Rating the MLB TV booths: The NL Central
By Bill Felber
Milwaukee Brewers: Brian Anderson, play-by-play; Bill Schroeder, color
This Brian Anderson, no relation to the Brian Anderson who does color for the Miami Marlins, has handled Brewers TV play-by-play since 2007. His smooth, easy oratory translates well; Anderson is a frequent pick for MLB postseason play-by-play coverage, and he can be heard on NCAA basketball as well.
Like many good play-by-play guys, Anderson performs so smoothly that he easily disappears into the fabric of the telecast. That leaves plenty of space for Schroeder to operate, which is a good thing.
Drollness is one of the peculiar specialties of NL Central color guys, but nobody on TV does droll better than Schroeder. Perhaps he learned that hanging around his journalistic godfather and fellow former catcher, Bob Uecker.
By now Schroeder has little more to learn. He’s been doing color commentary on Brewers telecasts for more than a quarter century. Like Anderson, his style is highly relaxed, a fact demonstrated by his creation and promotion some years ago of the ‘Buckhead Brigade’ in the left field seats.
The fan section, which may not have been named as an illusion to Schroeder’s own physical features, illustrated the enduring relationship between the booth and the fans.
Schroeder may not be the smoothest talker, but his fans don’t hold that against him.
Experience: 4
Likeability: 5
Knowledge: 4
Humor: 5
Rapport: 5
Oratory: 4
Total: 27