They help make the game more interesting for those watching it on television. We know their voices. As children, we imagined our name said by them in an excited tone as we made a spectacular play toward the end of the game. They’re the announcers.

Some are good, and some are not so good. Some make the game wonderful, and some shouldn’t be allowed near a microphone ever again.

Here’s my top five worst and top five best.

Worst:

5. Tom Kirkland

I still remember the first game I saw which he was announcing. It was BYU vs. Utah State. He didn’t have a clue as to what was going on. I do admit that he has gotten better since his first game, but that made me laugh.

4. Ron Boone

Somebody get him a rule book! He played basketball professionally and he doesn’t know some of the basic rules. Many Jazz fans who listen to him just want to hear that the Jazz got screwed, even when they didn’t, and Boone fits that role.

3. Marv Albert

NBC should have stuck to its guns and not re-hired this guy. He makes the games almost boring, even though he coined phrases like, “from downtown,” and “he got the step,” which kids still use.

2. Dennis Miller

ABC wanted to make a point and I think it made it?the network ran out of ideas! He has a sense of humor few people understand. And considering the fact that many people who watch Monday Night Football are drunk anyway, I don’t think a lot of people get him.

1. Bill Walton

The only thing I can think of is, “He stinks!” I think NBC was just so excited to find an articulate 7 foot former player, they didn’t care about some of his outrageous comments.

That’s the worst. Here’s the best five announcers around.

5. Dick Vitale

Oh, baby! It’s Dickey V bringin’ the show time, baby! (OK, I just had to do that.) Many can’t stand him. I think he’s funny and makes the game fun to watch. Let’s just make sure he’s the only Dickey V around.

4. Craig Bolerjack

A local guy, eh? Well, he’s good and he deserves it. All the girls love his dimples and all the guys like his non-favoritism approach. Well, many anyway. He knows how to keep the listener intrigued.

3. Billy Packer

You will actually learn something from Packer. He could be the most intelligent voice in basketball. He knows the rules and how the game should be played. Even officials will sometimes listen to him, and that’s rare.

2. Keith Jackson

He’s the “Granddaddy of them all.” Actually, that’s what he calls the Rose Bowl, but I think it converts. When a guy stays around as long as he has, that usually speaks for itself. When you watch a game he calls, you know it will be treated fairly.

1. Jack Buck

He’s not real well-known. He used to call MNF on the radio. He doesn’t try to be exciting, it just naturally happens. He knows how to be laid-back without boring the listener.

It could be the two worst teams in the league, playing for last place in the “Loser Bowl,” and if Buck were calling the game, it would make me think it was the most important game of the year.

His voice and tonal quality are unmatched by anyone, and that’s what makes him the best.

He’s retired now and about the only place you’ll find him is in the Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame, but he has forever changed the way I watch sports.

Listen to the way announcers call the game. Their personalities and phrase choices help make the game for the viewer.

You will like some and dislike others, just like me, but it will be fun for you.

Lance welcomes feedback at: [email protected].