Rusanowsky and Baker on Radio

[SJSharksfan39]

I had to work tonight and because they wanted me to come in early tomorrow I couldn't watch the game when I got home so I had to listen to the Radio Call. Man I remember when I was first getting into the Sharks I would listen to Rusanowsky almost all the time, and while it's better to watch hockey instead of listening to hockey, it was fun to listen to the game tonight.

However, the main subject of this thread is has anyone else listened to the game instead of watched the game (Or synced it up to hear the call and mute the TV)? Do Dan and Jamie have a bit of a bromance in the booth or something because some of their witticisms were amusing, but a little awkward. I remember when Rusanowsky did the games by himself and he and Baker have great chimestry together, but does anyone else feel the same way?

Also, just because they don't get enough credit, if you have listened to the game, what do you guys think of the radio announcers. I think my earliest memory of Dan Rusanowsky was how he would never miss a game, but one day he was in a car accident and had to miss several that season. I remember him telling the story on that Voices show on NHL Network, but I actually remember it happening, and it felt like a big loss.

 

[Sandisfan]

Rusanowsky and Baker were at the same College

Rusanowsky and Baker were at the same College at the same time. Rusanowsky worked radio and Baker was player and they have a long history together.

 

[eastbayjoker]

Rusanowsky is like rain man when it comes to hockey knowledge. Far and above your normal "broadcaster being prepared" kinda thing. I'm a total homer in this regard (and I know Dan a little bit), but he's the best in the business.

 

[SanJoseRedditor]

I definitely prefer Baker over Drew, but I prefer Hahn over Rusanowsky. I feel that Baker, since he's played in the NHL, has a better understanding about the responsibilities each player has, and can understand/empathize with the player better than Drew can.

The way Rusanowsky pronounces names like Kovalchuk, Babchuk, etc. really grinds my gears (Koval-chook, Bab-chook). I'm not saying he is bad overall, but I think Randy is the best in the biz and definitely a cut above Rusanowsky.

 

[Alwalys]

I think we are lucky to have two top-notch crews
The randy-drew bromance is the best part! haha

 

[SHARPENCAP]

Rusanowsky is like rain man when it comes to hockey knowledge. Far and above your normal "broadcaster being prepared" kinda thing. I'm a total homer in this regard (and I know Dan a little bit), but he's the best in the business.

I second in what you say and totally agree with you! He's one of my friends as well and he is very informative and a dead serious hockey broadcaster meaning he takes his job seriously with pride and joy

 

[WTFetus]

I don't listen to the radio much, but when I do, I can't help but think Baker is irrelevant. I mean, I like his insight, but having a color commentator over the radio seems kinda pointless.

Drew should leave and they should have a 3-man TV crew with Randy, Baker, and Hedican.

 

[CrazedZooChimp]

I definitely prefer Baker over Drew, but I prefer Hahn over Rusanowsky. I feel that Baker, since he's played in the NHL, has a better understanding about the responsibilities each player has, and can understand/empathize with the player better than Drew can.

So you didn't think much of Drew as a coach, eh?

I love listening to the radio guys, and certainly don't mind if I can't watch a game on TV as long as I can listen to the radio. I think we're blessed with four pretty good broadcasters. It's why I always love the hockey hot stove videos on sjsharks.com.

 

[The Nemesis]

I definitely prefer Baker over Drew, but I prefer Hahn over Rusanowsky. I feel that Baker, since he's played in the NHL, has a better understanding about the responsibilities each player has, and can understand/empathize with the player better than Drew can.

The way Rusanowsky pronounces names like Kovalchuk, Babchuk, etc. really grinds my gears (Koval-chook, Bab-chook). I'm not saying he is bad overall, but I think Randy is the best in the biz and definitely a cut above Rusanowsky.

It's always been my understanding that Dan's pronunciation ("chook" vs "chuck" ) is actually correct (or at least as correct as a westerner can get without the ability to properly pronounce Russian phonemes), though Kovalchuk apparently decided a few years into his career to accept the "chuck" pronunciation as correct for western broadcasters simply because he was tired of having to correct everyone.

I also swear that I've heard that Dan will actually go and talk to players whose names he doesn't know how to pronounce and ask them for the right version since the NHL media guide doesn't always have it correct. Though in this case it did.

In 2006, it was listed as "koh-vuhl-CHOOK"

In the 2013 guide it's now "koh-vuhl-CHUCK"

What's actually correct, and what's good enough can easily be two different things. My last name is French, but nobody (not even here in Canada) ever got the pronunciation right. So my great-grandfather decided "**** it", the logical anglicized version was fine and roughly correct enough.

Now, the continuing issue is that nobody ever gets the anglicized version correct either, but I don't think anyone's changing it now.

 

[kluu]

the way Dan says SCORES is awesome

 

[Alwalys]

I also swear that I've heard that Dan will actually go and talk to players whose names he doesn't know how to pronounce and ask them for the right version since the NHL media guide doesn't always have it correct. Though in this case it did.

I believe I've heard this too, probably on some broadcast at some point. Strikes me as the kind of thing he'd do, he seems like a perfectionist.

 

[Thepainter]

I definitely prefer Baker over Drew, but I prefer Hahn over Rusanowsky. I feel that Baker, since he's played in the NHL, has a better understanding about the responsibilities each player has, and can understand/empathize with the player better than Drew can.

The way Rusanowsky pronounces names like Kovalchuk, Babchuk, etc. really grinds my gears (Koval-chook, Bab-chook). I'm not saying he is bad overall, but I think Randy is the best in the biz and definitely a cut above Rusanowsky.

Dan pronounces the names correctly, everybody else butchers them.

 

[Linkster]

I listen to Dan and Jamie whenever possible because Dan squeezes stats and data into the broadcast whenever possible. Randy and Drew sometimes get distracted or bored.

Baker does his best at ice level when he can track the action away from the main camera angle. Better than Brodie or Drew there.

I'm pretty sure it was a radio interview between periods with Baker where Dan Boyle admitted he had been playing with a broken foot. Not sure if he would've said it to Drew or Brodie.

 

[teal]

omg they are the best. ALL throughout college when I was working late night on projects (east coast) I would have the radio on right next to me. Perfect thing for when your eyes need to be occupied elsewhere but your ears are still free.

Also, I never understand when people call them homers. They ALWAYS point out/give credit for a good play, no matter which side it's coming from. It's obvious that they root for the Sharks, but durrr that's their job. I listen/watch to a fair amount of other teams and I always have to cringe at how much more biased they all seem to be.