Deadspin: Bill Raftery

Bill Raftery Says What He Thinks. Seriously.

Leitch — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:20:09 EDT

While covering the SEC Tournament for The Sporting News, ~~Orson Swindle~~ Spencer Hall noticed a sheet of paper that analyst Bill Raftery had been doodling on. Above is that sheet of paper.

This is brilliant. We have always wondered what inspired Raftery's bizarre catchphrase, "Onions!" Now we know: It just happens to be what's on his brain at the time. Makes sense, and we have no further questions.

Bill Raftery Doodles Bill Raftery Phrases For Fun [The Sporting Blog]

Media Approval Ratings: Bill Raftery

Leitch — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:05:50 EDT

We think it's kind of amazing that ESPN has Bill Raftery working with Jay Bilas this week at the Big East tournament. That's not because we don't like either of them; far from it. It's just that Bilas, as a game broadcaster, seems to be doing a Bill Raftery impersonation. Which is fine, of course.

Just having them together is like having two Rafterys ... which is not so bad either. Few facts about Raftery we didn't know:

• He has worked as a golf commentator. It seems like everyone would just keep asking him to be quiet.
• P.J. Carlesimo took over for him as coach of Seton Hall.
• Uses the word "alacrity."

Send it in, Jerome! The kiss!

So: Do you like the Bill Raftery? Do you not like the Bill Raftery?

Bill Raftery And Verne Lundquist, Au Natural

Leitch — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:00:25 EDT

Like most of you, we enjoyed the dulcet tones of Bill Raftery during the tournament this past weekend, and we can't wait for more of the "with the KISS!" this coming Sweet 16 slate. But those of you who braved the NCAA Tournament On Demand saw even more of Raftery, catching him and partner Verne Lundquist in several off-mike moments.

Highlights: Verne Lundquist saying right before the National Anthem "We have what you might call a sparse crowd here today. It's really awful." Lundquist follows this later with "Aww, man, this crowd is sad. You just can't talk about it too much." Maybe the NCAA went back to New Orleans a little too soon... Raftery rather seductively tells Lundquist "Your voice sounds great," to which Lundquist, apparently battling a cold, starts doing vocal prepping "mimimimi"s. Lundquist: a true operatic voice.

It's only a matter of time until Nantz and Packer are caught as well:

Nantz: You know who's great? Celine Dion. She has a way of just owning a song.
Packer: On the way to the arena today, I killed a drifter just to watch him die.

Fun With Open Mics, Verne Lundquist And Bill Raftery Style [Feeding The Goat]