Bob Errey and Steve Mears are both out of the Penguins TV booth
Bob Errey and Steve Mears are both out of the Penguins TV booth. Article coming shortly.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) September 1, 2023
by ENOTTY
@Pittsburgh Penguins
Bob Errey and Steve Mears are both out of the Penguins TV booth
Bob Errey and Steve Mears are both out of the Penguins TV booth. Article coming shortly.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) September 1, 2023
by ENOTTY
32 Comments
Getzoff and Bourque/Armstrong (if 29er only wants radio) would be a massive TV upgrade.
This honestly isn’t too surprising based on the language the team used in their press release about buying AT&T Sports yesterday. I didn’t hate Bob Errey and Steve Mears, but I felt they were average at best.
I thought FSG would’ve kept things as they were, but we’ll see what new TV blood will bring.
I’ll be Bob Errey. Almost grew up with the Penguins with him in the booth. If only we could find a Mike Lange/ Doc Emery clone for the broadcast.
Hate it for Mears. Errey hurts the most. I’ll be really irritated if they fill the booth with a pair of randoms. Fingers crossed for Getzoff and the ol’ 29er.
Hopefully they just bring in the radio crew and up the quality of the audio on the broadcast. It’s frustrating watching ours lag behind. Like look at the Kraken, they built a monster of a broadcast overnight. I’d argue maybe best in the league. Zero reason the Pens can’t have that.
Oof. I liked both quite a bit so this isn’t fun to hear. Hope they get someone good.
As a fan from Minnesota, one of the main reasons I love the Pens is their broadcast team(radio/tv). This sucks. I love their energy and insight. Way better than the Wild broadcast team by a mile.
whoever they get I hope has a passion for the Pens, that way it’s like watching with a friend. Ya’ know, gets excited for the players and team.
Mears is a massive loss. As a newer fan, he’s my voice of the Penguins on TV, and I’ve grown to love his commentary. Brutal.
I love Errey. Ye ol pickle stabber. Sigh
Hopefully Mears lands on his feet somewhere–I wasn’t a huge fan of his voice as a play-by-play guy but he’s got a professional delivery and a good sense of the game.
Errey’s departure surprises me, since he’s been around a long time and clearly has passion and knowledge.
Always thought like Mears was a bit too robotic and emotionless in his PxP, but I thought he needed some time to develop his style. I also like that he is young and grew up in the area. Oh well.
Errey could be funny and kind of a goofball and I liked him for that, but I never felt like he explained the game all that well. (I also like Potash for being a goofball, but maybe two goofballs is too much, especially one in the color role.)
EDIT: Maybe Mears can go to host the in-studio show. I feel like that might be ideal for his style
Where’s that guy who called this yesterday?!
Sad to hear. Errey is basically all I’ve ever known.
I hope they replace Mears with someone with a bit more enthusiasm. I always felt like he was half paying attention to the game and never expressed any personal attitudes toward the team. His goal call with the “they would not be denied” was super half hearted and I strongly felt like he didn’t have any personal investment into the team. Hopefully Bourque and Getzoff get the call up because they aren’t afraid to call it like it is and provide significantly more insight than “penguins really buzzing here late in the 2nd…”
Potash lives!
I didn’t really have a hatred for Mears and I thought Errey could be hilarious at times. Not sure who you replace them with
I’ll miss Errey. 😔
I can see Mearsy joining NHL/ESPN as a 3rd broadcast team play-by-play. He calls the game well and his even emotions (or lack) probably play better on a national telecast.
Errey actually got better with Mearsy imo. Paul tried to add too much color in his play by play and it felt like they were competing for commentating in game. Mearsy stayed in his lane and Errey provided less friction in his color because of it. Not sure where he ends up. Would love if he replaced Caulfield honestly.
I’m really gonna miss Errey.
[Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4825526/2023/09/01/penguins-bob-errey-steve-mears-tv/) (Yohe) reporting that their sources from the team expect Getzoff to do the TV PxP. Bourque will remain as analyst, but not sure whether radio or TV or both. Armstrong to have a bigger role.
Athletic also posted a nice letter that Errey wrote to the fans, reproduced below:
> Dear Pittsburgh Penguin Fans,
>
> It is with a heavy heart that I share this with you. I received an unexpected call yesterday informing me that I would not be returning as Pittsburgh Penguins TV analyst this coming season.
>
> My journey began in 1983 as a wide-eyed teenager with no idea of what to expect on the ice or in the City of Pittsburgh. It took time but with determined players and passionate fans we achieved the dream of bringing the Cup to Pittsburgh.
>
> After my playing days, as luck would have it, I took the radio analyst position. My family dug our roots into the community and into youth hockey. We loved the ‘Burgh and me my job.
>
> I was fortunate to work with Paul Steigerwald, who lives and breathes hockey, and who helped me get better every day. I was willing to learn. With the arrival of Sidney Crosby I moved to the TV booth with Hall of Famer Mike Lange. I was as excited and nervous probably as you guys were. Both to work with Mike and to watch Sid do his thing. Wow! Very fortunate.
>
> My last six years in the booth with Steve Mears have been equally as rewarding. What a pro. Tremendous talent. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our friend Dan Potash for our laughs and his connection with the players. Truly one of a kind.
>
> I have nothing but the utmost respect and love for my former colleagues and friends that I have worked with for the past 22 years! You the fans have consistently tuned in and made us the No. 1 local broadcast in the league every year. Incredible, really.
>
> I loved my nights in Pittsburgh and in the booth. I will cherish the many incredible moments this seat has given me. It has brought me a special joy and excitement and I hope it did for you as well.
>
> I am not sure where my travels will take me next but I look forward to the next chapter and will put as much energy and effort into it as I have here. And if you see me in this great city, make sure to stop me and say hello!
>
> Thank you again.
>
> It’s been my pleasure.
>
> — Bob Errey
>
>
Is Potash safe?
I interviewed Mears for my now defunct podcast back in 2018.
Really liked him a lot. One thing he touched n on my interview was how his al ost mechanical style of commentary was due to attempts to mask his massive bias as a Pens fan.
I haven’t talked to him in years, but we used to text during the playoffs every once in a while. Truly a good dude and a Penguins fan to a fault.
I hope he finds work at a national level because I think he’s perfect for it.
Damn…adios to a couple real ones. Mearsy was never my favorite but he was solid enough: I hope he finds a home elsewhere and quick. Errey was that fun old uncle who just threw out nonsequiturs at random; it was so obvious how much he just loved the game. Hope both of them hit the ground running.
End of an era, but I do think it was time to breathe new life. Excited to see how this network brings coverage into the present day.
Pour one out for Bob
This is going to age absolutely horribly. Errey was great idc what anyone else says, dude loved Penguins hockey.
Wow really? Can’t believe y’all are excited to see them go. Where’s the appreciation for their work?
If they go for a boston style Jack Edward’s type homer, that’s really gonna suck. I hate biased announcers. Mears basically neutered himself to not seem homerish, that’s the only negative about him and i think it was necessary. He’d make a great national broadcaster, I think NHL or ESPN will scoop him up. Pretty big loss for the Pens, considering how kuch worse it can get. Just listen to some of these jackasses around the league and it’s more then likely we get someone way worse then Steve Mears.
Erry, on the other hand – cannot be replaced. Stupid, stupid move to let him go.
These 2 are great. It doesn’t make sense.
I will miss them both, people you don’t appreciate until you’re stuck listening to another teams announcers or worse national announcers. Great cups runs covered by these two, won’t forget it!
Aw dammit what are we going to do without Errey-otica?