Marlin Maniac interview with Miami Marlins Glenn Geffner

MM:  Take us through the thought process going into the broadcast booth. Is there a particular experience you want to communicate every time to listeners? How much of what you do is true of every Miami Marlins broadcast, and how much changes game to game?

GG: That’s an interesting question. I’ll start with this: I do the same basic prep work for every Miami Marlins game, my daily stat work, my daily reading and my daily conversations. Just like a lot of players, I’m a creature of habit, and I have my daily routine.

Beyond that, my thought process is pretty consistent day-to-day. For one thing, you can go into a game with a plan, but you have to be quick to adjust because you never know where the game is going to take you. I’m very conscious of the fact people tune in because they want to know how the game is going.  They’re not turning in to a talk show to listen to us. It’s not about the broadcasters. It’s about the team, and it’s about the game.

Our job is to describe what’s happening on the field. That’s first and foremost. In doing that, the goal is to hopefully add a little insight and perspective that makes the game more enjoyable and interesting. Whether it’s statistical or anecdotal, historical, analytical whatever it may be, I look at what we do as trying to supplement a fan’s enjoyment of the game.

This game is 1 of 162. There was one last night. There’ll be another one tomorrow night. How can I put tonight’s 9 innings into context? Why does this game matter? It may or may not matter in the standings, but there are always reasons why games matter. Maybe part of that is explaining what a big deal it is that Gift Ngoepe is at second base for the Pirates tonight.

Maybe it’s talking about Daniel Nava‘s remarkable journey to the big leagues. Maybe it’s trying to answer the question why is Dee Gordon getting hit so much more this year than he has in the past, or why Marcell Ozuna‘s production has jumped from one year to the next.

Maybe it’s helping people understand how hard a pitcher worked to get back on a big league mound after missing a year, or why Jeff Locke has the Luis Tiant-style back turn in his delivery. Whatever it may be, the hope is that after listening to one of our games on the radio, people will feel like they’ve got a little more insight into what’s happening with the Miami Marlins and maybe why it’s happening.  

Next: Marlins at Braves: Three Stories

That’s a wrap for chapter one. Stay tuned for the rest of our interview with Miami Marlins broadcaster Glenn Geffner. And while we’re at it, let’s all hope he enjoys his time at Stadium # 52.