Al Michaels and Bob Costas to call Giants/Mets game.

[Upton]

Michaels and Bob Costas, two of the finest all-around sports announcers ever, will call a baseball game together for the first time as they collaborate on MLB Network's telecast of the Mets-Giants series opener, which is blacked out locally. Viewers who will see the telecast might be more fortunate than the luxury suite occupants at AT&T Park. As Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow said of Michaels and Costas, "They could be full-contact beer belching and they'd bring some sort of elegant credibility to their show."
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This represents a return to Michaels' broadcasting roots in more than one sense. He was the Giants' lead play-by-play announcer from 1974-76, his last job before he ascended to superstardom with ABC. Hence his reference to Koosman and Montefusco, who were top starters of that era for the Mets and Giants, respectively. Before joining the Giants, Michaels served as the voice of the Cincinnati Reds for three seasons. But Michaels hasn't done a baseball telecast since Game 5 of the 1995 World Series between Atlanta and Cleveland. It's no surprise that he's relishing this opportunity. "For me, was the foundation of my career," Michaels said on a conference call this week. "I built my career around baseball, started with baseball, always loved it."

Costas, who initiated the effort to bring Michaels back to the ballpark, expressed how fortunate viewers are. "This is a chance for people to hear Al and be reminded of how great he always had been as a baseball announcer, in addition to everything else he excels at," Costas said.
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Michaels and Costas will have to absorb the atmosphere on the run. The first three innings will be fairly basic, with Costas calling the first inning and a half and Michaels the next inning and a half. They'll speak directly to fans of both teams by switching to SportsNet New York's booth for the fourth and fifth innings before taking over ComCast SportsNet Bay Area's broadcast for the sixth and seventh innings (Krukow and Kuiper will handle MLB Network duties during that span). Then it's back to the MLB Network telecast for both Michaels and Costas.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110707&content_id=21555174&vkey=news_sf&c_id=sf&partnerId=rss_sf

This should be interesting, but to be honest I'm tired of both these guys....particularly Michaels..

[JonLP24]

1. Michaels is alright

I'm tired of Costas myself.

[Upton]

3. I understand how you feel about Costas..

and I might feel differently about Michaels if he hadn't started interjecting his RW views into his MNF telecasts. Normally, I try to avoid meshing politics and sports..but back in 2004 he and Dennis Miller actually went after John Kerry on the air. It wasn't the only time those two let the MNF audience know where they stood politically. I don't need that crap from sports announcers. I want them to stick to the job at hand and leave the politicking at home...

[JonLP24]

4. I don't remember much about the Miller's time with MNF

I knew Michaels is a Republican but had no idea he interjected politics. I liked him because he seems to know the game more than your average play-by-play guy. It is usually the color commentary guys that know the game well and add insight.

Thanks for the info though.

[Onceuponalife]

16. MNF hired Rush Limbaugh, too

He lasted two games or something. It certainly seemed for a while there the producers were trying to jump on the right-wing pundit band wagon. *shudder*

Can you imagine Glenn Beck in the booth with his white board?:tinfoilhat:

[brendan120678]

2. Michaels and Costas? No thanks....

I'll be watching on SNY.
I'll take Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez over those two any day.

[Upton]

5. You're going to get them during the 4th and 5th innings anyway..

only way to avoid them would be for you to switch to the MLB network during that time..I'm going to stick primarily to CSNBA myself..I'll take Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow over anybody..

[brendan120678]

6. Damn. Should have read the whole article first.

Of course, the Mets guys probably announced it on one of the recent broadcasts. I just haven't been able to watch past the second or third inning this week.

These West Coast games end way past my bedtime. Gotta be up at 5:00 am for work.

[inthebrain]

15. Gary, Keith and Ron are the shiznay!!!

Had to sit through Michaels and Costa's on the stream. Wanted to listen to Howie Rose call the game instead but couldn't locate the broadcast.

Michael's and Costas aren't terrible but I don't find them great either. I generally prefer the home broadcast anyways.

[rocktivity]

7. It's blacked out locally? In New York or San Francisco?

rocktivity

[Upton]

8. Just checked it out..

MLBN coverage of the Giants/Mets is going to be blacked out in both teams home markets..

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2011-07-05-mlb-network-bob-costas-al-michaels-wimbledon_n.htm

[Auggie]

9. Bob Costas is a talentless phony douchebag

He sat in a half inning on the radio broadcast last night with Dave Fleming and thought he'd be cool by referring to The City as " 'Frisco." Fucking clueless moron.

[El Supremo]

12. Wow! He's not as bad as I thought!

By about 0.001%

[Auggie]

13. He's a worthless prick, El.

[KamaAina]

10. Oh great. The last time Al Michaels called a national Giants telecast was

October 17, 1989. :scared:

[Auggie]

11. I thought of that too

[El Supremo]

14. Suck on it you jealous dooshbags!

Costas and Michaels are giving amazingly valuable insights into the history of the game. Too bad it's blacked out where you live.

:P

[Onceuponalife]

17. I watched it

It was pretty fun seeing those two together.