The 25 Weirdest Voices in Sports

In sports, athletes are looked at as mythical, larger-than-life human beings who do amazing things on the court or the field.

Sometimes, once those athletes step in front of a microphone, that image is shattered once they start to talk. The same goes for broadcasters with voices that don't exactly match the person you see in front of you, or are just plain unique.

With that in mind, here are the Top 25 weirdest voices in all of sports.

No. 25: Bob Uecker

One of the most famous voices in baseball makes this list and while he was a top-notch broadcaster, it was his distinct voice that also made him famous.

He's done commercials, movies and WWE wrestling, which is just a bit outside of what a normal broadcaster should be doing.

No. 24: Carlos Ruiz

Phillies fans love Carlos Ruiz. They lovingly call him Chooch and he's been a stabilizing force for the team and the pitching staff.

He's also called a perfect game and a no-hitter this season. While that's awesome, when you ask him for his thoughts on the situation, it's kind of hard to figure out exactly what he's talking about.

No. 23: David Stern

David Stern may be the best commissioner in all of sports, but his voice sounds like he owns a manor on top of a hill.

Stern actually kind of runs the NBA in that manner, so maybe the voice fits his leadership style of the league's front office.

No. 22: Gary Bettman

Not only is Gary Bettman an inept commissioner, he looks like an elf and talks like one too.

Bettman has totally mismanaged the NHL in recent years, especially after the 2005 lockout that cost the league an entire season. It's hard to see him commanding much respect with that voice.

No. 21: Merrill Reese

While Reese isn't a prominent name in national circles, he does have quite the voice.

The sportscaster of the Eagles Radio Network has a very high-pitched voice. If you think that's something, you should hear him once he gets going during the games. Exuberance would be an understatement.

No. 20: Mike Emrick

Mike Emrick is the most prominent NHL broadcaster and the one thing that stands out is his unique voice.

Emrick brings an energy to the booth and that's evident in the video above. He's so excited that he calls goals that aren't even there.

No. 19: John Madden

John Madden is one of the most famous people and voices in football.

The legendary broadcaster has a voice that is distinct and he's missed on NFL Sundays. When people do impersonations of you, you know you have an interesting way of speaking.

No. 18: Bill Walton

While Bill Walton may have had a massively disappointing NBA career, he does have one of the strangest and most distinct voices I've heard.

Walton used to be a major part of ESPN's broadcasting team, and I miss moments like this.

No. 17: Marv Albert

Marv Albert is probably the most famous NBA broadcaster in the world. Other than his catchphrases, it's his distinct voice that makes him notable.

Where would we be without the yes, pronounced like "yus"?

No. 16: Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe is one of the greatest tight ends of all time, but by no means is he one of the best public speakers.

He is a big part of CBS' NFL studio team and I love when he gets all riled up and words start ending more bluntly than they should. God bless Shannon Sharpe. Always good for a laugh.

No. 15: Tommy Smyth

If you've seen soccer on ESPN, I'm sure you've seen Tommy Smyth.

He is a very lively commentator with an awesomely thick accent that just makes you smile every time you hear it. I wish ESPN did more soccer coverage so we can hear more of his slang words and awesome pronunciations.

No. 14: Randy Moss

You have to love Randy Moss' accent. He almost sounds like he's one of the Muppets.

One of the greatest NFL wideouts of all time sounds like he should be hanging out with Kermit and Ms. Piggy. It's always interesting to hear that voice come from a person of Moss' physical stature.

No. 13: Joe Beninati

If you watch hockey on Versus, I'm sure at some point you've heard the voice of Joe Beninati.

Beninati sounds like he should be doing voiceovers for action movie trailers somewhere. His voice is so forced during the broadcast, it's just annoying to listen to. Then again, the fact that Versus and NBC are the only places to watch national hockey games is annoying enough in itself.

No. 12: Gus Johnson

Oh Gus. I love you, I really do, but sometimes you go a bit crazy.

Johnson has become a household name in the past year from his work with the NFL and NCAA basketball, not to mention his role on Madden 11 this summer. There's plenty of great Gus clips to pick, but here's one of the best.

No. 11: Reggie Miller

Reggie Miller was one of the most cold-blooded NBA three-point shooters of all time and this is the voice he has?

I'm sorry, but for a guy who talked a lot of trash, you'd hope that he would have a more intimidating voice. Miller's also especially grating on your ears when he's working with Marv Albert on TNT.

No. 10: Barry Bonds

When a guy gets as big as Barry Bonds did, you'd think that a man of that size would have a voice to match.

Not Barry though; he has a very light voice that is mostly heard when he's whining or complaining about something, making it especially annoying to hear.

No. 9: Chris Johnson

If you want to understand what NFL running back Chris Johnson is saying, you better pay close attention because he has an odd voice. On top of that, he mumbles a lot.

Chris Johnson does everything fast, including talk.

No. 8: Pedro Martinez

Listening to Pedro Martinez talk is like listening to a cartoon character. A fastball-throwing, lovable cartoon character, but a cartoon character nonetheless.

It also makes his voice even more distinct when he goes on rants about people like Karim Garcia. We miss you Pedro.

No. 7: Cole Hamels

Phillies starting pitcher Hamels is nicknamed "Hollywood" among his teammates and fans and he has a voice to match that moniker.

Hamels is a baseball player but talks like a delicate flower. Nothing sounds tough or intimidating about his voice and doesn't match the stereotypical athlete at all.

No. 6: Jim Mora

You have to love Jim Mora. His rants are stuff of legend and his voice is one of the reasons why. His famous playoffs rant showed it off, but so did this one from his tenure as coach of the New Orleans Saints.

I could listen to that all day, despite Mora's voice.

No. 5: Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz is one of the greatest college football coaches of all time, but to say that he's a great speaker would be an understatement.

Holtz sounds like Sylvester the Cat out there; maybe Dr. Lou should get that checked out.

No. 4: Joe Paterno

Here's another great coach who doesn't exactly have the type of voice that would inspire men to do great things.

Paterno is larger than life in the college football world, but you wouldn't know it from hearing him speak. Past Nittany Lions players have their own JoePa impressions, but it's a voice that is often duplicated but never replicated.

No. 3: Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson is an interesting character to say the least. He's a great basketball mind but has the voice of a teenager.

Johnson's voice is even better when he gets emotional and I can't wait to see him freak out when the Nets win about 20 games next season.

No. 2: Dikembe Mutombo

Mutombo was one of the fiercest shot blockers in NBA history and had a voice to match that. There will never, ever be another voice like Mutombo's.

His voice is unlike anything I've ever heard or ever will again.

No. 1: Mike Tyson

You knew it had to be Iron Mike. It's the most iconic voice of any athlete of all time.

Not only that, but he used his high-pitched voice to deliver some of the most hilarious, insane sound bytes of all time. You have to miss Tyson raising hell in front of a microphone. I know I do.