Josh Lewin, former O's play by play announcer

[Ori-Al]

Some of us are old enough to remember when Josh Lewin, the former "Cheers" writer, did play-by-play of Orioles games on WBAL radio. Last night, he was doing play-by-play of the Maryland Terrapins basketball game on the Big Ten network. I know he's been doing other sports in the years since he worked on BAL, but I hadn't heard his voice, so it was interesting to hear him.

[MurphDogg]

Some of us are old enough to remember when Josh Lewin, the former "Cheers" writer, did play-by-play of Orioles games on WBAL radio. Last night, he was doing play-by-play of the Maryland Terrapins basketball game on the Big Ten network. I know he's been doing other sports in the years since he worked on BAL, but I hadn't heard his voice, so it was interesting to hear him.

That's neat, I vaguely remember him working as the fill-in behind Jon Miller, Fred Manfra and Chuck Thompson. I wonder how many games he worked in his two seasons with the Birds ('95-'96). I think you have him confused with someone else in re: Cheers though. Ken Levine, maybe?

[Frobby]

You are confusing two guys. Ken Levine was the former Cheers writer. He was the radio color man in 1991. Lewin came later, in 1995-96.

Levine wrote a book about his experiences: It's Gone!...No, Wait a Minute....

[Ori-Al]

You are confusing two guys. Ken Levine was the former Cheers writer. He was the radio color man in 1991. Lewin came later, in 1995-96.

Levine wrote a book about his experiences: It's Gone!...No, Wait a Minute....

You guys are absolutely correct-I misremembered in my old age. Levine was the writer. My memory was much better Chuck Thompson and Bill O'Donnell were doing the games. I was but a youngster then.

[21xxxv]

Josh is actually very good. He does Charger games in the NFL. He would be a gigantic upgrade from Fred Manfra..

[mdbdotcom]

Josh is actually very good. He does Charger games in the NFL. He would be a gigantic upgrade from Fred Manfra..

Some might see that as a step down from being Howie Rose's radio partner for the Mets.

[Beef Supreme]

By mid-July, Ken Levine whined (I know, I know, he sounded whiney from game one ) about how hard the travel was. I understand that it must be hard, but his frequent complaints did not make for compelling broadcasting.

[Redskins Rick]

Josh is actually very good. He does Charger games in the NFL. He would be a gigantic upgrade from Fred Manfra..[/QUOTE]

Not something that I agree on.

I know, there are lots of Manfra bashers in here, but some of us like and respect the guy.

[incubus]

Josh is actually very good. He does Charger games in the NFL. He would be a gigantic upgrade from Fred Manfra..[/QUOTE]

Not something that I agree on.

I know, there are lots of Manfra bashers in here, but some of us like and respect the guy.

I agree Rick, I like Manfra. Plus he and Joe seem to enjoy working together, which comes out in their broadcasts.

[Redskins Rick]

I agree Rick, I like Manfra. Plus he and Joe seem to enjoy working together, which comes out in their broadcasts.

I am bais too, having met the man at a charity event at the warehouse.

We are spoiled by Miller and Angel, and anything else is a down grade.

But Manfra and Joe is so much better than what the other MLB teams have.

[Beef Supreme]

Manfra can't report action without stuttering and stammering. He's the worst play-by-play announcer I have ever heard. Nice voice, needs to read from a script.

On an interview with ABC prior to a triple crown race, Manfra said he takes a certain drug (don't know the name) prior to calling horseraces to calm his nerves because (paraphrasing), ''horse racing is so exciting.'' He should try it for Orioles' games as well because clearly, when things get exciting, Manfra can't handle it.

[Frobby]

Manfra can't report action without stuttering and stammering. He's the worst play-by-play announcer I have ever heard. Nice voice, needs to read from a script.

On an interview with ABC prior to a triple crown race, Manfra said he takes a certain drug (don't know the name) prior to calling horseraces to calm his nerves because (paraphrasing), ''horse racing is so exciting.'' He should try it for Orioles' games as well because clearly, when things get exciting, Manfra can't handle it.

Agreed, and he's the worst judge of fly balls of any announcer I know. He's fine playing the color man role when Angel is doing the PBP, and he's fine on the pre- and post-game stuff.

Back on the subject of Ken Levine, in his book he told two funny stories about minor league PBP announcers who had signature home run calls:

1. Announcer 1 would say (for example): "Touch 'em all, Mr. Cruz!" But one time he suddenly blanked on the name of the hitter, and said, "touch 'em all, Mr.......Baseball Man!"

2. Announcer 2 would say "Elvis has left the building!" But one time he misjudged a fly ball and said "Elvis has....hit the wall!" Ouch!