16. Boston Red Sox: 2.34

Previous ranking: 13

Previous grade: 2.44

-Dave O’Brien (play by play)

-Jerry Remy (analyst)

-Dennis Eckersley (analyst)

-Steve Lyons (analyst)

Most popular grade: B (35.43% of votes)

Analysis: The departure of Don Orsillo from NESN only resulted in a small hit to Boston’s rating, but the team did drop slightly in our rankings as a result. The Red Sox are the first of many teams to not break the 10% mark in D votes, as well.

15. Detroit Tigers: 2.39

Previous ranking: 11

Previous grade: 2.46

-Mario Impemba (play by play)

-Rod Allen (analyst)

-Kirk Gibson (analyst – select)

-Jack Morris (analyst – select)

Most popular grade: B (34.36% of votes)

Analysis: The Tigers’ grade dropped a bit, and as such, their ranking fell. It happens. Detroit is our first team that didn’t receive at least 10% of F votes.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates: 2.40

Previous ranking: 14

Previous grade: 2.28

-Greg Brown (play by play)

-Joe Block (play by play)

-Steve Blass (analyst)

-Bob Walk (analyst)

-John Wehner (analyst)

Most popular grade: B (28.86% of votes)

Analysis: Tough life – the Pirates overall rating improved, but their ranking didn’t. There’s only so much that replacing Tim Neverett with Joe Block can do for you.

13. Atlanta Braves: 2.41

Previous ranking: 21

Previous grade: 2.06

-Chip Caray (play by play)

-Joe Simpson (analyst)

-Tom Glavine (analyst – select)

-John Smoltz (analyst – select)

-Dale Murphy (analyst – select)

Most popular grade: A (29.96% of votes)

Analysis: This baffles me, because the Braves core crew is the same as it’s been for years, only with ex-player analysts cycling in on occasion more often. I have no idea how their rating actually improved, because most Braves fans I know (including uh, myself) have an intense dislike for this team.

12. Seattle Mariners: 2.49

Previous ranking: 10

Previous grade: 2.47

-Dave Sims (play by play)

-Mike Blowers (analyst)

-Rick Rizzs (play by play – select)

-Aaron Goldsmith (play by play – select)

Most popular grade: B (33.97% of votes)

Analysis: Seattle’s rating slightly increased, but their ranking took a hit. There isn’t much to say about this aside from that.

11. Milwaukee Brewers: 2.57

Previous ranking: 8

Previous grade: 2.59

-Brian Anderson (play by play)

-Bill Schroeder (analyst)

-Craig Coshun (play by play – select)

-Matt Lepay (play by play – select)

Most popular grade: B (28.67% of votes)

Analysis: The next five teams are all packed together quite tight, with the Brewers coming in last of the bunch. That’s not a slight on them at all – more than 80% of their grades were A, B, or C.

10. Chicago White Sox (home): 2.57

Previous ranking: N/A

Previous grade: N/A

-Jason Benetti (play by play)

-Steve Stone (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (31.30% of votes)

Analysis: This one was a surprise – the newbie team of Benetti and Stone breaking into the top ten. This is our first team to break the 30% mark of A votes, and fans of the Pale Hose appear to be in good shape once Hawk Harrelson retires.

9. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 2.57

Previous ranking: 9

Previous grade: 2.53

-Victor Rojas (play by play)

-Mark Gubicza (analyst)

Most popular grade: A (31.44% of votes)

Analysis: The Angels’ crew checked in at the same spot as they did two years ago, and their overall grade was a tad bit better. This was the only team in the top 12 that had a percentage of D votes greater than 10%.

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