Long time Redskins radio announcer Frank Herzog has been ousted from the booth, according to today's Washignton Post. Herzog, who has been broadcasting Skins games on the radio since I was born, will be replaced by 46 year old Larry Michael, who has been doing pre- and post-game shows for the Skins since 1996. Herzog's partner's, former Redskins players Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff, will remain in the booth. Reports are that the move was not initiated by the Skins, and was instead a station decision.With everything that has happened to the Redskins in the past few seasons (i.e. Spurrier, Snyder, Bruce Smith, Deion etc.), this thing has really got me pissed off. Was Herzog too old and ugly for the fucking radio? Were the listners clamoring for a younger, sexier play-by-play man? No. In fact, most fans are understandably outraged by this move, myself included. This was the best local radio booth in the NFL. It's going to be really sad when we're all old men and we don't have any legends left, because they will have all been replaced before they had that chance. Herzog had a chance to be among those in the sports broadcasting pantheon: Harry Carey, Jack Buck, Chick Hearn. Now, he's just another old guy who got bounced from his job because his overwhelming competency just wasn't sexy enough.
I don't think I even need to say this, but: Orndoff Principle, anyone?
Tony
