I used to wince when his voice cracked during home run calls.
Neely is the broadcasting version of “replacement level.”
Toning down his enthusiasm a little bit for the opposition won't turn him into a homer.
"Shut the fuck up Donnie, you're out of your element!" ~Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski
7, trending to an 8
Plus, he’s not going anywhere, so whining is futile.
by TheGhostofRickMonday on May 29, 2010 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I really like how he continues to pronounce Salazar
as “Salad – Czar”. I keep thinking of a dour looking politician who is the head honcho in charge of making sure the salads are done right. Are your croutons nice and crunchy? thank the Salad Czar for cutting off the flow of stale croutons at the border and ensuring every american can enjoy their God given right to a decent salad.
It’s a little distracting, but a good baseball TV broadcast should be a little distracting.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jun 1, 2010 9:30 AM PDT reply actions
The mispronounciations are so bad that it is entertaining.
The one thing that TICKS me off is the constant mistakes/miscalls. During the Washington series he called them the Washington Senators. That team hasn’t been around since 1971!!! He’s always fumbling over himself. It just doesn’t seem right that he’s making $1.4 mil and he can’t even call the game right.
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