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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2009 > January > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAs an analyst, Sutton is a real Dandy Don
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a Braves fan of my acquaintance who can’t bear the sound of Don Sutton’s voice. He talks too much, she believes, and as a measure of her displeasure she’d mute the sound when he was on TV. And to a degree I’d agree.
Yes, Sutton does rattle on. Yes, he can come across as smug. Yes, the pairing of Sutton and the late Skip Caray bore the worst attributes of two frat boys on an extended road trip. I’ll concede all of the above, and then I’ll sweep every quibble aside.
Because I consider Don Sutton the best baseball analyst I’ve ever heard.
Yes, I said “ever.” Yes, I meant it.
The man knows pitching like few know pitching, and pitching is 90 percent of baseball. The best description of Sutton I’ve ever heard came from the late Jeff Denberg, who covered the Hawks with great distinction for the AJC and was a TV writer — and therefore a fairly severe critic — in an earlier vocational manifestation. And here’s what Jeff said of Sutton: “I learn something new every time I listen to him.”
And so do I. Being the ancient age of 53, I grew up listening to ballgames on the trusty transistor, and through the magic of XM Radio I’ve tapped into most every broadcast crew there is. I’ve never heard anyone to match Sutton — not on radio, not on TV, nowhere no time.
As much as I like and admire Tom Glavine, I don’t much care if he throws another pitch for the Braves. But I’m pumped to the gills that Sutton is coming back to call Braves games and that, better still, he’s doing radio only. Because on radio it’s tough to talk too much. And even if Sutton tries — being a contrary cuss, he just might — I’ll forgive him. Because he’s the best there is.
The best, I said. And I mean it.
Permalink | Comments (44) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By Mark
January 29, 2009 7:34 AM | Link to this
I agree, Sutton is a great analyst. I would rather he was on TV though.
By MW
January 29, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this
I am thrilled that Don Sutton is coming back. Win or lose he made listening or watching the Brave’s entertaining. Thanks Braves.
By big al
January 29, 2009 8:10 AM | Link to this
I am glad Don Sutton is returning too. Also like you, I do not care if Glavine pitches for the Braves again. If the Braves could not keep Smoltz, why in the world would they care about keeping Glavine. Smoltz was twice the pitcher and competitor that Glavine every was. I feel that if Glavine had pitched for a middle of the road team, he would have about 200 wins now and be lucky if anyone outside of his family knew he pitched in the major leagues.
By BlytheIslandDawg
January 29, 2009 8:27 AM | Link to this
“The best”? Please tell me you are kidding. I’ll admit Sutton would make a good pitching coach due to his knowledge and experience, but I would almost rather listen to Tim McCarver (I said almost). The main problem I have with Sutton is when he mangles play-by-play. Two calls that I remember him making numerous times in one form or another: “There’s a line-drive to left” (pause), “caught by the left-fielder”. Anyone else remember: “There’s a fastball over”,(pause), “just outside”. Both very misleading to this avid baseball fan. Sutton I could do without.
By MARK
January 29, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
Its Funny how mean bloggers are some time Glavine loves the Team I wish he and Smoltz would buy it..Glavine won our only world series championship game a masterful 1-0 gem.it was great.he has been a consistent pitcher and a player who respects the game.you might be suprised that Lowe aint worth 15 million(might win 10 games) and the guy from Japan maybe can not pitch to magor league batters and we need a lefty..gnaw on that a few minutes. Don sutton is a good guy he as well loves the Braves
By Lee in S GA
January 29, 2009 8:34 AM | Link to this
Being 50 years of age I got so use to listening to Braves games on the radio growing up until I still occasionally prefer listening to one over television. This being the case always on the ones on Peachtree T.V. since I cannot get the station in the first place. I too enjoy Sutton and I am glad he is coming back. Joe and Boog sometimes get a little boring to me on T.V. also.
By Mark Bradley
January 29, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Tim McCarver is one of the reasons I listen to games on XM. Joe Morgan is another.
By esekej
January 29, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this
Said it before and I’ll say it again…DON’T want to listen to Sutton…Smug is a kind word to describe his prattling. If only all Braves current pitchers could pitch like he says he would… or did… No denying his knowledge of the game… but he makes listening to a game a joB…instead of a joY
By Heath
January 29, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
I’m glad Sutton is coming back as well. I like Mark Lemke as well. I think those two calling a game would be a hoot given their perspectives as pitcher/hitter.
What say you?
By Skeezix
January 29, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
The Braves standards have already been lowered on the playing field and now in the radio booth. Sutton’s mouth runs on and on and on…he is totally unlistenable. I’d rather get a root canal. I will not be listening to any Braves radio broadcasts.
By Eric
January 29, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
Very glad Sutton is returning to the Braves both—wish it was also TV! I miss him in a Dodgers’ uniform too—no matter how history is written—Koufax, Drysdale, Valenzuela, Hershiser—it will be Sutton who tops them all when you look at the number of trips the Dodgers made to the playoffs between 1966-80. Sutton was not a one-hit wonder, but stood the test of time!!
