The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported today that current Washington Nationals broadcaster Don Sutton may leave the ball club and return to Atlanta to preform the Braves radio broadcast.
Don Sutton is still currently under contract with the Nationals but the Braves are trying to arrange a deal to get him to leave the Nations capital. Sutton would join Jim Powell in the radio booth in an attempt to replace broadcasting legends Pete Van Wieren and Skip Caray.
Sutton, a Hall-of-fame pitcher and 300 game winner, spent 17 years in the broadcast booth for Atlanta before joining the Nationals broadcast team.
While it is surprising that Sutton would leave midway through a contract, it's not surprising that he would want to get out of Washington. The Nationals television audience was shockingly bad last season, so bad that team officials and Major League Baseball questioned if they were even accurate. While its a blow to the confidence of fans (does ANYONE want to be in Washington?) it may be a good thing for the future of the team.
Ever since the team came to Washington we've been trying to forge an identity. It's understandable, so much about appreciating baseball is built into it's tradition. But everyone should know by now if we want a genuine Washington Nationals culture we cant barrow bits and pieces from others. We can't take legendary broadcasters from other teams, or expect people to go to an incredibly expensive flawless stadium. We as fans want to feel like we are PART of the team, PART of it's history, and PART of its tradition.
Perhaps if we get some fresh young talent in the booth we will be able to associate the growth of our team with the growth of their careers. We will be able to come to appreciate them more and more as we come to appreciate our own ball club.
What would watching Wizards games be without Steve Buckhantz after all?
1 comment:
I have never been a big Don Sutton fan, and have especially hated Bob Carpenter. I would not be upset if both were gone.
However, it's really sad that our radio ratings are as low as they are. Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler call one of the best games I've listened to on air. It's be great if we could get them in the booth for MASN.
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