(Photo links to Denny Matthews' and Matt Fulks' latest book.)
04-30-2010 HALL: MAYBE TIME FOR DENNY MATTHEWS TO RETIRE Greg Hall has made a local reputation by commenting on what sports journalists write/say about a variety of topics. He generally does a fine job of critiquing them. We profiled Hall in July of last year (LINK). A full-time software developer, Hall writes a column for the Platte County Landmark newspaper and also writes for a blog site about advertisers compiled by former Kansas City Star gossip columnist Hearne Christopher. In his most recent blogging effort Hall is now saying that it might be time for Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame broadcaster Denny Matthews to step down after more than four decades on the air. Why? Because Mathews had the audacity to criticize the Royals' mascot Sluggerrr for pounding on a drum under the press box during a recent game. "If he’s not complaining about the length of the game or Sluggerrr’s drum, it’s the team’s travel schedule that doesn’t fit his needs," wrote Hall. "If calling a baseball game on the radio has become that much of a chore for Matthews – and all indications from his on-air attitude are that he hates his job – he needs to retire today. "Having to root for bad baseball is one thing. But there is no reason we have to suffer through bad play-by-play work as well." Matthews has been the Royals' radio voice since the team was formed in 1969. He was named the 2007 winner of the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting excellence and was honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In fact, he has received just about every award for broadcasting ever invented. Maybe it is getting tougher for the 67-year-old Matthews to follow the worst team in baseball around the country. And, as the team blows one game after another again this season, it likely can get irritating listening to a mascot pound a drum incessantly. Matthews is a legend in Kansas City. He deserves more respect. We asked Matt Fulks, noted author and broadcaster and friend of Matthews, for his views on whether Matthews should retire. He responded below...
Matt Fulks, author, editor, broadcaster (Photo links to his site).
BOTTOM LINE (05-01-2010): Matt Fulks, co-author of a recent book with Denny Matthews, was asked his thoughts on suggestions that it might be time for Denny Matthews to retire. He graciously responded.
FULKS RESPONDS TO CALL FOR MATTHEWS' RETIREMENT
John, thanks for bringing Greg Hall’s column to my attention. Before I type anything else, though, people need to understand two things: One, I did not hear Denny’s "rant" about Sluggerr’s drum, so I'm not commenting on that specifically; and two, considering I’ve written a few books with Denny and I host a hockey show with him on SportsRadioKC.com, I’m biased. That said, I respectfully disagree with most of what Greg Hall wrote, especially that Denny should retire now. Does Denny come off at times as the grumpy old man sitting on a park bench, feeding squirrels out of his hand while yelling at kids for riding their bikes 50 yards away? Sure, at times, but I think he’s conveying the feelings for many lifelong Royals’ fans. For those of us who have lived and died with this club since its early existence, it’s heartbreaking to watch them lose year after year — and to do so oftentimes in ways that we couldn’t have imagined previously. So, I don’t want a rah-rah announcer trying to paint a rosy picture when “my” team is down by six runs in the eighth inning and gets a two-out base hit. From the times I have listened to him this season, I think Denny remains one of baseball’s best announcers by painting the picture of what’s happening on the field and giving us good insight as to why a play happened and what might come next. It’s the same Denny we’ve had in Kansas City since 1969. Curt Smith, who’s based in New York and is known as the authoritative critic of baseball broadcasters, told me around the time when Denny was receiving the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame: “Denny Matthews is one of the great broadcasters in America and an underrated broadcaster … I think he’s taken for granted too often by fans and critics who should know better.” I think Denny will know when he’s lost his passion for the Royals and this business, and he’ll walk away then. No sooner, no later. That’s the way he is. Until that time, I think we — as Royals fans — need to appreciate what we have.
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