By noddy dred
January 29, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
FEBRUARY 1. 375 LUCKIE ST. THE LUCKY LOUNGE. DOORS OPEN AT 3:00 PM. CELEBRITIES, WOMEN, FOOTBALL, FUN. HALFTIME: DJ CANNON.
STEWPERBOWL 1By Bailer
January 29, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Simple, turn sound off tv and turn sutton up loud on radio. where thier a will, u know the rest
By matt r
January 29, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this
I am with you BlytheIslandDawg. It seemed like he was mangling play-by-play more than usual in his last year with ATL, so much so I almost worried if he was calling the games under the influence and that may have had something to do with his dismissal. There is absolutely no evidence of that I know of, just my wild conjecture.
By EW
January 29, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
We have had two losing seasons since Sutton left. I don’t know if they are connected but it is great to have him back. I have to disagree with you about McCarver. He is the one who wrote the book on smugness and how to talk too much. When I hear McCarver doing a game it makes me want to drive my car off a cliff. Maybe it goes back to Deion.
By bobby
January 29, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
Sutton may talk a good game but he also played a good game. Check his record.
By Seymour1948
January 29, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
I absolutely agree about Sutton. I learned quite a lot from him that I didn’t get from other announcers. However, I think my absolute favorite is Pete Van Wieren. Man, he combined incredible baseball knowledge with a great low-key demeanor and an incredible ability to call a good game. I will definitely miss having him around.
By Mark Bradley
January 29, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
Perhaps I wasn’t clear on McCarver and Morgan. The reason I listen to XM Radio is because they’re on TV. And I can’t abide either.
By willdave
January 29, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this
Mark, I agree. I think Don Sutton is a top-notch announcer. I don’t really understand his critics. I always enjoyed listening to Sutton’s analyses. I’d always learn a thing or two from listening to this Hall of Famer. Besides, he comes across as being a genuine nice guy.
I’m glad Sutton wants to return to Atlanta after being snubbed as he was two years ago. I’m glad the Nationals agreed to release him from his contract. And I’m glad the Braves had the good sense to return him to their broacast booth.
Welcome back, Don!
By allen
January 29, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
The best thing to happen to Braves broadcasting since time warner and subsequent ownership.
By Time to Guess
January 29, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
Ok Mark, if you think you can predict the final four, how about predicting who is going to hit fourth for the Braves
By Jim H.
January 29, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
Agreed, Sutton is a very knowledgeable announcer and I’m very glad he is coming back. I only have two problems with him………..
1.) His radio play by play leaves a lot to be desired. Lots of time you can’t tell whether it’s a home run or a pop up to short left field until after the play is over. 2.) He talks about golf too dang much. I don’t play golf and I ain’t interested in hearing about it all the time (my annoyance probably comes from many years traveling for my job. While waiting in airports and riding on planes I had to listen to too many out of shape middle aged men talk about their golf game…..now if he wants to talk about hunting/fishing, that would be fine with me!)
By CC
January 29, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
Yep. He knows his stuff, knows the nuances of the game, comes at it from many different angles.
And probably the best of all:
… he doesn’t have that “bred-for-broadcast” type of voice, which I can’t stand to listen to for very long. Don’s a down-home type guy that makes you feel like he’s sitting on your front porch sharing things.
Turn on the TV, turn down the sound, turn on the radio, and turn that sound up. Sometimes when the booth chemistry is just right you don’t care if the home guys win or lose, because the listening experience is enough in itself.
Welcome back, Don.
By Mark Bradley
January 29, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this
I will also concede that Don is a better analyst than play-by-play man.
Speaking of play-by-play: Does anyone remember Billy Sample’s work in that area? Yikes.
By BradH
January 29, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the McCarver/Morgan clarification. I was a little worried about you.
By Stuart
January 29, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
JOe Morgan is still clinging to a few scant observations he made. One of them was in the 1995 World Series when Belliard made that great catch in the nith of game 6. After that and a couple others, he thought he was a genius. I gave up on him a couple of years ago when Rachel Robinson was in the booth on a day to honor her husband and Morgan admonished her for cheering. What a butthead!! It was classless and stupid. As for McCarver, how many of you wanted to pay Deion’s fine for him?
By Robert S
January 30, 2009 12:45 AM | Link to this
I had to suffer through Billy Sample’s play-by-play debacles circa 1987 or 1988, and I must confess that while Don Sutton is not the smoothest play-by-play man in baseball, he easily outshines Sample in every way. Sutton’s redeeming quality is that he’s the best color analyst in the sport. Sample had no such redeeming quality. It was “deer in the headlights” with that guy. Eek!!
By Jerry
January 30, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
I’ll start listening to radio.
I will say again, “Wouldn’t it be funny if the Braves make the playoffs and Smoltz doesn’t.
Welcome back Don.
No Skip, No Pete and No Ernie Sr.
