Charley Steiner Signs 3-year Extension
No, you’re not getting Steiner’d. Via Larry King, Charley Steiner will be calling Dodger games on radio and occasionally via your TV for the next 3 years.
Congratulations to my good buddy #CharleySteiner, who just signed a 3 year extension to be the @Dodgers radio play-by-play announcer! Way to go, Charley!
— Larry King (@kingsthings) December 14, 2018
Years Of Experience
I’ve not been particularly kind to Uncle Charley on twitter this year, and neither have many others. Before I delve into the reasons this 3 year extension could be a disaster, let’s be honest for posterity.
Charley Steiner’s career is fantastic. Charley began his illustrious career in broadcasting in 1969. I’m not going to list his career accomplishments here. They are impressive and long, and readily available. He’s been a consummate professional and was tremendously impressive on Sportscenter in its early days. That said…
Uncle Charley Has Slipped
We all occasionally have had life circumstances where instead of the experienced and charming ‘dad voice’ of Hershiser and the youthful and forward thinking Joe Davis, we’ve gotten the radio/audio broadcast of the game. Charley Steiner and Rick Monday/Kevin Kennedy. This means one can’t see the game. In this experience, we rely on the accuracy and wisdom of Charley and Rick/Kevin. The problem with that idea is….Charley has obviously slipped at his nice age of 69. He frequently gets the names of players wrong (on our own Dodger team) but usually corrects himself. This happens by the time we are very confused on our commute home. Occasionally though, he confuses Joc Pederson with Max Muncy. Those two look as much alike as I do with Shaquille O’Neal.
If one doesn’t listen to Charley much, this story probably seems funny. It seems like a charming old uncle. This is but one example however, and Charley frequently confuses players, the number of outs, and most egregiously; he tends to confuse the trajectory of any fly ball.
This is a rather well known trope on Dodger Twitter. Often there’s a shallow fly ball to the outfield, but the timbre in Charley’s voice would lead one to believe the ball is going to the parking lot. Continuing with the contrasts, Charley’s home run calls would often lead you to believe a ball is going to be fielded by the 2nd basemen in shallow right.
DRIVEN HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT! WAY BACK! and it's caught by the 3rd baseman for out number 2. https://t.co/NOEcacrPqX
— Blake (@ByBlakeWilliams) December 14, 2018
He’s Still Charming Uncle Charley
All of those criticisms not withstanding, Charley Steiner still has his way with words. He still finds ways to share fun anecdotes, the occasional fantastic turn of phrase, and still sounds very comfortable in the booth with Rick Monday or Kevin Kennedy. Hopefully he doesn’t continue to sound so comfortable that we’re lead to believe he’s asleep in a recliner in his living room. Hopefully he still sounds like the Charley Steiner who’s resume makes anyone’s pale in comparison.
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I think Charley is a classic, and when he is with Rick Monday it is some of the best baseball entertainment there is. They laugh together, make me laugh and give intelligent baseball analysis.
I have to question the use of the word “intelligent” to describe “Chuckles” Steiner. First, the team wants to trade Puig, now they sign an extension to the clown? I’m probably alone in this, but this fan has limits that are getting stretched pretty thin with our FO.
I enjoy Charlie Steiner and some of his quirks, but Rick Monday just likes to hear himself talk. How many times every year must I hear him explain that a foul tip must go directly from the bat to the catcher’s mitt, and that if it doesn’t, it is just a foul ball? It seems he expains this whenever he and Kennedy work together.
Wow. I really didn’t see a lot of cheer for Charlie. I can understand. When I first started listening he seemed good at the job. I know he’s no Vin Scully but I think the Dodgers could have found a better talent. Rick Monday at the helm and Ross Porter or Orel Hershiser. Please excuse my spelling, I know I’m not perfect.
The main thing about him is when he and whoever he is broadcasting with start to drift away from the game and talk about other silly stuff that has nothing to do with the game. then he’s trying to backtrack to let the fans know what happened.
~~RUBEN C. CHARLIE WAS REHIRED BECAUSE US “BAYBOOMER” LOVE HIS REMININCING ABOUT THE GOOD OLDE DAYS~ IT’S CALLED BASEBALL HISTORY FROM A VERY “SPECIAL GUY” WHO LIVED THROUGH IT!~ I DON’T KNOW HOW OLD U ARE BUT MAYBE THIS WILL GIVE U A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHAT HE IS ALL ABOUT~~ U CAN’T COMPARE BASEBALL ANNNOUCERS TO VIN SCULLY! EACH ONE HAS BEEN “BLESSED” WITH THEIR OWN TALENTS ……..YAH!……GOOOO DODGERS!
Hey folks, Get an XM radio..or MLB package and listen to some of the other radio announcers……Charley exceeds most!
Just when I thought we were going to be rid of the old wind bag they give him three more years.
Whatever
Steiner ain’t no Vin Scully but then again who is!
Oh man, I really like Rick Monday and Charlie Steiner, even with his quirks. They are enjoyable, but at times a bit tedious. But, the problem I have is they almost never update you with the game situation because they’re too busy talking. On the radio it’s especially nice to know outs, count, baserunners, inning. Vin Scully is a high bar, we were spoiled.
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They hit a home run with Joe Davis though!
They absolutely did hit a home run with Joe Davis. That is (to me) unequivocal. I’ve seen people comment that they’re not huge JD fans and this confounds me. Thanks for the feedback!