Bob Lobel: Why Can’t We Get Announcers Like Carl Beane?

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Bob Lobel, GoLocalWorcester Sports Contributor

Bob Lobel, Sports Legend

The problem with writing something to inform is that it usually just informs the reader how stupid the writer is.

I must plead guilty on this count, as I tried to shed light on how badly outclassed the Celtics were going to be against the Miami Heat. Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, I thought this series would be done in four games, so I hereby declare that anything is possible.

What insight!

The lesson may be to leave the prognostication to those that know what they are talking about. I declared game seven against Philadelphia to be the Swan Song for Boston's "Big Three," but they have certainly pushed past that benchmark.

So that leads me to my next question: Did I badly underestimate the Celtics, or did I just think that the Heat were something special that they aren't?

Either way, the rest of my week will be great because I am going on an excellent adventure that has certainly been on my "Bucket List." I am scheduled to handle public address duties for the Red Sox tonight when they play the Orioles at Fenway.

Former Red Sox public address announcer Carl Beane

I am nervous and excited for it at the same time. It also comes with other mixed feelings, for sure. Carl Beane was a friend of mine, and if anyone could make me laugh, it was Carl. He had a comedic talent that few ever knew about, unless he let you see it. He let me see it, and I am grateful.

I do know that the unfortunate circumstance of his tragic death is leading to me handling these duties. This was his job, and I know how much he loved it, and everyone knows he was the best at it. If there was some way to dedicate reading a batting order, I would do it in a heart-beat.

Instead, I am just asking for the strength to do the best job possible, that's what he would have done. I can't tell you how it goes yet, but I am just hoping for the best tonight. Or hey, maybe a rain out alters our universe. Who knows?

Now that the Red Sox are front and center, can we agree that Bobby Valentine is working his way back into the good graces of Red Sox Nation? That's what winning, and a solid bullpen, will do for a fan base. He has gone from getting booed off the field to plenty of good karma. It could be a long and fun season yet!

Can Dice K be far away? Wouldn't that be something if I got to introduce him tonight. But the good news is the Red Sox actually have some young talent, and they seem committed to getting younger and more athletic.

They are a tic away from trading Youk, and Bard seems to need counseling about his "should I start or should I finish" indecision. Ellsbury and Crawford are lying in wait, if they can ever stay healthy, so maybe the state of the Red Sox is not as dire as people are making it out to be.