Raise YOUR Voice!

Dan L. from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

First off, I love what you are doing. Absolutely love it. Every game I turn down the tv and turn on the radio - don't care if there's a delay although I may have to investigate buying that delay play device you advertised if Mike is back on radio again next year!

A little disappointed I missed out on the appreciation day at Excuses, but I did manage to meet him at the Waterfront. You know, I don't think I'd ever go to an autograph signing for a player, but Lange is the reason hockey is my favorite sport and it was a great honor meeting him.

Yes, I took part in that Penguins survey and gave as many compliments to Lange and many poor grades to FSN as possible.

Haven't checked your web site in a few weeks, but noticed you posted your letter to Bob Smizik after that horrible column he wrote. Well, here was my message - I tried to be as professional as possible even though I was quite perturbed as I reread the article multiple times so I could make my points (by the way, I never got a response from Bob and I bet you didn't either):

Bob,

Even if his Foster Hewitt award worthy broadcasting had supposedly “slipped” in recent years (and I don’t believe that was the case as I will explain below), Mike Lange is still the best announcer and is far better than Paul Steigerwald. It’s comparable to when Mario Lemieux played at 50% because of a bad back and still managed to score in 46 straight games and be the best player in the game – Mike Lange at 50% is better than most. But again, I don’t feel he has slipped. Lange is still at the top of his game and I would challenge you to find any difference between the Lange of today and the Lange that announced the Stanley Cup victories in the 90’s or for the horrible teams in the 80’s. Lange has an amazing ability to paint the action while calling the play seamlessly, effortlessly, and without the typical hometown bias. He makes the game exciting and will even call an opponent’s goal with just as much fanfare as a Penguins goal at times. That’s why I turn down the sound on the TV and turn on the radio every game. “Steigy“ seems more interested in telling us color commentating type facts instead of following the play and his call of the game is often boring and dull. As you said in your article, Steigy has done “good work” (in other words “mediocre”), but Lange is doing a “superb” job so would you rather have someone who is superb or good at their job reach the TV audience?

Back to Lange’s firing - why kid anyone in your article and insinuate it was because people thought his work had slipped. I believe the firing was absolutely about money. If FSN knew they would get the same ratings with Steigy as they did with Lange, why didn’t they just keep the favorite Lange, slipping ability or not, to keep all the fans happy? Their politically correct explanation was they thought it was time to give Steigerwald a chance. Give me a break. In other words, they knew they could pay Steigy less than what a legendary announcer like Mike Lange demands and would still have the same ratings. Cheaper alternative + same ratings = good business I guess. But there is no way FSN could say the decision was made because they thought Steigerwald is a better announcer. Steigerwald falls in a long line of typical announcers you hear day in and day out who don’t do anything that distinguishes themselves. Maybe you are right that the days when announcers drove ratings and attracted fans are over, but Mike Lange helped build up FSN’s fan base to where it is today and I believe he can still attract more fans with his unique way of announcing.

I also wouldn’t say the anger of his firing has completely dissipated. Go to www.bringbackmike.com and check out some of the comments, including what people around the country think about watching Steigy and Errey on the NHL Centre Ice package. Granted the web site is biased, but the comments are there. How many other announcers who were fired two years ago would warrant the creation of a web site to bring them back to tv? (In fact, how many can say they sell their own t-shirts?) You can count me as someone who is still angry and I bet if you ask 10 fans, 9 would say they would rather listen to Lange than Steigy. Here’s one guy hoping he is rightfully back on television next year, although that would probably mean FSN would have to pay more money which they apparently aren’t willing to do.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Lange last night at the Waterfront. The man is a class act and stayed well beyond his two hour window, signing everyone’s autograph and posing for many pictures with a smile. He has been elevated by the fans to legendary status because he is worthy of being a legend. Thanks for the article and alerting everyone that Lange’s and Steigerwald’s contract are up for renewal. Hopefully people will again voice their opinion to FSN that they want Mike Lange back on tv. According to www.bringbackmike.com, apparently people are already calling and emailing in droves.

Dan L.