For a long time, I’ve been fascinated by Trent Baalke’s voice. You know what I’m talking about. The 49ers’ GM talks like no one we’ve ever heard. Because I am a writer I try to put into words what Baalke’s voice sounds like to me. I find this difficult but I walk around the house trying.
Baalke’s voice sounds like tires on gravel.
Baalke sounds like one of those made men in “Goodfellas,” but not one of the top echelon guys.
I know those descriptions are inadequate but I keep trying.
I am not making fun of Baalke. This is not a judgement of his voice, merely a description. He’s an important sports figure around here and he could become way more important. He is a character in my writing and I try to do justice to him with my words. I love his voice but I’m not good at describing it — although it implies to me he is a straight-ahead guy, a man without pretensions, an honest guy, someone who does not try to fool you with flash over substance.
Have you noticed Baalke’s interesting voice?
Can you help me describe it?
To hear Baalke talk click here.
Michael
Lowell -
I have thought the same thing. For those “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fans out there — Baalke sounds EXACTLY like the character, “Marty Funkhouser” — who is constantly harassing Larry David.
Check it out.
May 15th, 2011 10:26 am
Guillermo
If you want people to know about his voice, how about just linking them to a YouTube video of him talking
May 15th, 2011 10:28 am
CohnZohn
Great idea, Guillermo. I just put up the link. Thank you.
May 15th, 2011 10:36 am
CohnZohn
Michael, Grant and I just listened on YouTube to Marty Funkhouser telling the liver joke. You’re right. He sounds exactly like Baalke.
May 15th, 2011 10:44 am
Tom Pierce
Super Dave Osbourn dead on…now if we could just get Mr. Balke to wear a jumpsuit with a big “T” on the front of it to his next press conference.
May 15th, 2011 10:44 am
Stan
Ok,off topic but -the A’s lineup..Daric,Landon,Trevor,Conor..just pure Yuppie Mom name heaven. Then you got’s your Codys,Chase’s,Dallas’s.
I knew that day -about ten years too(100% true story) when I was at the Oakland zoo..and ALL I heard for a few hours was every Oakland hills yuppie mother calling out “Cody!” and “Conor!”..that this awful future would result.
Hey,you notice Lowell too,that all the girls names in rock songs from back in the day..are gone too? I never hear a Rhonda being called for help,nor Wendy,or Betty Sue. Everybody’s Britany or Krista. All of em.
Cant even find a young Donna.
May 15th, 2011 12:07 pm
Stan
Damn,not a Boog Powell type name in baseball today.
May 15th, 2011 12:10 pm
amir
Super Dave, with a little bit of Mike Ditka, and just a dash of Autobot.
May 15th, 2011 12:13 pm
eb
Super Dave, spot on.
May 15th, 2011 12:18 pm
dennypat
This may soun strange but can everyone remember how they sounded when they had a cold and was loosing their voice?
.
That’s how he sounds to me……like he is loosing his voice.
.
May 15th, 2011 12:42 pm
Paul NorthernCal
My take on the general manager’s voice: he has a semi-raspy voice, similar to a person who’s recovered from a bad cold, that he had 3 days ago or has a hoarse delivery due to screaming instructions as a coach, in one too many games. His tone is not deep, warm, nor clear, but a certainty of conviction emanates from it. His voice doesn’t want for confidence; whether it is misplaced, is another matter.
May 15th, 2011 12:59 pm
Weenie Niner Fan
Looks like Super Dave, walks like Super Dave, talks like Super
Dave but doesn’t have Super Dave’s sense of humor; although
that CB he drafted in the third round is pretty funny in a sick
kind of way.
May 15th, 2011 3:10 pm
wolff1
Baalke is a slow talker, that way he sounds a little retarded to me, I don’t know if he can speak fast though. That’s not important, what is more, is his actions, for now the jury is on.
May 15th, 2011 3:30 pm
Neal
It might of be from a medical condition, back in the 90′s, one of my vocal cords was paralyzed for 6 months from a virus, to this day my voice sounds a little hoarse, actually went to a ear nose and throat Dr last week, for another issue and he could tell right it was from that issue, although Balke voice is pretty unique.
May 15th, 2011 5:10 pm
Mark M
tough time of year, I suppose, with yet another year where the Warriors have disappeared from our consciousness.
May 15th, 2011 9:50 pm
Neal
I hope someday you can write he is amazing GM instead of his voice.
May 16th, 2011 8:18 am
Erick Seglem
What’s a GM’s voice supposed to sound like?
May 16th, 2011 8:53 am
Blind Tom
Drill sergeant’s voice, pure and simple. Guy is straight off Paris Island…
May 16th, 2011 10:59 am
Harry
Great insight Lowell. His voice reminds me of someone who did either too much smoking or too much strong stuff like caffeine, which dries up the throat. Probably an indication that this guys is a workaholic(in early, leave late), he needs to to rely on external stimulant to keep him going.
In my opinion, probably good for a GM, but not very good for a father /husband.
May 16th, 2011 3:28 pm
Winston Wolf
LOL! Yep! Superdave to a T.
May 16th, 2011 4:54 pm