12:37 today on TBS

[AlanP1964]

Texas to turn to new play-by-play man in 2011

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rangers have signed television analyst Tom Grieve to a three-year contract extension and severed ties with play-by-play announcer Josh Lewin.

Grieve, a former Rangers general manager, has been in the booth since 1995, and will continue his analyst duties on Fox Sports Northwest and TXA21 through the 2013 season.

Lewin had been with the club since 2002.

"After several discussions over the last few months, the Texas Rangers and Josh Lewin have agreed to end their relationship and move ahead in different directions," team president Nolan Ryan said in a team release. "As a result, Josh will not be returning as the Rangers television announcer in 2011. We wish Josh the very best for the future."

The club will immediately begin its search for a play-by-play announcer to work with Grieve.

"I would like to thank the Rangers for nine wonderful years," said Lewin. "I respect the team's leadership and vision and wish them nothing but the best."

Eric Nadel, who has been in the organization for 32 years, is expected to remain on radio.

Maybe part of the new "Team" will be that they no longer bore us to death thanking every Mary Jo Horton from Anywhere USA for sending up the batch of chocolate chip cookies. I like Grieve and all but man, they can sometimes REALLY veer off from the game at hand with all the useless info.

[CHeavin_2006]

I'm gonna miss Josh...

[trickyrix]

I liked the dynamic that Tom & Josh had. Tom struggles a bit when they have someone like Busby subbing in. Frankly, I thought Josh was a great play-by-play guy and I could always appreciate the homespun stories and shout-outs and stuff. They never talked over the action and it made a shitty game tolerable to watch. I can't stand watching baseball on ESPN because the announcers suck so incredibly hard. The TBS guys are a tad better, but I wish we had been given the local option like we get with the first round of the NBA playoffs.

I wonder what led to his departure? One of the rumors was that Nolan wasn't thrilled about Josh's side gig with the San Diego Chargers. I'll be anxious to see who they roll in as a replacement...

[sammm]

I'll bet Josh is going to be a regular on nationally televised games with Fox. I like Tom G, but he's very dry and doesn't really contribute much to the game play. Like Alan said, who the freak cares who they got their last batch of deep fried jalapeno cookies from.

[CHeavin_2006]

mmmm deep fried jalapeno cookies...

[sammm]

Complete game by Cliff Lee...way to go Rangers!

Bring on the Yankees.

[trickyrix]

Wow! Just wow! It's fair to say the Rangers beat the Rays every which way possible!

Claw & Antlers all the way!!!!!

[CHeavin_2006]

+1! Claw and Antlers ALL THE WAY!!!

[CHeavin_2006]

Cliff Lee is Picasso!!! lol
And I was so impressed with the Rangers aggressive baserunning tonight...they beat the Rays at their own game.

[AlanP1964]

The folksy home spun stuff is fine, to a point. I prefer it over the talking head types like TBS has or ESPN. The ones that feel they have to sit there and just yabber on and on because they are paid to talk. Golf announcers are a prime example of not knowing when to shut the hell up and let the action speak for itself. I just felt like Josh kind of went overboard with it at times this year. Perhaps he feels like he has to in order to draw Tom G out more? Tom G definitely seems to be a bit dry at times. I still think the best example of how it should be done was Mark hotlz and Eric Nadel. Maybe I am just being nostalgic. For people who don't know my situation, I am deaf. Lost my hearing about 7 years ago and I know Nadel is still on the radio, but obviously I can no longer hear that.


Watching that game last night, my stomach was in knots from the 7th inning on. When Kinsler hit that home run, you could almost feel the sigh of relief from Rangers fan all over the Metroplex. Cliff Lee is just an amazing pitcher. I hope the Rangers can resign him next season.

[CHeavin_2006]

+1 on the Rangers signing Cliff Lee!
I liked the Grieve-Lewin combo for the most part.
Any word on a replacement?
Maclemore? Busby? Raddigan?
I'd like to see one of the FSRangers broadcast girls get a shot.

[trickyrix]

I'd like to see one of the FSRangers broadcast girls get a shot.

In spite of the fact that that sounds unintentionally dirty, I'll seriously agree. Those ladies do a fine job. In addition to taking a good beer soaking on locker room duty, Emily sits in on the Ticket sometimes. I think she'd get my vote.

[AlanP1964]

Just not that Rick Renner dude, please! :)

Grieve is the technical part of the duo, so I suppose it would need to be someone that can do the color commentary or whatever. That probably leaves McLemore out. Not to fuel rumors or speculation, and I like the guy, but didnt Busby get busted for a DUI a few years ago and that is kind of why he has never really been brought back on full time? I thought Norm Hitzges was pretty good during his stint.

[trickyrix]

Aaaaaah, Norm...

[CHeavin_2006]

I don't think a DUI would factor in to his chances in the booth, although I agree I don't really see Busby getting the full time gig...
The Rangers have a history of giving coke users a second chance so I don't think a little DUI wouldn't bother them much..

Lol and I totally agree on Emily! I think it's be cool to see her broadcasting.

[trickyrix]

Busby and TAG are a little too much alike. I could see one or both of them dropping off for a nap during a blowout...

[cone-cerned]

Hey now, naps are good. Young whipper-snapper.

[sammm]

History's biggest payroll disparity between any two playoff teams becomes official tonight when the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees begin their American League Championship Series.
A total of $151.6 million — eh, give or take a few bucks — separates the $206.7 million that the Yankees players get paid and the relatively paltry sum of $55.1 million that Rangers players take home each year.

To put it in a perspective that's even more unbelievable: Alex Rodriguez(notes) and Derek Jeter(notes) make more together — $55.6 million per year — than the entire Rangers' roster combined.