Cleveland Indians: Matt Underwood, play-by-play; Rick Manning, color
The Indians’ team of Matt Underwood and Rick Manning is solid, professional, and experienced. Its shortcoming is the absence of an easy sense of excitement that would give casual viewers as well as hardcore fans a reason to tune in and stay tuned in.
They are a veteran and seamless pair, having worked together since 2008. Both of course go back farther than that. Underwood has worked in various capacities with the Indians for more than two decades, and Manning is in his 31st season in the color chair following 13 seasons as an MLB outfielder, most of those in Cleveland.
The Indians duo is the epitome of professionalism, sometimes almost to a fault. Their mutual tenure underscores the rapport they have built with one another and also with their viewing audience.
What is missing is any sense of awareness that they are concurrently providing both a report and entertainment. They would rank higher if they more frequently conveyed the sense that they were having a hell of a good time.
Listening to Manning, one gets the feeling that he has that quality in him, and one wishes it would show through more steadily.
Experience: 5
Likeability: 4
Knowledge: 4
Humor: 4
Rapport: 5
Oratory: 4
Total: 25