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    The Twins' New Broadcast Tandem Could Be Generational


    Ted Schwerzler

    The Minnesota Twins might not yet have a particular home for fans to find their television broadcasts, but the results could be extraordinary when the season kicks off with a new tandem in the booth.

    Image courtesy of © David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

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    Replacing a mainstay like Dick Bremer is always going to invite a certain level of scrutiny. Even though Bert Blyleven had run his course, a segment of fans still wanted to see him on a nightly basis. Bremer had adapted to the changing game over time, but the Twins saw an opportunity for fresh perspectives to be brought in. Minnesota decided a new wave was coming, and it was time to change.

    While Justin Morneau has been a regular for some time now, the pairing with former radio broadcaster Cory Provus has the opportunity to be something truly new and special. Understandably, Morneau isn’t for everyone, but his style has changed substantially since he joined Bremer in the booth. While he analyzes the game in a much more laid-back manner, it is evident that he has a passion for the role and puts in the necessary preparation to do it well. He supports narratives with well-thought-out research, and beyond personal insight from his playing days, he explains the game on a much more granular level.

    Bremer operated well as the play-by-play man, teeing up his partners for their additions. While Provus can bring that to the table, he acts more like a co-panelist than as a moderator. Provus has a highly distinctive voice and can be heard throughout the offseason when calling collegiate basketball games. Regardless of the sport, his preparedness and professionalism are impressive.

    When Major League Baseball consistently showcases announcers like John Smoltz or other former players who clearly do not like the game's direction, the Twins offering the pairing they will can be noteworthy. Morneau doesn’t fall into an old or new-school category and isn’t just rehashing his own exploits as a former player. Instead, he brings a well-reasoned discussion and an advanced knowledge of the game to someone who should pair perfectly alongside him. Provus has the ability to combine with different types of people, and has shown that over time in his radio work.

    For years, it seemed as though Provus deserved better than what Dan Gladden offered as a radio partner, and now we will see that in action. When Provus paired with Roy Smalley or the now-taking-over Kris Atteberry on the airwaves, the product hit the highest notes. The super team now comes to television, and with both offering relative youth, there is an opportunity for the pairing to become the next household staple.

    In joining the broadcast, Provus also sought to assure that more Twins fans could consume the product. He made it known during his initial public conversations that he expected blackouts would be gone, regardless of how Twins baseball is disseminated, so that many more households would have access to the action. As they grow accustomed to how Provus and Morneau present the action, there is a good chance fans enjoy what is being brought to the booth.

    Eventually, Bremer will find himself in the Twins Hall of Fame, alongside broadcast greats such as John Gordon, Herb Carneal, and Bob Casey. Morneau is already in as a player, but this pairing with Provus may have both being highly regarded in the booth and make them synonymous with a generation of Twins baseball, just as those predecessors were.

    Do you view Provus and Morneau as a long-term solution in the broadcast booth? What do you want most from the Twins' TV production? Discuss it in the comments below.

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    21 hours ago, DJL44 said:

    I like when they rotate the color guy - new stories, new insights. It's hard to come up with new things to say 162 times a summer.

    There is some truth to that but it's only because they haven't come up with a strong number two guy since Bert Blyleven. 

    Provus is very skilled and should do well. I hope people will give him a little time to find his feet with doing baseball on TV and with his broadcast partners, because it will take a little time for them to get in rhythm. I think Morneau does well as the primary partner and I appreciate how much he brings in analysis beyond "when I played". (I think he does a good job of bringing in his experiences as well, it's just not the only tool in his bag, and he's also good about saying that things have changed without being judgmental about it.)

    I do like having a 3rd man in from time to time, and both Plouffe and Perkins have done pretty well there. I would also be interested to see how Hawkins would fit in the 3-man booth from time to time, as i do like it when they have the hitter perspective and the pitcher perspective in place.

    I love it when Perk is really breaking something down, talking stats and why they matter. Same with Hawk when he's really digging in on a pitcher. Both are less successful when they try to make the broadcast into a comedy act. I feel like that's the bad legacy from Bert during the losing years, making them think they need to yuk it up to keep the audience entertained. When Bert was on his game he could predict an entire sequence of pitches to a hitter and then would tell you exactly why it was a good idea or bad one. that's the legacy I want our broadcasters thinking about not rehashing the same jokes and looking for the laugh line.

    I liked Smalley more than I thought I would recently, and he does bring a different perspective than any of the other guys, and there's no question he knows baseball.

    Feels like we have a good team in place that can work together and grow even more over a sustained period of time. That's nice, and it would be good if we can keep the team together for that sustained period. Big shoes to fill from Dick Bremer, who was the consummate professional and kept working and evolving with the game. he had a great voice, did the spade-work, and loved the game and the Twins. he'll be missed, he won't be forgotten, but I also know that he'll be rooting for Provus to be great from Day One.

    3 hours ago, Otaknam said:

    Provus is on the professional upswing as a broadcaster, as is verified by the football and basketball play by play he does for other media outlets. The Twins are lucky to have him, and I think his pairing with Morneau will be very good. However this means the radio broadcast will be downgraded by pairing Atteberry and Gladden. IMO Atteberry chatters too much and tries too hard with factoids to fill in between pitches. And it is really hard to listen to Gladden  as he struggles to describe the action. I’m sure he’s a great guy and would be fun to have a beer with. But he is a below average color guy who should not be doing play by play for three innings, where I usually turn him off. Why they would move on from Bremer but keep Gladden is a real head scratcher. Clearly this shows the team doesn’t understand its audience.

    I listen (on MLB app) to more games than I watch. I switch to the other team's broadcast for innings 4 to 6 when Gladden is doing play by play because I like to know what is actually happening in the game. I cannot understand how the Twins administrators allow this to go on. It is like The Emperor's New Clothes story.

    6 hours ago, saviking said:

    There is some truth to that but it's only because they haven't come up with a strong number two guy since Bert Blyleven. 

    Morneau was a very good player but, to me, not a good color man. Too boring and in a monotone voice. I can’t listen to him. I turn the volume so low so that it’s a mumbling sound. In my circle of baseball friends none like Morneau.  At least Bert had some humor, etc. But if they keep the rotation then it should be ok.

     

     

     

    As many as stated already…… Attebury just needs to be quiet once in a while. It’s as if he feels the need to be talking all the time!

    I only listen to the games through the MLB app, so I am really hopeful that he can learn to tone it down quite a bit!

    Between him and Gladden, and so far an inept offense ….. wooof😟

     

     




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