Dodgers: A Look Back at the 2019 Season through Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser
For those of us blessed enough to let Dodgers baseball become part of our daily lives, watching our team play over the course of 162 games evokes many emotions and memories on and off the field, and if told properly, the story of the season becomes one we cherish with each turning of the page, and we never want to put it down.
Thankfully, for Dodgers fans, the story of our 2019 season was told partly through the eyes of the best broadcast crew in the business — specifically the on-air tandem of Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser.
The manner in which Joe Davis seamlessly stepped into the giant shoes of the legendary Vin Scully is well documented by many, and as his exhilarating calls quickly took on a life of their own during the 2017 season (I wrote a piece highlighting several of his best). As his camaraderie with his booth partner, the “Bulldog” Orel Hershiser blossomed over the 2017/2018 seasons, it quickly became obvious that the Dodgers had yet again hired one of the very best in the business in Joe.
Listening to the easy banter between the two of them became just as entertaining as the play on the field.
So, as this memorable summer of 2019 unfolded and I looked forward each night to tuning into the SNLA feed on my MLB.TV app and tuning out the realities of adult life, I listened while the chemistry of our master storytellers continued to perfect itself as we all enjoyed a historic Dodgers season together. And as the pair developed a cult-like following complete with their own Twitter fan accounts and nicknames, and as Orel single-handedly made us all hungry for a Pulled Pork Perogie Hoagie, I made notes.
Orel “There’s Macha”. “Did I say Macha? I meant Wacha”
Joe “I knew what you meant”
Orel “As I get older your interpretation skills are going to have to get better”
Joe “Well I’m going to keep you here as long as possible. We’ll have a Weekend at Bernie’s situation”
— Jorel (@HershiserDavis) August 7, 2019
Fun facts we learned about Orel:
- Thinks strikeouts are sexy
- Loves cats but is a dog person due to an adult dander allergy
- Never ceases to be amazed by the amount of fun info available on the internet
- Loves the Dodgers with all of his heart and soul and isn’t ashamed to admit it (a man after my own heart)
- Loves to sing Disney tunes
- In college, failed freshman English 3 times
- Fell asleep while watching Wedding Crashers
- Has a fondness for hazelnut infused croissants
Yet another enjoyable broadcast from the very best duo in the business, @Joe_Davis and @OrelHershiser. When they get together to watch Caddshack and Wedding Crashers on an off-day this season, I hope there be live tweeting involved. #Dodgers
— Gail Johnson (@GJOH29) June 30, 2019
Pop culture that Joe educated Orel on:
- Mario Kart
- “Dad Rock”
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- The Zombies
- Roxy Music
@Joe_Davis in honor of Father’s Day, and in relation to the recent discussions of the definition of “Dad Rock”, I humbly present: pic.twitter.com/YgIYPkobml
— Jake love, not war. (@Jagasi_66) June 16, 2019
Tidbits about Joe’s season:
- Called Omar Estevez “Carlos” (twice)
- Set Twitter ablaze by being the first to point out that Josh Tomlin looks astonishingly similar to Bradley Cooper
- Mistakenly believed The Cranberries’ “Zombie” was performed by Alanis Morrisette
- Is unapologetically NOT afraid of the “Jinx Police”
- Believes kale should be massaged before it is eaten
- Doesn’t really know what or who Hello Kitty is
- Calls Orel “60 and Savvy”
@Joe_Davis Josh Tomlin does look like Bradley Cooper to me too. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/tXuSGwYFGa
— Dairenn??????? (@Dairenn) May 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/980267600423747584
Fascinating stories about former major leaguers that Joe told us:
- Babe Adams
- Bumpus Jones
- Joe “Ducky” Medwith
- Chicken Wolf
Great note from Joe Davis … no-hitter in ML debut never been thrown from 60 feet, 6 inches. Bumpus Jones did it in 1892 from 55 1/2 feet.
— Jay Posner (@sdutPosner) April 9, 2016
And finally, one of the very best exchanges of the season:
(talking about dinosaur fossils)
"Carbon dating…that's a new website!" – Orel
"Where scientists go to meet scientists…I like it" – Joe
Best booth in the business and I won't hear otherwise
— Rick Krajewski (@Rick_K21) June 28, 2019
I think I can speak for Dodgers fans everywhere when I say that I’m very much looking forward to hearing what comes next from these two.
What are some of your favorite Joe/Orel moments from 2019?
Gail I agree Joe and Orel are magic. I love the by-play. I live in AZ and subscribe to MLB so I can get the Dodgers broadcast. I wish I could get the pregame or post game shows but so far not able.
Davis allows Orel to expand on his comments about baseball and Orel is so informative especially from a players perspective. I am 68 and grew up with Vinny and miss him but life is all about change and evolution. .
The Dodgers brought in a team that is very different but great on its own. The addition of a veteran insightful player like Orel has added a new dimension to the broadcast.
How do I siggn uup ffor MLB as I can’t get Dodger games on TV where I live and I would like very much to at least listen to there games. Just like I loved listening to them from Brooklyn. Yes, I’ve been a Dodger fan since I wwas 6 yrs. old in Montana.