Why the harsh words about Hudler and Physioc?

by Downing Rules on Mar 9, 2007 9:53 AM PST

I read some old threads where even a lot of Angels fans were beating up on Hudler and Physioc as a broadcast team. I happen to enjoy listening to Rex Hudler because he has so much enthusiasm for the game and for the team. Physioc also has his own signature calls and does them quite well at the right time without too much commentary. The two seem to have good chemistry together as it appears they are good friends.

About Rex, is the hate because he is such a "homer" for the Angels that drives people crazy? I am not sure, but all I know is that I do not have to mute the TV when he is on (I recall having to do this for Lakers games back in the 80's when Tommy Heinsohn (pro-Celtics) was always on the TV, while Chick Hearn was on AM 570).

Poll

What Do You Think About the Angels TV Broadcast Team of Hudler and Physioc

They're Great - Don't Change a Thing

43 votes

Can't Stand Hudler

9 votes

Can't Stand Physioc

23 votes

Can't Stand Hudler or Physioc

19 votes

94 votes | Poll has closed

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

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Comments

Dumbed Down

My biggest complaint is that they aim the broadcasts for the intellect of a five year old. And that Physioc talks way too much and is usually discussing games other than the one we are watching.

Rex is much better the past year or two. Phys is just a yapper and likely beyond hope.

by Rev Halofan on Mar 9, 2007 9:49 AM PST reply actions

I like Rex.

I don't hava a problem with Hudler at all. As a matter of fact, I enjoy his perspective and enthusiasm. Watching him, it's obvious that he's self conscious about how he looks or sounds. But when he cannot contain himself, that's when he's at his best. Hud's job is that of color commentator............and that's what I think he does....well!

I dislike having to say anything negative about Physioc. However, many times he gets on my nerves. Too many times he's just not in sync with the game, giving me commentary that I don't want to hear.......and at the wrong time. I've come across him on some Pac-10 football games. I get much the same feel: Much too scripted.......More concerned with how he sounds than calling play by play. Having said that, when the Angels baseball game comes on TV, I'm as happy as a pig in........mud.

by wumbug on Mar 9, 2007 1:09 PM PST up reply actions

Hud has the impartiality of King Solomon

compared to those homers in Beantown and New Yawk

by PieceOfAase on Mar 9, 2007 10:09 AM PST reply actions

it's like listening to...

Ward Cleaver and a stoned T-Ball Coach.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on Mar 9, 2007 10:26 AM PST reply actions

ok..

Hud and Phys are ok. I do like Hud's enthusiasm. Phys does kinda bug at times.

I agree with the Rev, they do dumb things down.

At least they aren't boring, like the guys that do (or used to do) the Atlanta Braves on TBS. Jesus, those guys could put an insomniac to sleep!

jeff

Help me out, and help raise money for the MS Society of OC http://www.ms150baytobay.com/sipperphoto

by sipperphoto on Mar 9, 2007 10:40 AM PST reply actions

Also better than the Tribe announcers

Those guys talk about everything BUT the current game. I swear the simply enjoy hearing themselves not talk, but drone on and on

and on

and on.

Damn.

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Mar 9, 2007 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

I actually like them

Phys is harmless and he paints an adequate picture. Hud used to drive me to distraction, and I know he's a goof, but he's a likeable goof and compared with the yankee announceers, they are very impartial.

Feels like the 1970's all over again. <sigh>

by Moondoggy on Mar 9, 2007 11:26 AM PST reply actions

you will notice

Hud and Phys are a hot button issue here, as far as non-player issues go. I remember a little less than a year ago I briefly bad mouthed Vin Scully during a game thread and it inspired the Rev to use an entire off-game day dedicated to the contempt for Steve Physioc the following morning (complete with pictures). The thread ended up with like over 200 comments on how Phys and Hudd lick balls.
For the record, I'm one of the few who prefures them over almost any other current baseball announcers.

by Hutch (someone took my name) on Mar 9, 2007 12:17 PM PST reply actions

Hud's Cool

Yeah, he's a homer, and some of his Hud-isms get annoying after a while. But I do like his enthusiasm, and every once in a while he comes up with a really astute comment or observation.

My real problem is with Phys. He dumbs everything down, as others have noted. His golly-gee-willickers shtick is just so...minor league. He has no sense of the moment. He feels compelled to run his mouth throughout the telecast, never giving us the opportunity to appreciate the sounds of the game.

He fails to understand that it's OK, during a TV broadcast, to shut up for a few seconds.

