The Voices of New York Baseball

When baseball season starts, it doesn't matter where you are. Whether you are at work, in your car, at the local dive bar or relaxing at home, once the game is on, millions connect at once by tuning in to listen to their favorite team.

New York is the home to two of the biggest and potentially the best baseball teams in the game, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees.
Like every team, both New York teams have their ownTV and radio commentators for each game.

Some are experts of this amazing sport, while others have been fans since they were brought to their very first game at a very young age, passing on that great tradition between father and son.

Unfortunately there are always going to be those that are better than others. As much as it pains me to say, being a Meta fan, the Yankees will always be the No. 1 team here in New York. However, that doesn't mean the Yankees have the best voice.

"It's outta here!": Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling

The words spoken by Gary Cohen that signify a New York Met home run is always met with cheers, screaming, and a new Met apple popping out from behind the outfield wall.

Gary Cohen (play by play), Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling make up not only New York's best sports team, but the best in all of baseball. I'm sure some would call me crazy and biased, and that's fair, but no one brings the same energy and enjoyment that these three men give as they call a game.

Cohen has been the voice of the Mets since 2003, when legendary voice Bob Murphy retired. The best part of Cohen is that you can tell he's a fan, and is very passionate about the team. When they're up, he's up. When they're down, he's down but never loses his enthusiasm.

Hernandez and Darling are both analysts for SNY and WPIX. Both were former star players for the Mets. Both were a part of that magical championship team in 1986, and now both are two of the most enjoyable personalities on TV.

While Hernandez is the comedian of the three, Darling is the philosopher. Hernandez will make constant jabs at one of his colleagues, some of the players or even, at times, himself. Darling, who would probably make a decent pitching coach if he ever chose to be one, gives great commentary on the pitchers of the game, trying to explain to the fans at home what goes on in a pitcher's mind in tough times.

Overall, this tandem is never boring. Whether the score is 12-2 New York or 7-0 in favor of the opposing team, they keep an enthusiastic atmosphere than doesn't make you want to turn the channel.

Howie Rose: The Mets' Radio Play-by-Play Man

Also the play-by-play man for New York Islanders' hockey, Howie Rose has been calling games for the Mets since 1995. He has done both radio and television, but has for the past few years been the Mets' radio play-by-play announcer.

He may be best known for his famous, "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!" call when the Rangers defeated the Devils in game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup semifinals. Today, his best-known quote is, "Put it in the books!" every time the Mets win a game.

He's well-polished and knows much about the game. He's easy to listen to while driving home from work or going out for the night. I always feel as if I know exactly what is going on in the game.

If I can't watch the game, I'm more than satisfied hearing Howie Rose give me the play-by-play.

Michael Kay: Yankees TV

Michael Kay has been the lead play-by- play announcer for the Yankees on television for the YES network since 2002. Born and raised in the Bronx, he grew up a, you guessed it, Yankee fan.

Kay, also a radio personality on ESPN radio, is best known for his, "See ya!" call every time a home run is hit.

Now, as a Met fan, I will always be a bit partial, but Michael Kay just doesn't do it for me as a TV or Radio personality. He's dry, and his voice is very grainy and rough.

He is probably more or less known for his constant rants that he launches into on the radio and occasionally on TV, and it gets very tiresome. He can be very passionate but other times, he's very dull.

I'm a baseball fan, so regardless of who is playing, I'll watch the game, but listening to Michael Kay has always bored and annoyed me. Even as I drive home from work and he's on ESPN Radio, I tend to turn the station because I get tired of hearing the same thing repeatedly.

But that's just me.

Zzzz...: John Sterling

The worst of the NY baseball announcers has to be John Sterling. Calling Yankee games since 1989, Sterling has a long history with the team.

However, listening to him call games on the radio has nearly led to me crashing my car as I fall asleep.

Since 2005, Sterling has been joined in the radio booth with the second-ever female color commentator, Suzyn Waldman. It's great to see a woman breaking into a man's world, but unfortunately, at least for me, it doesn't work.

There are times while listening to a game where there is a strange silence between the two. Maybe they are both so into the game that they forget they are supposed to let those listening what's going on, or they are in a strong embrace. Maybe they just both put each other to sleep.

Regardless, it's painful to listen. Sterling is monotone, slow and dry. Waldman tries to sound smart, but comes off sounding as if she's trying too hard.

Sterling's most famous quote likely is, "The Yankees win, theeeeeee Yankees win!" In this case, the Yankees lose. Theeeeeee Yankees lose.