Ranking the top 3 Mets broadcasting teams

No. 2 was them NY Mets threesome of Lindsey Nelson, Ralph Kiner, and Bob Murphy, together from 1962 through 1978.

This team was there from the beginning back in 1962 and had to endure the days of The Old Professor Casey Stengel and Marvelous Marv Throneberry and were able to be a huge part of the miracle season of 1969. They were together for 17 seasons and the three would actually rotate and do both radio and TV.

Lindsey Nelson was usually the lead and would welcome the audience to the broadcast…”Hello everyone. I’m Lindsey Nelson along with Ralph Kiner and Bob Murphy…”

Who could ever forget this call of his? “At 9:07 on September 24th, the New York Mets clinched the Eastern Division of the National League. Look at that scene…Gentry’s cap is gone…it’s a scene of wild jubilation.”

Nelson had a friendly southern semi-drawl and was famous for wearing wacky colorful sport jackets. Wacky even for the 70’s. Nelson did a lot of college football, especially Notre Dame games, and would leave the Mets after the 1978 season to broadcast for the San Francisco Giants.

Although Ralph Kiner would always be listed as a play-by-play guy, he was NOT good at calling a game. In fact, if he was doing the radio side, you would most likely be lost. He was a great storyteller and, paired with McCarver, would make for a great baseball talk show. But the key to a great broadcast team is a play-by-play person who is accurate and reliable. During this period, teamed with Nelson and Murphy, Kiner was perfectly situated as the color analyst before there really were guys considered “color analysts.”

The great home run hitter’s big hit with the Mets was Kiner’s Korner. His post-game show was a GREAT watch but, unfortunately the show was only after home games. And, of course, Kiner was also king of the malapropos and, more often than not, one would be dropped into a broadcast.

One Father’s Day, he said, “And to all of you fathers out there…happy birthday.” He was very loved and continued to broadcast for 53 seasons, retiring from the booth after 2013 season.

Bob Murphy, as stated previously, was a true professional who painted the picture for everyone. He always seemed more comfortable on the radio side. And it always seemed like Nelson was more comfortable on the TV side. Murphy was great at painting the picture, while Nelson was superb at letting the picture itself paint the story.

Nelson, Kiner, and Murphy truly complimented each other’s skills and talents. They each brought something different to the broadcast, which is probably what make it work so well.