Billy Baldwin...

[shak66_psu]

I mean, c'mon, enough of him already... reminds me of the old Peter Puck days... what's really the purpose of having him on? at all? The idea of Peter Puck was to help non-hockey fans learn about hockey. I assume the purpose of Billy Baldwin is to (somehow) appeal to a broader audience (beyond wrestling fans)? Turns out non-hockey fans don't watch hockey and people who don't like wrestling do not watch it.

And my Penn State bias aside, David Taylor is soooooo much better as a commentator than Robles.... he has really awesome insights, particularly since he is still wrestling and familiar with so many of the guys individual styles.

 

[TangSoo]

Damn, I forgot about Peter Puck. Cool memory............Agree about DT. He is awesome in front of the camera.

 

[billrag]

While I make a habit of disliking the Baldwins in general, I think Billy's a good interview for NCAAs. He was a college wrestler himself and is a big fan and promoter of the sport. Much like the criticism of Snyder's coverage, there are probably better things to complain about in my opinion. Also agree wholeheartedly about Taylor, but he's still very competitive these days. When he slows down on the mat, I'd love to see ESPN give him a full-time gig during NCAAs.

 

[SRATH]

Last night was the first I’ve watch due to work. Billy Bostick Baldwin looked baked.

 

[LDandy]

What's with all the complaining? First its Ryan, then Snyder, now Billy Baldwin? ESPN has three days of multi-hour coverage to fill. They are utilizing a known celebrity who is both passionate about the sport, and has credibility as a former competitor. People need to simply enjoy how awesome the coverage ESPN providing really is, and thank their lucky stars some hack outfit like FLO isn't in charge of streaming this thing.

 

[Ian]

And Gibbons....

 

[GogglesPaizano]

He is a Klingon, and I am not talking the Star Trek variety. A couple of years ago he was a novelty but now he just annoys for the most part. The problem is ESPN is trying to add some mass appeal to an event that is really only attractive to enthusiast like us. They're lucky if a generic sports fan has heard of anyone beyond Kyle Snyder. Billy is more familiar as a brother than due to his own career, and just because he wrestled for a small school 40 years ago, I honestly don't see how he adds anything over what another charismatic Olympic class wrestler brings to the table. I would be ok if they would give him his one segment, but too much of that mug is not a good thing. Last year was worse when i think they had him on during Nolf's semi or final unless my memory fails. They definitely had an aggravating cutaway to someone.

 

[dicemen99]

I like Baldwin. Always promoting the sport. Promotes the non power squads.

My only issue with him us that he looked like the Heat Miser on TV this morning, sans the catchy song. Must have been a rough night in Cleveland.

 

[TangSoo]

What's with all the complaining? First its Ryan, then Snyder, now Billy Baldwin? ESPN has three days of multi-hour coverage to fill. They are utilizing a known celebrity who is both passionate about the sport, and has credibility as a former competitor. People need to simply enjoy how awesome the coverage ESPN providing really is, and thank their lucky stars some hack outfit like FLO isn't in charge of streaming this thing.

Good Lord. That would be a cluster****.

 

[Hotshoe]

Do people need to find reasons to bitch the last two days or what? Billy was a wrestler. Billy loves wrestling. Billy loves Binghamton wrestling. Billy promotes wrestling. Billy was super excited when his wrestler won.

WE LIKE BILLY, HE'S NOT ALEC.

Now go and be happy. We are in the driver's seat, and we were gonna lose by 50. Remember?

 

[TangSoo]

Billy Baldwin had love scenes with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sharon Stone and Cindy Crawford and married Chynna Phillips. He has my respect

 

[86PSUPaul]

Do people need to find reasons to bitch the last two days or what? Billy was a wrestler. Billy loves wrestling. Billy loves Binghamton wrestling. Billy promotes wrestling. Billy was super excited when his wrestler won.

WE LIKE BILLY, HE'S NOT ALEC.

Now go and be happy. We are in the driver's seat, and we were gonna lose by 50. Remember?

LOL, Tom is a great moderator, but Hotshoe tells it like it is!

 

[GogglesPaizano]

Billy Baldwin had love scenes with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sharon Stone and Cindy Crawford and married Chynna Phillips. He has my respect

I forgot about that, good one. What respect I had for the 4 of them just plummeted though.

 

[Hotshoe]

Well after yesterday, with the naysayers on here...I mean, I think Cael's got this. We clearly lost some we shouldn't have, and gutted out some tough ones. Nick can make ya go crazy. I swear I've never seen a wrestler have a TD, and move past it to get taken down more the he has. He could have won his first match today. Off season will fix a lot of Nick's game. He's very close to being an excellent wrestler. He showed a ton this tourney for a freshman.

 

[tikk10]

I like Baldwin. Always promoting the sport. Promotes the non power squads.

