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There are some changes to the 2023 Toronto Blue Jays TV broadcasts. From Dan Shulman doing more, to Pat Tabler retiring, to others moving on or taking on new challenges.
As a fan who lives outside of the Greater Toronto Area, almost all of my exposure to the Jays has been on TV and Sportsnet broadcasts. This is of real interest to me and will be to any Jays fan in Canada.
It would be impossible to do an article about Jays broadcasters without giving a shout-out to Buck Martinez. His easy manner of expression and the relevant stories he can mine from first-hand experience as a player, manager and broadcaster are unmatched. He makes broadcasting enjoyable while doing it for the current game and the players, not himself. We as Jays fans are lucky to have him. Let him continue until he decides not to.
After a long service, Pat Tabler will not be a part of things next year. His depth of knowledge and experience will be hard to replace. Current discussions show that he did not jump, but was pushed. Now he will be able to unequivocally cheer on his Cincinnati Reds. I say thanks and good luck Tabby, but I think it’s time.
Dan Shulman will pick up some of the slack with Tabby’s departure. He will play all the home games as well as some of the away games. He’s great to listen to, with the perspective of a Jays fan nurtured since childhood. He can bring excitement without overdoing it. He also gave up a pretty good gig with ESPN Radio to be more with the Jays. I look forward to Dan’s calls and insights from March.
Who will Dan’s partner(s) be? It’s up in the air as of now. It could be Buck, depending on his personal situation and health. At the very least, I hope Buck can show up periodically.
When Buck is gone, who? The general feeling is that we will be seeing a lot of Joe Sydal. This is not bad. He brings a deep understanding of the passion of the game and many of its intricacies. He’s articulate and a Jays fan, but not too ra-rah and not hard to listen to.
Hazel May was the field reporter doing the interviews and did a more than acceptable job. I wish they would give her a shot as a color commentator on some of the shows. I believe she will perform well. Arash Medani has also filled in when Hazel was otherwise engaged, and does a pretty good job, even if his mother dresses him funny.
I expect Jamie Campbell to continue to lead the studio cast as he has in recent years. His supporting cast lately has been Joe Sydal. Joe was a definite upgrade on the stubborn and gruff Greg Zaun in my books. Hazel could also handle the task next to Jamie as required.
Vernon Wells has been a very good guest commentator for the past few years. Knowledgeable, articulate, knows what he’s talking about. He will be high on my list for an expanded role in the booth.
Caleb Joseph did quite well last year. Not a bad choice in a pinch, but he’s further down my list of people whose time I’d increase. No criticism as such, just general fan reaction.
The radio shows feature Ben Wagner. Admittedly, TV is my medium, so for the most part I don’t have an opinion, but what I’ve seen from spring training interviews and a few other spots, I wouldn’t increase his TV time.
And there’s Matt Devlin. I don’t follow the Raptors, but I expect him to do a good job. From the few Jays games he pitched last year, I didn’t think he was terrible, but I didn’t feel the baseball chemistry for me as a fan. I’m not a fan of him being regular.
facebook broadcast? Broadcast on YouTube? Ugh, never again if I get my way! Enough said.
So, true to the Jays Journal, you have the thoughtful opinion of ColinR, a Jays fan and frequent Jays Journal commenter. What is anyone else’s opinion on the distributors? Anyone I missed? Please tune in. I look forward to your comments.
And this first article of mine I would like to end with the only prayer I really know. Can I become the person my dog thinks I am.
The Carlos Correa fiasco may have helped the Jays acquire Conforto. dark. The next one
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