Gus Johnson and CBS part ways

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated broke the story today that Gus Johnson, the man who has made some of the most memorable calls of March Madness, and CBS have “parted ways.”

Johnson has been with CBS since 1995 doing college basketball and has become synonymous with the men’s tournament. His unique style has gained him quite a following of young and old sports fans over the past few years, especially with the invention of a “Gus Johnson soundboard” a few years ago. (Links to the Gus Johnson soundboard were dead as of this evening)

Johnson and CBS couldn’t reach a deal and Johnson’s marketing agent declined comment according to Deitsch’s report on SI.com (Check it out here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/richard_deitsch/05/05/gusjohnson.cbs/index.html).

I’m sure there are some who would argue that March Madness without Gus would be akin to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without either the peanut butter or the jelly. But I’m going to counter that argument, and I believe that Cincinnatians would appreciate my analysis.

Joe Nuxhall, the former Reds radio color commentator, and long-time partner of Marty Brennaman—current Reds radio play-by-play man and Ford C. Frick award winner—died on November 15, 2007. I remember because it was my birthday.

Listening to the Reds on the radio when Marty and Joe teamed up was a thing of beauty. It was simply amazing to hear the chemistry they had. Sure, I may have been a Marlins fan, but I enjoyed listening to the Reds.

‘One day,’ I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to be like Marty and Joe.’

Ever since Joe passed away, we’ve all wanted to hear his voice saying the same thing he always said when he signed off, “This is the Ol’ Lefthander, rounding third and heading for home,” just one more time.

Marty has stayed in the booth because he loves it, and he’s really darn good at his job. I’m not going to argue with a baseball Hall of Famer with Marty’s experience behind the microphone. Over the past three seasons he’s been teamed with a number of folks including former Reds pitcher Jeff “Cowboy” Brantley.

No one, hear me, no one, will ever replace Joe Nuxhall, or, when his time comes (and I hope it’s a long time from now) Marty Brennaman. However, Reds games aren’t completely dull on the radio.

Sure they’re different, but the NCAA tournament will live on without Gus Johnson’s signature screams and calls on CBS. They might not be as much fun to watch without the Gus Johnson soundtrack, but they’ll still be good.

It’s hard to believe we’ve gone through three years without hearing Joe Nuxhall on the radio. I distinctly remember receiving a text the morning after he died from my good friend (and occasional co-blogger) Jake Meyer stating, “I feel like I lost my grandpa.”

We all felt that way in Cincinnati on that day.

And while this is nothing like losing Joe, Gus Johnson and CBS will both be fine. Sure it’ll be different, but we’ve survived in Cincinnati with different. And you know we’re always 20 years behind here.