Arizona Diamondbacks: Steve Berthiaume, play-by-play; Bob Brenly, color.
From their founding, the Diamondbacks have latched on to comfortable, familiar faces and voices to drive their telecast motif. That trend began with Joe Garagiola, who delivered color commentary in the team’s early years, and continued with Mark Grace. Brenly, manager of the 2001 World Series winning team that included Grace, took over in 2014 when management dumped both Grace and play-by-play guy Daron Sutton.
Brenly’s actually in his second stint in the booth, having worked there from the team’s founding until being drafted to put on a uniform in 2001. Following his departure in 2004, he worked several years as a color analyst for the Cubs until returning to the NL West and the D-Backs in 2013.
His work tone is sharp and no-nonsense, precisely what one might expect of a former manager.
Berthiaume is a long-time ESPN guy who came to the D-Backs in 2014 after Sutton ran afoul of upper management. Technically, there is nothing to criticize in his work. What he and Brenly lack – Berthiaume in particular – is the magnetic personality that makes fans want to tune in to listen to him.
If going about one’s business can be said to be a criticism, then that is where the D-Backs crew would benefit from work.
Experience: 4
Likeability: 5
Knowledge: 5
Humor: 4
Rapport: 4
Oratory: 4
Total: 26