Steve Mears will replace Paul Steigerwald

[BHD]

Felt this was thread-worthy since Steigerwald has been considered one of the if not worst play-by-play guys in the league since he took over for Mike Lange.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/steve-mears-joins-root-sports/c-289465720

Click to read more...

 

[Del Preston]

Pens games might actually be watchable now. Too bad Errey is staying.

 

[Fugazy]

Good news for the Penguins. Steigerwald was abysmal.

 

[NJDevils7]

Was reading about he Pen's broadcasters. Why was Mike Lange moved from TV to radio in the first place, especially when everyone seems to like him?

 

[tarheelhockey]

Oh thank god. This is one of those deals where there's no rational explanation for why the guy had his job for as long as he did.

 

[Fugazy]

Was reading about he Pen's broadcasters. Why was Mike Lange moved from TV to radio in the first place, especially when everyone seems to like him?

I was actually wondering the same thing

 

[Wingman77]

He is lucky this was a year or two before social media really morphed into what it is today otherwise there very well may have been outcry's for him to get canned or suspended for his poorly though out remarks here.

 

[JaegerDice]

Felt this was thread-worthy since Steigerwald has been considered one of the if not worst play-by-play guys in the league since he took over for Mike Lange.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/steve-mears-joins-root-sports/c-289465720

I like that they moved Steigerrwald to marketing. Seems an appropriate department for a shameless propagandist.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

Was reading about he Pen's broadcasters. Why was Mike Lange moved from TV to radio in the first place, especially when everyone seems to like him?

I was actually wondering the same thing

The official rationale is as follows - from the Pittsburgh Tribune's article on the move:

"There have been a number of dramatic changes in the game," said Steve Tello, vice president and general manager of FSN Pittsburgh.

"With the new changes with the players on the ice, the management on the ice and possibly even new owners, we thought this was the time to give Paul the opportunity to move to the TV side," Tello said.

"Paul and (color commentator) Bob Errey were a team on the radio and did a terrific job. We feel that Paul is well suited to what we are trying to do with the game," Tello said.

"Mike has done a terrific job over the years, as has Paul. This is more about Paul's hard work and not a comment on Mike Lange. This is not a political decision. This is a television production decision."

Tello said he hopes that Lange "will embrace" the opportunity to return to radio and remain with the team.

"Once FSN informed us of their decision, we told them we'd like to offer Mike the radio job and keep him in the broadcast family," Penguins vice president of communications Tom McMillan said.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Boy, I'd hate to be Steve Tello and have that quote forever associated with my ability to produce a sports broadcast.

 

[Zen Arcade]

Boy, I'd hate to be Steve Tello and have that quote forever associated with my ability to produce a sports broadcast.

He was bombarded with letters and emails immediately, too bad it didn't work.

 

[Remington 700]

Was reading about he Pen's broadcasters. Why was Mike Lange moved from TV to radio in the first place, especially when everyone seems to like him?

This is what people don't remember about Mike Lange. From about 2001-2004 he was a horrible announcer. I understand the on ice product was bad but he seemed to think when the game was on that he could treat his play by play duties as an open mic. The game would be going on and he'd start ranting about subjects that had nothing to do with hockey. I remember him telling a story about an old car of his when a goal was scored and he literally said "there's a goal on the ice" and went back to his ramble.

Him being taken off TV and moved to radio extended his career because I think it knocked him down a peg and forced him to focus on calling the game.

 

[CanuckGame39]

He is lucky this was a year or two before social media really morphed into what it is today otherwise there very well may have been outcry's for him to get canned or suspended for his poorly though out remarks here.

that was amazing.

 

[Roo Mad Bro]

Should have been canned about 10 years ago.

 

[These Are The Days]

Steigerwald is replaced.... AND KUNITZ WAS THERE!!

 

[Stad]

He is lucky this was a year or two before social media really morphed into what it is today otherwise there very well may have been outcry's for him to get canned or suspended for his poorly though out remarks here.

I know it's not something you say on air but i still find this funny to this day, lol.

 

[clefty]

He is lucky this was a year or two before social media really morphed into what it is today otherwise there very well may have been outcry's for him to get canned or suspended for his poorly though out remarks here.

This is still legitimately one of the best jokes I've heard in my life.

 

[hagelin1381]

He is lucky this was a year or two before social media really morphed into what it is today otherwise there very well may have been outcry's for him to get canned or suspended for his poorly though out remarks here.

people actually use social media to joke about this now. that's just how hilariously bad he was

 

[tom_servo]

Pens are on a real streak of making good decisions.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Pens are on a real streak of making good decisions.

Doesn't make up for how bad a decision it was to keep him this long. I don't know if anything can make up for that.

 

[wgknestrick]

Mears was really best case scenario and it's funny how I was just talking to my wife about "The Pens should try to hire Mears back" about 1 month ago. I still think this might also be the phasing out of Errey too in 2-3 years. They will keep him to have some continuity.

We just went from THE worst broadcast crew to one of the best IMO....And Mears is young.

A Mears/Rupp combo would be my dream, but I doubt that would happen. Errey is tolerable as a sidekick, but lets not act like there is no room for improvement there. He's just a little too unpolished at times. Regardless, I'm over the moon with this.

 

[clefty]

I think it needs restating that this isn't a decision the Pittsburgh Penguins made or can make. They don't own ROOT Sports.

 

[SomeDude]

Mears was really best case scenario and it's funny how I was just talking to my wife about "The Pens should try to hire Mears back" about 1 month ago. I still think this might also be the phasing out of Errey too in 2-3 years. They will keep him to have some continuity.

We just went from THE worst broadcast crew to one of the best IMO....And Mears is young.

A Mears/Rupp combo would be my dream, but I doubt that would happen. Errey is tolerable as a sidekick, but lets not act like there is no room for improvement there. He's just a little too unpolished at times. Regardless, I'm over the moon with this.

If you saw Errey when he was doing work for NHL network a few years ago he was really fantastic. I think Steigy brings out the goof in him. I am confident that being paired with Mears is only going to help him.

 

[Not So Mighty]

Not a Pens fan, but I'm a Mears fan so I'm glad to hear this. I used to watch NHL Live with him and EJ Hradek every single day. I love them as a duo. I haven't watched for at least year now so I guess I won't miss him.

 

[IamNotADancer]

This is what people don't remember about Mike Lange. From about 2001-2004 he was a horrible announcer. I understand the on ice product was bad but he seemed to think when the game was on that he could treat his play by play duties as an open mic. The game would be going on and he'd start ranting about subjects that had nothing to do with hockey. I remember him telling a story about an old car of his when a goal was scored and he literally said "there's a goal on the ice" and went back to his ramble.

Him being taken off TV and moved to radio extended his career because I think it knocked him down a peg and forced him to focus on calling the game.

So pretty much Bob Uecker in Major League.

Good news for Penguins fans. Steigerwald is a crime against humanity.