Go Don
By Braves & XM Fan
January 30, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this
XM Satellite Radio & the MLB Channel on there caused me to fall in love with Baseball all over again.
Quite simply, it is the greatest game ever played.
By Poorbrave
January 30, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this
Love Don Sutton and was pis…..when he was let go. Thank God he’s coming back. Now, bring back Mazzone!! Let Glavine and A. Jones stay gone.
By Joe Simpleson
January 31, 2009 1:46 AM | Link to this
DAMAGE CONTROL
By Ultrasuede
January 31, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
I am glad that Sutton is back with the Braves; he and Steve Stone are the two best analysts I’ve heard. I agree with you, Mark, about Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver — they’re both brutal to listen to. Too bad that the best play-by-play guy I know of, Jon Miller, has to deal with Morgan’s rambling nonsense when they work together on ESPN.
I will miss Pete Van Wieran a ton, but having Sutton and Simpson with the Braves is a treat. Now if they could only get rid of Chip Carey, one of the worst announcers I’ve heard, we’d be golden.
By Ultrasuede
January 31, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this
Sorry, I spelled Caray’s last name incorrectly in my previous e-mail.
By Jeff
February 1, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this
I wanted to bring back Don Sutton when Skip passed away. Didn’t happen. I listen to XM and I subcribe to MLB.TV which gives me the oppurtunity to hear and see Don. You could tell when the Braves played the Nats that Don wanted the Braves to win. It got so bad last year that he was off the air during Braves and Nats games. He needs to be here and I’m happy that he is. As for Chip, just leave. Chip has never made it through a broadcast without bragging on the Cubs. He quit them to come here. However, he just can’t get over that he prefers the Cubs over the Braves. But, it’s like Don Sutton preffed the Braves over the Nats. It’s nice to get our home team home.
By Nurlman
February 1, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
How do you work it so that you can watch the TV and get the sound from radio? Seems to me radio’s always ahead. So you heard Skip say, “There’s a drive!” while the batter was still adjusting his batting gloves.
Wouldn’t mind trying it with Don in there, just as I did when they put Skip and Pete on radio. Didn’t work.
By stanleysisson
February 1, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
are some of you people crazy or what Tim Mccraver is the most borest broadcaster to ever call the game.he over analize every pitch.Don Sutton is 10 times better.and i am glad he is back.
By LivininAL
February 2, 2009 4:01 AM | Link to this
Go Don! Welcome Home! To hear McCarver and Morgan as analysts is like having open heart surgery when you need a bandaide..I can hear Tim doing his preseason practice now..”THAT WAS MISTAKE.” Seems he and Morgan are cheating the baseball world by not becoming managers.
By Its great......
February 2, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this
Its great to get DON back. Awesome. Especially after last years sadness in the booth.
Now Frankster—-Please get us some HITTER(s). 299+ avg please. This current team cant hit(HOSS & MAC excluded). PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! DO a multi trade to get some pop. Get Scherholz out of wheelchair and MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The EAST is full of power and pitching if we dont “join” in the club we are going to be in the same position as last year- flirting w/ bottom.
By P. Rose
February 5, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this
I have to admit it’s good to have Don back after the passing of Skip and Pete’s retirement. There’s comfort in familiarity. But those darn cliches! “He’ll make a U-turn and get a new piece of lumber… That was right down broadway… 1,2,3, nothin’ doin’… That’ll put a lid on it…” etc. And listen to what happens when the team that’s behind in the score gets a run - this is weird, but Don still emphasis the higher score, even when it’s the lower score that has changed: “The Braves finally get on the board with Chipper’s solo homer, and it’s FIVE to one.” I swear, he does that every time.
By Mel in Midtown
February 5, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
If I hear “Boog” refer to the bases loaded as the “sacks packed” one more time, I’m gonna shoot my TV.
I find Boog and Joe Simpson BORING!!!!!!!!!
By Dave
February 6, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
Being a former frat man myself, I enjoyed the “Worst attributes of two frat boys on an extended road trip!” Sutton is — and Skip Carey was — irreverent, funny and unafraid to say exactly what they thought, or think. Nothing phony about either one of them. Sutton was never hard to listen to for me; that distinction went to Van Wieren…to me HE was boring. I’m glad Don is back. I only wish they’d pair him with Joe in the TV booth instead of that buffoon ‘Boog’. Then I’d buy the MLB Extra-Innings pack again.
By ballauthor
February 11, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
Sutton should have stayed in Washington. He may know a lot about pitching but he’s pompous, makes frequent factual errors, and has a terrible voice. Most players don’t make good broadcasters and he’s just another example.
By Joe Simpleson
February 11, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this
DAMAGE CONTROL The other half of Frick & Frack is back!
By Steve
February 15, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
Thankfully, the MLB Extra Innings package on DirecTV will allow me to listen to the ‘other’ broadcasting team when I watch the Braves. I was so happy when he left, I can’t believe they brought him back. I agree he’s ‘the best’, if you spell ‘best’ w-o-r-s-t.