Lost his Fastball

TGJB · October 04, 2011, 02:50:27 PM

They left out \"Da Hoss Comes Back\"...

big18741 · October 04, 2011, 05:43:10 PM

\"This is the greatest comeback since Lazarus\"

Boscar Obarra · October 04, 2011, 07:31:28 PM

I hear the calls at other tracks and quite seriously, I\'d rather have Durkin 10x worse than he is now then most of them at their best.

sixmoreouts · October 05, 2011, 05:57:42 AM

To me, track announcers are like sports play-by-play announcers or even news anchors. Most are unremarkable and rather interchangeable. A very select few manage to stand out--often adding value to the primary attraction (the game or the newscast). Vin Scully and Walter Cronkite certainly achieved this status in their fields. I think Durkin has too.

It may be that a flubbed call or an occasional voice crack is a little more noticeable or off-putting coming from Durkin than someone else. Same as it is with a home run that is served up by Mariano.

Today, if there were a potentially dramatic race coming up and I had to pick one person to call that race--someone who could deliver a memorable, signature call--it would still be Durkin. And if I needed someone to call an entire meet, I\'d probably want him too. When he is on his game, I don\'t think anyone is better. And, for me, the times that he IS on his game more than make up for the occasional times he may not be. When Durkin eventually retires, his successor is going to find himself in a difficult position.

Rick B. · October 05, 2011, 07:58:20 AM

Thoughts often thought, I suspect, but ne\'er so well expressed.

Excellent post!

Beau · October 05, 2011, 08:05:09 AM

I agree... Well said!

Boscar Obarra · October 06, 2011, 12:01:39 PM

glad Im not the only one who thinks the Durkin bashers are way off base.

NoCarolinaTony · October 07, 2011, 07:54:14 AM

Tom Durkin could possibly get back to being better if he took care of his health more...but then who am I to tell him how to live his life.

He enjoys the wine and Pasta in Tuscany a little bit too much perhaps.....I\'ve stood next to Tom leaving the Spa many a time in recent years and Tom makes me look thin lol ...his girth grows with every passing year.... So with that being said, if he would consider a little bit of training who knows what he has left in the tank....but thats just hoping he hangs around for a few more years. he\'s been the best for years. I too could sense more mistakes from him then in the past....this past Spa meet.

Other than Kulmus and Kurt Becker and on occaision Vic Stauufer, (not a big Denman fan or detractor) or the Guy from Woodbine, there really is not much out their these days. Cant imagine they pay these guys all that much either, so and with waning interest in racing, not sure you will find many new candidates either.