| Kentucky Derby Announcer is Too Nervous To Call the Race Posted: 28 Apr 2011 06:32 AM PDT I never appreciated before the pressure that certain sports announcers experience on their jobs until I read a New York Times story today about Tom Durkin, the longtime Kentucky Derby announcer who has developed performance anxiety and has given up the job. Here is an excerpt from the New York Times: Durkin has soldiered through as many as 2,000 races a year for nearly 34 years but has been tormented by the three Triple Crown races that in total span less than seven minutes. "Those three races, though, are like being up to bat with a 3-2 count in Game 7 of the World Series," he said. Larry Collmus, who will replace Durkin on the NBC telecast, understands the rigors of racing and is about to experience the heightened expectations of national television. "We study the colors and silks for the upcoming races and you get anywhere from 6 to 12 names in your head," said Collmus, who is the announcer at Gulfstream Park in Florida and Monmouth Park in New Jersey. "Accuracy is paramount; lots of people are invested in the horse," Collmus said. "You paint a picture until they get to the wire. Then, they are gone out of my head after five seconds, and a new batch goes in."
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for commenting on my blog. I will write back soon!