Compare him to Vin Scully. Vin knows when to not say anything. He knows when to let the drama of the game provide its own commentary.

Half the time, Phys gets himself all worked up over routine plays.

Also, it takes Phys about 20 words what could easily be said in five.

He's just...not very good.

I would love to see Hud paired with a professional, no-nonsense kind of guy. Ross Porter, for example.

by jjackflash on Mar 9, 2007 12:23 PM PST reply actions

watch out for the flying pigs

I agree with you

Come on already.....PLAY BALL!!!

by ladybug on Mar 9, 2007 7:22 PM PST up reply actions

and besides

Hud makes a great drinking game. Everytime he says wheelhouse or big daddy Vladi etc etc....that way you are tanked by the 2nd out of the first inning!

Come on already.....PLAY BALL!!!

by ladybug on Mar 9, 2007 7:24 PM PST up reply actions

not the first time

we've had the same thought....

I want a dolphin to be my pet.

by rjcicc on Mar 10, 2007 1:28 AM PST up reply actions

She's not kidding either...

I've seen her in action and it is a glorious thing to behold.

by HeyLegacy on Mar 10, 2007 1:21 PM PST up reply actions

To me its not phys and hud

But rather than the really terrible camera/editing/scorekeeping work done last year. I felt like at LEAST once a game there was a major screwup in this regard. Not just for angels baseball, either, but simply sports in general.

by 101halo on Mar 9, 2007 1:10 PM PST reply actions

You have three choices...

Deal with it.
Stop watching sports on TV.
Invent a system that creates flawless television broadcasts and make millions.

I would encourage choice #3.

by Dogman on Mar 9, 2007 1:18 PM PST up reply actions

you forgot one...

4) MUTE button, and listen to rory markas.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on Mar 9, 2007 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

Well

It seems to me that it was worse last year than previous years. Considering technology tends to improve, this seems counterintuitive. I'm not asking for perfection here, just that telecasts don't get worse, that's all.

And yes, there is no substitution for actually being there.

by 101halo on Mar 9, 2007 2:27 PM PST up reply actions

Physioc isn't great...

...but he doesn't bug me. He's just there.

Hud is fun to listen to. I don't mind so much if the color commentator is a homer. He may not be a genius, but he's harmless and, overall, pretty likeable.

As far as these two guys dumbing things down, I agree. But, remember, the telecast is supposed to be for everyone - five-year olds, casual fans, old ladies...everyone. If we all think we're too smart for that kind of talk, just mute it and add your own intelligent commentary.

by Dogman on Mar 9, 2007 1:13 PM PST reply actions

I like 'em

I've got to say I like Rex and Physioc. I'll admit I like Rex a little bit more (his unbridled passion for the game of baseball and the Angels is contagious) but I like Steve too. I get a slightly different perspective than many of you in that I am limited to my MLB.TV subscription so I often have no choice but to watch the broadcast of one of the Angels opponents (last year the theme was usually that precedence was given to the home team). I think everybody would appreciate Rex and Phys a lot more if they were subjected to some of the trash on other teams broadcasts.

by canadianangelsfan on Mar 9, 2007 1:22 PM PST reply actions

well

i didnt really get annoyed by physioc until some people here pointed out a lot of his annoying habits, so i guess i cant stand physioc but i like hudlers enthusiasm and they seem like a good pair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlTvSUCCqPo

by ANewFoundThrice on Mar 9, 2007 1:52 PM PST reply actions

How I see it

I like Hud and I don't mind Phys so much for a game or two. But if you watch as many games on tv as I do, after a while, they start to wear on you. It just seems like every game they say the same exact things, like 'put a nice little swing on the ball' and after a while you just get sick of the same old crap over and over and over again. I definitely admire Hud's enthusiasm and his love for the Angels, so no compliants there, I just wish they would try to re-invent themselves, tweak something, mix it up, or just do something different.
I am definitely looking forward to the new announcing team to get a little different perspective every now and then.
I totally agree that Rex and Hud have a 5th grade level telecast. A few more stats or more insight into the game wouldn't hurt.

by LosAngel on Mar 9, 2007 3:43 PM PST reply actions

Phys

You want a play by play guy to be knowledgeble, to be aware of player trends, know names, histories, and back-stories. And generally speaking, I think Phys does those things. What he lacks is the natural ability to convey these thoughts to the listener in good English with decent grammar and sentence structure. You can picture Vin Scully or John Miller preparing for a game. They'll say, I need to mention this. I'll need to mention that. But they don't reherse the exact words they're going to say. With Phys, it's as if he mentally prepares a script. And that would be fine if he could remember his lines, but he can't. He's not that good of an actor.

