Not Another Quarterback Competition in Cleveland
– by Mario Crescibene
Clevelanders are conditioned to flinch at the words “Quarterback Competition.” It’s a phrase usually reserved for training camp soap operas at Berea or the latest Browns injury report.
But with the NFL playoffs starting and the college postseason in high gear, it’s the perfect time to look at our two TV announcers through a football lens and compare their contrasting styles.
While we all know Hall of Famer Tom Hamilton is the undisputed GOAT of the airways, last season proved we have an embarrassment of riches on the TV side as well. The Guardians have two great commentators for the TV broadcast in Matt Underwood and Al Pawlowski. In the booth, the sportscaster doing play-by-play is the undisputed “quarterback” of the broadcast. They don’t just call the action; they manage the clock, set the tempo, and decide who gets the “rock.” But in the Guardians’ broadcast booth, having two high-caliber options isn’t a quarterback controversy—it’s a luxury.
Last season, Al Pawlowski stepped in for Matt Underwood for a significant stretch, putting his own broadcasting prowess on full display. It showed that the Guardians’ play-by-play depth chart is deep, and the contrasting styles of Underwood and Pawlowski kept a long season of baseball feeling constantly fresh. So let’s dive into this analogy and dissect the unique style of play each brings to the booth.
Matt Underwood: The Mobile Starter
Underwood is our mobile starter. He’s the guy who can extend a play and thrive in the chaos of a three-man booth. His style is fluid, comedic, and conversational, rarely sticking to a rigid script. Underwood is at his best when he’s “distributing the ball” to his playmakers. He’ll pitch it to Andre Knott for on-field insights, throw it to Rick Manning for some veteran analysis, or initiate a triple-option of banter that ends with all three of them laughing as a home run clears the wall. It’s improvisational, it’s light, and it makes a Tuesday night broadcast in July feel more like you’re hanging with your friends at the ballpark rather than just lounging on your couch at home.
Al Pawlowski: The Traditional Pocket Passer
Then you have Al Pawlowski, who steps in like a veteran backup with a cannon for an arm. If Underwood is the scrambler, Al is the pure pocket passer. He brings an authoritative, “big-game” cadence that reminds you of voices like Paul Keels. There’s a certain deliberate poise to Al’s delivery. He treats the broadcast with a polished, broadcast-first structure that ensures you never miss a beat of the action. When the game gets tight, he leans into the rhythm of the play, letting the stadium noise breathe before delivering a high-velocity call that hits home with his resonant baritone. It’s a more traditional approach that commands your attention from the first pitch to the final out.
The Verdict
In a grueling 162-game season, announcer depth is just as vital as roster depth. Having Al as a “change of pace” doesn’t just keep the broadcast fresh for the viewers; it allows Underwood to stay sharp for the long haul as well. We’re lucky to have a consistent starter, and a reliable backup, where each guy under center brings a different way to win. That’s a whole lot more than the Browns can say!
So, when you’re tuning in to watch the game, who do you prefer? Do you like the free-wheeling flow of Underwood, or the classic, steady hand of Pawlowski? Or do you enjoy the dynamic versatility of having both styles on the roster? Let me know in the comments below.
