Suzyn Waldman Cries on the Air for Joe Torre

That's Yankees announcer Suzyn Waldman following the Yankees' loss on Monday. I'm torn: is this funny or sad? On the one hand, Joe Torre is getting a raw deal, but wow, talk about not even pretending to be objective. This is hardly the first time we saw Waldman wear her heart on her sleeve (her on-air freak out upon seeing "Roger Clemens standing right in George Steinbrenner's box!" is a highlight of the entire MLB season, no?), but is she overstepping her bounds by displaying such emotion? Awful Announcing thinks yes; I'm not so sure.

Why? I guess because it's genuine. Look, showering Torre with sentimental affection can't possibly be the company line right about now. If anything, the Yankees' brass should be trying to take sentiment out of the equation so they're not vilified when Torre is shoved out the door. So while crying on the air may not be the most professional response, it's proof that Waldman is a fan of the game and not just a Yankees mouthpiece. I don't turn on the radio for serious journalism, so I can appreciate that.

Follow-up: Suzyn Waldman Not Sorry She Cried

Also on FanHouse:
Joe Torre Has Options
Kenny Lofton: LeBron's Hat 'Like a Stab in the Back'
Yankees Looking at Tony La Russa
The Dugout: Odyssey of a Yankees Fan
Sorry, No Photos

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)

10-09-2007 @ 4:22PM

Jordi said...

I don't get it. Why do people expect local announcers to be impartial? They watch the team all the time. Their view of the game is colored by the perceptions of what they see daily. Announcers are going to be homers, especially on stations owned by the team. I don't want to see my national announcers being partial, and personnally, I don't think team announcers should be able to announce their teams games on national networks, but there is nothing wrong with a local announcer enjoying the team they spend so much time with, in my opinion. That's part of the charm. And if you don't like it, find your team's broadcast.

10-09-2007 @ 4:24PM

tacobellmanager said...

Objectivity isn't the point. Waldman's behavior, far from breaking with one dogma (the front office position on Torre) in fact enforces another (Torre deserves sainthood.) I don't expect Waldman to dispassionately report both sides of an issue that could 180 several times before its conclusion. But I do expect her to not actively promote extreme opinions that not every one of her listeners share. And those who do appreciate Torre might turn of their radio in embarrassment at this overwrought sentimentality. Turning off the radio, for whatever reason, is bad in Waldman's line of business.

10-09-2007 @ 4:34PM

Mike Rath said...

When "Georgie Girl" reported Clemens coming back, she sounded as though she was having an organism (I'm being polite). Even a reasonable amount of objectivity would be appreciated.. GG needs to take a dirt nap.....

10-09-2007 @ 5:13PM

Bruce Ciskie said...

As a broadcaster myself, I'm okay with emotion and with "homer" announcers (the ones who follow a single team around all season) caring about the teams they cover. It's human nature, and there are certain things you shouldn't have to shut off.

But this is embarrassing.

10-10-2007 @ 1:43AM

ball fan said...

I am a big time sport fan. That is my passion. I am a Met baseball fan. I have a job. I know how to seperate my real life from my fantasy life. Sue, deal or get a new job. My teams always find a way to rip my heart out, but when I see people invloved in the sports world cry it turns my stomach. Try working , really working for a living. Punch a clock, ride the train on a daily basis, commute.
When it's all said and done, sports are not real life.
p.s. Did I mention that a 3rd string player on almost any sports team proably makes more in 3 years then most middle/lower income families will make in their lifetime?

10-09-2007 @ 5:51PM

nyranger26 said...

She's an idiot...like Torre

10-09-2007 @ 6:39PM

Bobby said...

Suzyn who????? Oh you mean that annoying New Englander with the phony Brooklyn accent????

10-09-2007 @ 7:32PM

wally b said...

Yankees were lucky to make the playoffs...there is no crying in baseball....GO TRIBE!!!

10-09-2007 @ 7:29PM

S321 said...

local announcers are expected to be homers. Thats why they are local announcers. I'd much rather listen to local announcers who I KNOW are homers than supposed "nuetral" national ones..same applies to college football..especially college football.

10-09-2007 @ 7:50PM

Don said...

Matt--Regardless of opinion, mine or anyone else's, that's a nice piece of writing.

10-09-2007 @ 8:05PM

thomasecw said...

Will she still be crying when she hears Tony LaRussa will be named the new Yankee coach?

10-09-2007 @ 8:08PM

R Seiple said...

GET A LIFE WALDMAN WHAT DID HE EXPECT TO BE HIRED AS MANAGER FOR LIFE

10-09-2007 @ 8:34PM

EDDIE CORTES said...

Isn't this the same Suzyn Waldman who told Yankee fans not to feel sorry for Gerardi when he decided to go to the Cubs because it was a great move for him so that he can be closer to his family? Now, she is shedding tears for Joe Torre because the manager may be ousted!!

Like Gerardi, Torre had wonderful years with the Yankees so perhaps it is time for Joe to say good bye! Torre can spend more time with his family or go to another club and helped another team win.

You said that Gerardi had great years with the Yankees and should not be pitied. Why not say the same for Joe Torre?

10-09-2007 @ 8:50PM

tom said...

joe torre should have held news conference monday night to tell george and the world that he wa retiring before george embarasses him by firing him. send a rod off along with posida, rivera, mussina, clemeons, and any free agent and go get andruw jones and win it all in 2008

10-09-2007 @ 8:54PM

John Duffy said...

Susan Waldman is absolutely, positively the worst announcer in professional sports. Does her father own the station? Is she Georgrge Steinbrenner's daughter? She must be.That is the only way she was ever hired and has kept the job. Pathetic!!!!

10-09-2007 @ 9:00PM

Bobby G said...

Suzyynne Waldman #1 RedSox fan is a terrible announcer and unabashed life-long RedSox fan. She is a scout for the RedSox organization. A spy like all her Patriots buddies. Hearing her Boston accent on the radio is a disgrace. She like Joe Torre has been handed the world on a silver platter. In Joe's case he is a lifetime under 500 manager who was handed the HOF and WS by George Steinbrenner. You would think that if he is such a class act he would at least admit it. There is no Paul O'Neill therefore there is no firebrand on that team to will the team to victory while Joe sits, and sips and waits for something to happen. He is a terrible baseball manager who is going to the HOF thanks to George and he doesn't have the brains or guts to admit it. He is clueless to the end and beloved by all including the RedSox biggest fan, Suzyne Waldman.

10-09-2007 @ 11:27PM

Susan Waldman is absolutely and positively the worst announcer in all of professional sports. Her father must mown the station or she is a daughter of Steinbrenner. That is the only possible explanation for her employment. Uggg!!!!