re: Jim Hawthorne's calling of LSU Basketball games

Who's the chubby guy that does High School play by play? Is it Charles Hanagriff? I get him confused with the other guy he had worked with.

Regardless, he does a good job call HS football

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Was just a part of LSU sports. I haven't had to listen to him in a good while, plus it's not as easy anymore living in Florida.

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I live near Melbourne, Florida, and can pick up WWL (in spite of a little interference from Hispanic and other stations). Whether or not JH is positive or not, just getting a recognizable voice here is great! Yes, it seems like a lot of the other complaints have credence, but Jim's voice here is like finding a needle in a haystack--when you find it or it's there, you feel like you have found it. Now if WWL could only boost its power so it drowns out the interference...

I always thought basketball was Hawthorne's best sport to call. Baseball is by far his worst.

I like how in football he starts bitching/raving about a play without first bothering to tell the listener what in the flying frick happened on the play. I swear he thinks everybody listening is also watching on TV.

And if you tune in after the game has started you would think LSU is losing by 3 TDs based on his tone, then you find out LSU is up by 10.

sometimes it takes a few seconds to realize that a team scores a bucket. He is very delayed in his calls many times.

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And by listening have picked up on some broadcasting negativity by Hawthorne

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You assessment is correct. This has frequently been pointed out by many on this board. You'll have to contend with Jim's acolytes who will respond with - "you can always turn the radio off", or "as if you can do better" and similar retorts.

Jim is like Rush or Fox News for liberals or MSNBC for conservatives. You may be hard pressed to find solace in his calls when the team is not doing well. Jim's call feeds the negativity of the fan base. His incessant gripes are responsible for loud criticism that has permeated forums such as these. You may argue that "responsible" may be too harsh an assessment. As the voice of the tigers, Jim's commentary holds sway. Especially when you are a fan of the team and are captive audience for 2-3 hours.

For a play-by-play radio person, Jim has some phrases that are infuriating. 'He threw it away' - could have been a more descriptive "He passed it to low post and Mickey could not make the cut". Jim's exasperated short, often negative, phrases litter his commentary. These words are the mother's milk of the nega-tiger fan. A validation to one's negative feeling from 'the voice of the tigers'.

When coaches are fired, not many think of the effect of the play-by-play guy. Jim's incessant negativity lays the foundation for a quick hook. We talk about fans in some stadiums that stay with the team and help with a comeback. Fans are likely to bail on the team when you hear Jim drone about another opportunity. Next time you miss the stirring comeback, assess why you left. Jim would be one of the reasons.

Yes, you need a sunshine pumper. Jim needs to feed the possibility of a win. Fans should stay with the game/call to hear or say - TIGERS WIN! Hope Jim can use 'Holy Cow' to describe an incredible play and not use it to replace 'Oh bleep!'.

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I actually like him for basketball

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"Takes it to the sack, lays it up, crashes off the back iron, no good, rebound put back, no good, tip no good...back the other way...my oh my...the Tigers just can't make a basket....and there's another silly reach in foul...good gracious!"

I love the Hawthorne threads! Here is my favorite from 5 years ago:
https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/p/13359856/jim-hawthorne-story-in-the-advocate/

My personal all time favorite:

"Did you see that!!!!!!"

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sicboy

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Epic call.