Raise YOUR Voice!

Rick R. from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

(This was sent to FSN by Rick R.)

As a devout Penguins fan, I believe it is my duty to write to you on a very pressing matter concerning your Pittsburgh Penguins broadcasts. Very simply stated, Mike Lange needs to be put back behind the FSN Pittsburgh microphone.

There is no way to sugar-coat the reasons so I will not be vague. Paul Stagerwald does no justice to Penguin games. As a viewer, I want to be involved in the game as well as entertained during the game. Paul Stagerwald provides neither viewing experience.

Hockey is a very fast paced visual game that requires attention to enjoy. Watching all the action on screen is sometimes interrupted by distractions either at viewers’ homes or elsewhere on the ice. The main goal of a play-by-play announcer is to put the action into words so that viewers are able to follow the game as easily as possible. In my opinion, a viewer should be able to close their eyes and still be able to picture the action on the screen. This is presently not possible during your broadcasts. Paul Stagerwald consistently strays from his play-by-play duties to engage in supplementary discussion with his color analyst, therefore leaving viewers unable to follow the game. While occasionally insightful, it is always distracting and disrupting to the game-flow.

While I will never question Paul Stagerwald’s enthusiasm, knowledge and desire to call the games as best he can, I question his ability to keep an audience entertained. Paul has a very predictable routine during games: he varies little in vocabulary and finds himself far wittier than he actually is. Personally, I am not drawn to his voice nor humor at any time and that makes me wonder how many other viewers feel the same.

The reinstatement of Mike Lange would cure both these game-day maladies. Mr. Lange has magnetic personality that captures listeners, keeps them entertained and, most importantly, enhances the viewing experience by calling every play on the ice. His signature catchphrases are part of Pittsburgh legend just as much as Myron Copes’, “Double yoi.” Viewers love a great personality and the Pittsburgh population loves their Mike Lange.

After the season, when it is again contract time, do the right thing for us loyal Penguins fans don’t stab us in the backs again. Just scratch us with a hacksaw and give us back Mike Lange. Go Pens!

Sincerely,
Rick R.
3/4/2008

To Mike Lange's fans:
Please, PLEASE call [Fox Sports Pittsburgh] yourselves! We'll never be heard if we don't speak up. If you call, let everyone know how it went, hopefully it'll inspire more people to voice their opinions. Go Pens!