I'll try to write some stuff down during the first game. It kind of sucks to bag on a guy armed only with generalities.

by Hap on Mar 9, 2007 4:02 PM PST reply actions

Out of sight, out of mind

Jeez, you don't watch a game on teevee for a few months, and suddenly everybody goes soft!

Phys is Rex's biggest fanboy, which is embarrassing for all involved. "You really loved the game, didn't you, Hud?" etc. Always talking about how he hustled on every play, was just glad to be there, etc. (Someone with a Lexis account should go have fun w/ Hud's clubhouse quotes when he actually did play ... he wasn't always Mr. rah-rah, especially about the direction of the Angels.) I'm sure Rex on his own wouldn't volunteer one-fifth of the aggrandizing anecdotes phan-boy Phys forces him to regurgitate.

Also: "Big John Lackey."

Also: "It's the little things."

Also: "Lackey has been so much better lately about learning to control his emotions."

Also: "He's got to go!"

Also: "Two strikes? You gotta be hacking. Too close to take."

Also: "Napoli's gotta be more aggressive up there."

It'll all come back to you soon enough, trust me.

by mattwelch on Mar 9, 2007 6:09 PM PST reply actions

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

it is all coming back now ! ! ! ! ! !

by Rev Halofan on Mar 9, 2007 6:23 PM PST up reply actions

i can't stand this script...

say figgy bloops a ball into short right, the right fielder charges, and botches the shoestring catch. figgy ends up on second with a double.

PHYS: (unnecessary screaming) FIGGY DIIIIVES INTO SECOND FOR A DOUBLE!!!

HUD: For all you youngsters out there, that's why you've gotta hustle outta the box every time you put a ball in play. See, Figgy, he...uh...right there, he hits a little texas leaguer there, and from the get go he's bustin' his tail outta the box. Thinkin double aaaaaaall the way!

PHYS: (forced chuckle) Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk. That's right Hud, and that's why Angels manager Mike Scioscia thinks Chone Figgins is a catalyst. Thaaaat baserunning ability, and how he's got a knack for putting pressure on opposing defenses with that blaaaazing speed.

Hudisms followed by the forced chuckle and Halo nut swinging = MUTE button.

I've heard far worse, but luckily that's only when i'm on the road, which is not all that often anymore. Watching 150 games with Hud and Phys has got me nit-picking a little.

SPORTS UNFILTERED

by pedro guerrero on Mar 9, 2007 6:48 PM PST up reply actions

And you forgot to continue

Phys: And Rex don't you remember that game between the Bruins and Lakers a waaayy baaack. This and that blah, blah, yada, yada, and three batters and two runs later he gets back to the game at hand.

That happens on a daily basis.

I can handel Hud, but can't stand Phyz.

Buck fudgin hates Rex. That was a funny ass game, " Shut up Rex!!!!!"

by eyespy on Mar 9, 2007 10:26 PM PST up reply actions

Call me crazy

I like Big John Lackey

No offense? Howie, Kotch and Napoli will change your mind.

by hauldog on Mar 9, 2007 7:12 PM PST up reply actions

Gettin' Figgy with it!

Big Daddy Vladdy!

He's a ve-trun! (Used to explain virtually anything.)

by mattwelch on Mar 9, 2007 6:43 PM PST reply actions

He f-ing ruins

Vlad's nickname and the wird of OC is terrible and Getting Figgy with it is terrible.

No offense? Howie, Kotch and Napoli will change your mind.

by hauldog on Mar 9, 2007 7:13 PM PST up reply actions

They're Embarassing and They Fail to Inform

It'd be nice to have an announcing team we could be proud of. Unfortunately, Physioc and Hudler invite ridicule from other teams' fans, which I've experienced. And their "dumbing down" of games wouldn't be so bad if they explained cutting edge concepts like the advantage of ERA and WHIP over Wins/Losses, and OBP and OPS over batting average when evaluating player performance. But they don't, and it's probably because they don't even understand these concepts and think Ws and average are the beat-all, end-all of stats. There's a reason baseballprospectus.com is given space in Sports Illustrated each week: These "weird" stats/ideas are the future of baseball analysis and add to the fans' enjoyment of the game. But that's something we don't get from our uninformed homers.

by angelfan30 on Mar 10, 2007 5:39 PM PST reply actions