i'm a little late to the party, but holy crap yes.

i don't like my commentators to sound constipated

@DBDR: By Verne Lundquist.

12 percent of Deadspin voters are idiots. Well, that number is probably low, but I think the other 30 percent of the idiots voted "approve" by accident. But the 12 percent that voted "no" to Raff should have a giant dump taken on their chests.

@Little Lebowski Urban Achievers: +1

Approve vociferously. "Sometimes you get smooches, sometimes you get pecks, and sometimes...YOUGETTHEKISS!!!!"

@blastitbiggs: +1
I approve also. The man is a gem among a pile of zircons.

@Signal to Noise: Because someone's head will explode. Gus'? Bill's? The American People's? Who knows. While the pairing would be great entertainment value, I think it's best we keep these guys as far away as possible.

More 'Yes'...I could not be. I wish he were my grandfather.

a disapproval is a vote against this entire process. Raf is EVERYTHING you want in a color commentator

approve with the blow-by!

Slam dunk approval. Enthusiasm + knowledge - (douchebaggery + know-it-all-ism)= The Anti-Packer!

As a proud alum of Bill Raftery's Sports Broadcasting Camp (class of 1990), APPROVE!

@mooses_mixup: Is there anyone who shouldn't be allowed to shit down Packer's mouth?
I think not.

@Yinka Double Dare: Well done.
Approve.

INVISIBLE DRINKING HELMET

Approve: If Raf's the guy who does "A DAGGER!", double approve.

He who is tired of Bill Raftery is tired of life.
EARLY ONIONS!!

@Send It In, Jerome!: very very very nice.

I'd say he's second only to Al McGuire, but you know alive.

BRING YOUR LUNCH!
Absolutely approve.

Thanks guys for the link.. it reminds me of NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR UNC
GO HEELS!

God yes. A million times yes. What's even better is that Raf is such a nice and soft-spoken guy in person.
For those who don't: Watch the Final Four on television, but listen to Raf and Harlan call on the radio - it's so much better.

Big East Bill is what we should call him and then he can shit down Packers mouth

The only people who don't like Raftery are Seton Hall alumni, since he only recruited kids who were too slow to play mantaman.

A LITTLE NYLON!
i've never been more Yes than i've been Yes for Bill Raftery. he's pretty much my hero.

My brother was a shcool at Arkansas in the late 80's and became very good friends with Rafftery. I was young, but met him a few times. Really nice guy, they still talk every once in a while even now.

Give it to the big fella!

I heart Bill Raftery.

@blastitbiggs: + 2
Though I prefer the Foo Fighter's version

Honestly, which one of you Fuckers clicked the disapprove button?
"Sean McDonough and Jay Bilas...___ goes *said faster than the english language approves* MAN-TO-MAN!"

@The Legend of Vincent Tremblay: I don't think that stallion will be downgraded from his Spanish stable any time soon.

Are we playing seven degrees of Vitale? If so...
Dick Vitale + little more greasy hair + Erin Andrews cell phone number + fully operational vocal cords - success - Coach K worship + Coach Keady worship -annoying = Steve Lavin

So can we start a petition to get Billy Packer to change his name to Willy or Bilford or Cocksuckerfudge to disassociate himself from Raftery? You know, on principle?

I absolutely approve this man. And let's get this straight he was a SENIOR PGA tour announcer for CBS, which make it that much more awesome.
SPICY AND EARLY ONIONS!

@MattinglysSideburns: Not as long as Ronaldinho is playing in La Liga.

He actually sounds like he is having fun doing the game. And he reminds me of all my drunk Irish uncles. Approve

@SEXY ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: Shut up, Dick Enberg.

Anyone who does not approve of Bill Raftery is a communist and an enemy of freedom.

More like BILL RAFTERFUCK.
/pats self on back

@The Legend of Vincent Tremblay:
Don't you mean equine-crush on Ruud?

Approve just for the sight of him having to wear those hawaiian shirts during the Maui Invitational.

@JimmyChitwood:
I've seen that list - it's 7000 names long. And at number four, you've got "the chick who shot Robert Redford in 'The Natural'".

Big Daddy Drew hit the nail on the head.
Approve.

@Grimey: To be heard tomorrow at 12:05 p.m.:
Sean McDonough, Jay Bilas: Syracuse comes out in a 2-3 zone with MANTAMAN PRINCIPLES!

The Lundquist/Raftery announcing team could easily outdrink all other teams.
Approve.

@A Pimp Named Daver4470:

Vitale - Annoying + North-English Accent + man-crush on Ruud van Nistelroy = Ray Hudson
And since the Jerome in "Send it in, Jerome!" was a Pitt man, I wholeheartedly approve.

Approve. Approve. Approve. He's also on my list of sports personalities that I want to drink with.

@A Pimp Named Daver4470: +1
I still dream of a Gus Johnson/Bill Raftery announcing team one day.

@Grimey: 'Cuse and he sounds a bit dejected.

@Suss--:
Emmitt Smith disunapproves.

Raftery... with the blow-by!
Approved, approved, 1,000 times approved.

Approve...and not just because he's a fellow Explorer.

Eh, just another talking haircut. Screw him.

@UkraineNotWeak: Yes he did, and a slew of Big East games on and off ESPN.

@MattinglysSideburns:
You can get out the salami and cheese, MattinglysSideburns.

MALAPROPISM!!

@Signal to Noise: Wow . . . that would make one hell of a regional finals team.

Best. Hoops. Announcer. Ever.

So this is the guy that Chuck Swirsky stole "Onions!" from?

@Send It In, Jerome!:
Does anyone else remember "Take it to the tin, Jahidi!" from Mr. White's days at G-town?

He gave my great-great Grandmother the clap.
Approve.

Does anybody ever start out a Raftery-announced game in a zone defense?

Yes sir. One of the all-time greats.

@Big Daddy Drew:
Vitale - Annoying = Raftery
Vitale - Knowledge + Tolerable Voice = Gus J
Vitale - Knowledge - Folksy Colloquialisms - Soul - Justification for Existence + Black Heart of Satan + Hatred of All That Is Good And Holy = Billy Packer
Raftery for the win -- with the kiss!

Didn't he at one time also do New Jersey Nets games?

I loved "Baker Street".
Approve.

@Signal to Noise: I think they did on CBS a few weeks back... or maybe that was a wet dream I had.

Who could possibly disapprove of Raftery? The man is a national treasure.
ONIONS!

@UkraineNotWeak: Greatest.WarCry.Ever. Approve.

@What Would Kornheiser Do?: Bill Raftery said the same thing about you.

How can I approve? I don't even know who the fuck this guy is.

Lingerie on the deck!!

ERGONOMIC CAN OF TUNAFISH!

Of Course. Billi Vanilli is no fake. I'll take him any day over "you know who, baby"!

Raftery is what Dick Vitale would be if Dick Vitale wasn't annoying as fuck.

"WITH THE KISS!"
Approve, approve, approve. Why they won't pair him with Gus Johnson...I don't know.

One of the best in the biz.

We got a little nickel-dimer here!

MANTAMAN!!!!!

To the tin!

ONIONS!!!!!

Send it in, Jerome!
/approve, of course.