My only issue with him us that he looked like the Heat Miser on TV this morning, sans the catchy song. Must have been a rough night in Cleveland.

He looks like that every day I think, and I don't think he parties. Could be wrong about that though.

Agreed that he's basically a net plus. Minor celebrity, but appears to genuinely follow and care at least as much as the average fan. I know he's involved with the Binghamton program even when the cameras aren't running.

 

[dmm53]

Taylor is quite good with his commentary. Insightful, to the point, and quick with responses. Puts things into perspective and answers the questions directly and without hesitation.

 

[T J]

I like Baldwin. Always promoting the sport. Promotes the non power squads.

My only issue with him us that he looked like the Heat Miser on TV this morning, sans the catchy song. Must have been a rough night in Cleveland.

LOL - That nails the look.

 

[NittanyChris]

Actually, I kind of like the guy. The thing that comes across is that his passion for the sport appears to be very genuine. He's not there for the photo opp. I fault ESPN for putting him on a bit too much, but that's not Baldwin's fault. The guy seems to be a good promoter of the sport. There are far worse things to complain about regarding ESPN.

 

[dsites52]

I don’t get the Billy Baldwin hate either. However, to be fair, I don’t watch the tv broadcast because I can’t stand Gibbons or Johnson.

 

[86PSUPaul]

I don’t mind Billy either, but I only listen to JB while watching the TV

 

[Brian LB-U]

Do people need to find reasons to bitch the last two days or what? Billy was a wrestler. Billy loves wrestling. Billy loves Binghamton wrestling. Billy promotes wrestling. Billy was super excited when his wrestler won.

WE LIKE BILLY, HE'S NOT ALEC.

Now go and be happy. We are in the driver's seat, and we were gonna lose by 50. Remember?

+1000

 

[JohnnyHandsome]

I like Baldwin on the broadcasts.. he knows wrestling and is legit when he's rooting for certain wrestlers... his body is twisting & turning like we all have done for our own kids or favorites.

Having him probably gets a few more casual viewers interested in the sport and lets face it, the guy has become a tradition now.... keep it going imo

 

[nittanyfan333]

You can tell he's very smart on the sport and knows it well. When he was talking about how wrestling is on the rise in the ACC, he rattled off the coaches at UNC, NCState, Duke, and VT right off the top of his head. dude knows his stuff.

as a side note, you wrestling junkies converted another one here. I've never really watched wrestling, but the fact that state is in it and OSU is the enemy, i decided I was gonna be all in. I haven't watched the early sessions, but i watched some of todays session (before Duke started playing) and i'm gonna watch ALL of tonights championships.

 

[lionlover]

I mean, c'mon, enough of him already... reminds me of the old Peter Puck days... what's really the purpose of having him on? at all? The idea of Peter Puck was to help non-hockey fans learn about hockey. I assume the purpose of Billy Baldwin is to (somehow) appeal to a broader audience (beyond wrestling fans)? Turns out non-hockey fans don't watch hockey and people who don't like wrestling do not watch it.

And my Penn State bias aside, David Taylor is soooooo much better as a commentator than Robles.... he has really awesome insights, particularly since he is still wrestling and familiar with so many of the guys individual styles.

I really LOVE Baldwin's passion. It's genuine. He is good advertisement for the sport.

 

[lionlover]

Actually, I kind of like the guy. The thing that comes across is that his passion for the sport appears to be very genuine. He's not there for the photo opp. I fault ESPN for putting him on a bit too much, but that's not Baldwin's fault. The guy seems to be a good promoter of the sport. There are far worse things to complain about regarding ESPN.

I should have read your post before I made mine.

 

[PSUcup1]

I like Baldwin

He is also a PSU fan (after Binghamton)

 

[lionlover]

He looks like that every day I think, and I don't think he parties. Could be wrong about that though.

Agreed that he's basically a net plus. Minor celebrity, but appears to genuinely follow and care at least as much as the average fan. I know he's involved with the Binghamton program even when the cameras aren't running.

LOL, how could you say that you don't think he parties, when he must have said at least three times on air that he was gathering a group of his friends and was throwing a party at the Rock and Roll museum in Cleveland?

 

[lionlover]

And Gibbons....

C'mon man, Gibbons has forgotten more about wrestling than you and I know about the sport (Since I know near nothing, I felt confident in making this statement)

 

[mps161]

I loved Billy since he was in Backdraft!

 

[tikk10]

LOL, how could you say that you don't think he parties, when he must have said at least three times on air that he was gathering a group of his friends and was throwing a party at the Rock and Roll museum in Cleveland?

Okay, lol, I think maybe I'm confusing my Baldwins. Still, I've seen him up close three years straight and that's exactly how he looks every time.