How Does Ken Rosenthal Have a Broadcasting Job?

And why isn't this question asked more often?

Chris Berman? The guy's been a joke on Deadspin for years and his nicknaming and "back-back-back-back"-ing have been broadly ridiculed for years.

That guy who does the Yankee broadcasts (think it's their radio voice... you know, the guy with the abominable catch phrases a la "it's an A-Bomb! For A-Rod!")? I swear there are several times a season when they'll play his audio during a Mets broadcast and Gary will just laugh.

Joe Morgan? There was an entire website devoted to hating him.

For whatever reason, Ken Rosenthal seems to escape this kind of loathing at a mass audience level. I don't know how this is possible. His sideline commentary is rarely insightful, but worse than that are the pauses that punctuate his reports.

Here's what it's like:

"Guys (pause), I just spoke to Johan Santana (pause). He tells me (pause) that rather than forfeit the game (pause) the Mets have decided (pause) to lose in heartbreaking fashion (pause) once again."

Speech coaches tell you to take a breath rather than say "umm" when you're speaking publicly. Maybe that's the explanation. Either way, anyone who can't string two thoughts together without taking a break in between doesn't deserve to be on the air.

Maybe that's just me. Maybe I'm just spoiled by Gary, Keith, and Ron (and Kevin!). But I don't get how this man still has a job. Anyone with me on this? If not, can someone explain his appeal to me?

* * * * *

... And the Mets just lost on a walk-off home run. That's 12 walk-off losses for those keeping track.

And for those keeping track, we're back to 2 games over .500, 7 games out, with 6 days until the trade deadline.

Please god, don't let Omar do something stupid. Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo were enough.

- A.F.O.M.G.