Bill Raftery’s top 10 Catchphrases (SI article)
This is a thoroughly enjoyable article highlighting a national treasure in college basketball announcing. Raft is a living legend. I enjoy every game he announces more because of his unique combination of flair, energy, humor, and insight. Within the article, there is a link under #4 “send it in Jerome” - I highly suggest that you click on it and enjoy this gem from 1988. Also, there is an informative tidbit that explains onions under #3.
I hope that you enjoy this article as much as I did...
https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2019/04/06/bill-raftery-catchphrases-onions
Sorry, basketball season is done. This post will have to wait until fall.
SEND IT IN, JEROME!
This was one of the greatest calls I’ve ever heard. I remember watching this game live, and the board breaking followed by a few seconds of “oooooh! Oooooh! Ooooh!” Then a slight silence...then, “send it in Jerome!” I was 14 or 15 at the time but remember it like it was yesterday.
Fun fact... Arizona slime ball, sweat box, Sean Miller, fed Lane on the break.
Raftery is a treasure of the college game. One of the few commentators, in my opinion, that has the gift of adding to the experience rather than just narrating it. He doesn't force it like so many aspiring announcers do. One of the best, hands down.
In retrospect, why the heck did CBS have the insufferable Billy Packer calling the Final Four for nearly 30 years?!?!?!?!?
And even THEN - Raftery didn't get the promotion to the 1st team until Greg Anthony got in trouble back in January 2015.
Raftery was there all along, and he's definitely the best listen.
Amen. Packer over Raft was the second greatest crime of the college basketball century behind the bagmen/shoe company slime ball epidemic.
Too difficult to rank- they’re all so good.
Can't believe someone was actually objecting to 'onions'. Actually, I can, but it's stupid.
"Get those puppies organized!"
They are very hard to rank justly, in my own opinion, as they are all precious somehow, but the mental image with this one is always so serene.
There was a great UNC-UK game a few years back (well, more than a few I guess) where Tayshaun Prince hit a bunch of threes to begin the game. After the last one, Raftery screamed "he's got the puppies set off the bus!" I always loved that one.
raftery was a guy that i didn't cotton to initially, but he has grown on me kind of like gus johnson has.
go red raiders, beat sparty!
ONIONS!
"He's dropping lingerie on the deck" is an instant classic.
Most treasured/beloved: Raftery
Most astute: Dakich
Most annoying: Vitale
Most high: Walton
An "up-vote" for the most annoying. Vitale and Corso-OMG!!!
I pray that Ty Jerome hits a buzzer beater this weekend
Bill Raftery is to basketball broadcasting what Keith Jackson is to college football: legendary and unique National Treasures.
One major question, though: while Raftery is still broadcasting, I swear I recently read rumors on this board of Keith passing away. Can anyone confirm this?
Anyone that has been on this board can confirm it. Along with the dead horses that have been beaten as well.
Not sure of Keith’s passing, but I was thinking of offering up an OT on gravy...go or no go?
Raftery is the best color commentator in college sports. He might be the best in all of sports. He’s got a love for the game that is contagious but not obnoxious like Dick Vitale. He doesn’t show a bias toward favorites from what I can tell either. Just disappointed he has to work with a tool like Jim Nantz - who probably has the best job in sports - SB once every four years, March Madness and the Masters.
Even the ones you absolutely know are coming are good...
"They come out, man-to-man"
For me, it's his presentation, his voice, and his energy. He could say anything and it would be good.
"I'm retiring."
I'd up vote this if I could. Whenever I hear him call a game it's my impression he thinks he's the main attraction and the game is secondary .
This is what I get when I click on the OP's link:
"Sorry, the page you're looking for can't be found…"
Is that one of Raftery's catchphrases?
Odd, because it worked last night and earlier this morning - but it is not working for me either now.
Perhaps onions was too controversial for the snowflakes and they took it down?!
Looks like that fearsome lobby, Big Onion, has taken down the link.
A little KISSSSSSSS