Talk:Bert Blyleven

Format tag

The article just needs a little tweaking for better presentation, in particular with some section heading in the intro paragraph. I would reference some other MLB bios like George Brett, Jim Edmonds, Derek Jeter, and Kirby Puckett. Agne 03:28, 3 August 2006 (UTC)

Merge proposal

I have set up a proposal to merge Circle Me, Bert into this article. I don't think it merits an article of its own. It has been a tiny stub for more than two years, and there is very little room for expansion without copious amounts of original research. Kafziel 03:47, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

• Agreed, will move into a section into the Bert Blyleven article. Footballplayr69 02:49, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

• Moved, put into subsection of the commentary section of the article Footballplayr69 02:57, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

Funny story

Here's a funny story about Bert... One time after David Ortiz (then in his final year with the Twins) hit a pop-fly, Dick started talking with the special guest that they had in the booth (I forgot his name) about whether a ball that is hit straight up goes faster on the way up or on the way down. After the two men discussed it for a moment, Bert came with the Solomonesque insight of "I think it depends who hits it!"

Do you think that this should be included in his article? Daniel J. Forman 18:05, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

No

Yes, it does.

Recreate Separate Article?

Does anybody think it's time to consider recreating this article? The list of off-color comments is beginning to overpower the Blyleven article. Sparkyfry 20:46, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

Neutrality?

The "off-color comments" section in particular seems to have been written by someone with a vendetta against Mr. Blyleven -- perhaps a group or individual who champions virtuous content on TV, with a protective "children first" sort of viewpoint? The section is filled with things that aren't necessarily relevant and do not have references. Some of the comments mentioned, particularly the last comment about cats, are not even really off-color. Looking more into the history of the section, it seems that there has been an attempt to expand the section to justify recreating the original "Inappropriate comments..." article. As was stated in that debate, comments that don't make the news are not Wikipedia-worthy (and also not easily sourceable). There is enough of that to warrant a "controversy"-type section, but I don't think Wikipedia is the place to document all of Bert's semi-objectionable comments.

The "Commentator career" section generally also shows signs of bias and unsourceable claims.

• Well, speaking as the person who added several of those and who originally created the separate article, I can tell you that I don't have a vendetta against him. The contrary is actually true -- I enjoy his commentary a great deal. To me, part of the fun of Twins broadcasts is listening to Bert make these comments and to Bremer squirming while trying to avoid responding. It seems like an important of his style as a commentator, and worthy of mention here. In my mind, it also makes the article a more interesting read, the same way Twins broadcasts are more interesting with Bert being there. You're way off base suggesting the list is based in some sort of prudish censoring mentality. I should add that I created the article well before the most notorious example (dropping the F-bomb on live TV). I don't have a problem with some of them being removed, such as the cat comment -- that one was suggested by a friend who regularly sends me such comments -- but I think these comments are frequent enough and watched by enough people to warrant mention. Sparkyfry 02:50, 26 April 2007 (UTC)
• Fair enough. I also enjoy Bert's commentary. However, what you've said here still doesn't justify the section. The vast majority of those comments are not the sort of thing that belongs in Wikipedia on account of their unnotable nature and lack of sourcing. The section could be improved if it was pared down to a discussion of the F-bomb and Paula Abdul comments, with a little introduction maybe about how Bert is notable as a commentator because of these kinds of remarks. There's really no need to catalog his various throwaway statements in bullet points, not even to get a sense of his personality or commentating style. -Joe 20241117234337
  • It's worth pointing out that most of the Twins broadcasts are on cable, where standards are a little more relaxed. And I think if Dick Bremer really had a problem with Bert, they wouldn't still be broadcasting together. Wahkeenah 10:45, 26 April 2007 (UTC)
    • I don't think I agree. In addition to making the article a more enjoyable read, having a list of statements demonstrates that his inappropriate comments aren't limited to the topics of sex and poo. He has also made fun of foreign names, compared people to the disabled, and asked awkward questions of politicians. The bullet points are getting kind of long, but I'd say if anything, that argues for creating a separate article on the topic. And I don't think Bremer "has a problem" with Bert that would jeopardize their working together. I merely said Bert's statements sometimes make Bremer uncomfortable, which seems hard to dispute. Sparkyfry 17:19, 11 June 2007 (UTC)
      • While some of Blyleven's comments are probably unacceptable by FCC standards, the section itself is biased in that determinations as to the merit or appropriateness of the comments are completely based on personal value judgments. Presenting them quotations in their current fashion are more representative of a personal attack on Blyleven, or of someone wishing to pass judgment as to the content of the quotations. A more positivist approach should be taken to this page, and content providers should shy away from making normative judgment calls as Blyleven's commentary as a Twins announcer.
        • If you're going to make a major edit like that, at least have the courtesy to register as a user. Many people have contributed to that section, and it seems rather presumptuous to eliminate all of it in one fell swoop. Even the people who disagreed with some of the points acknowledged that the fact that Bert got suspended for a week was notable. I put it back, although I did take out a couple of the comments that seem like a stretch.Sparkyfry 21:06, 29 June 2007 (UTC)
          • Would it be a problem to simply include all the comments on a "show/hide" basis? That way the article could stay neat/tidy for those not interested, but could be expanded for those that are. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Goldsac (talk • contribs) 18:00, 17 October 2008 (UTC)

Hall of Fame

Is there some story behind his not being in the Hall already? It seems like "fifth all time in strikeouts" would be sufficient on its own to get someone into the Hall of Fame within ten years. john k (talk) 22:09, 8 March 2009 (UTC)

Every year I ask myself this same question. If you really want reasons besides the "5th all time strikeouts" = Yes, and the "Never won a Cy Young and didn't win 300" = No, go to www.bertbelongs.com and you can compare Mr. Blyleven's stats against current and future Hall of famers. He should have been a lock years ago. I've been working on a section to address this, but I keep having a problem with neutral POV, and to be honest I was hoping it wouldn't be necessary after the 2008 Hall ballot. Writers are morons. Rapier1 (talk) 05:59, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Moot now! I see some edits were made adding his HOF election today, i did some cleanup as well. Probably a lot more could be done... maybe after Cooperstown! YAYYYY BERT!TjoeC (talk) 20:36, 5 January 2011 (UTC)

Negative tone to article

The whole article seems to have a negitave tone to it. I'm no expert but I know enough about baseball that Bert did alot of good things too that are not in the article. Also can someone AT LEAST put citations on all of those negative things per WP:BLP? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.119.32.80 (talk) 00:48, 13 January 2010 (UTC)

Pitch Count in Off Color section

Bert doesn't like pitch counts but wouldn't it fit in the article better in a different section? Not really an off color comment if you ask me. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.107.0.86 (talk) 17:12, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Funny Guy

I spent 4 hours next to Bert on a flight from Orange County to the Twin Cities. He is a genuinely funny guy that kept me in stitches the whole way. I never heard a word which might be construed as off-color.