Budding Controversy

Do we have a clear cut case of plagiarism? Do 2 play by play guys, who have come together under 1 umbrella, have issues with a catch phrase? Could this be the reason for the apparent tension in the booth for these 2 guys?

Lets introduce the players..in this corner we have Joe Castiglione. Joe Castig has been with the Red Sox announcing team since 1983. He started his reign under legend Ken Coleman, was known for being stuck in the losing locker room in game 6 of the 1986 World Series and finally took the lead play by play job in 1991. Joe has been that classic baseball announcer of the Jack Buck, Red Barber and Mel Allen eras, and New England has fallen in love with his style. Joe finally got to taste victory in 2001 when the Boston Red Sox finally broke the Curse, beating the St. Louis Cardinals. Who could forget Joe's call of that game. He repeated the phrase in 2007.

In the other corner, fellow Mainer, Bowdoin College alum Dale Arnold. Dale cut his play by play teeth right here in Portland Maine, doing Maine Mariners games with Frank Fixaris until 1989. Dale then went to New Jersey to call New Jersey Devils hockey games. In 1991 he returned to his native region, Boston, on what turned into WEEI Sports Talk Radio. Dale went on to do New England Patriots Football, Boston Celtics Basketball and finally ended his run as Boston Bruins announcer last year on NESN. Dale has come back to baseball, filling in for Dave O'Brian on the Red Sox WRKO Radio Network with Joe Castiglione.

Here is where the controversey enters. Again, Joe Castiglione has made hay recently with his catch phrase "Can you believe it"...I introduce a soundbite from the 1984 Calder Cup Finals, The Rochester Americans vs the Maine Mariners, broadcast on WGAN radio and WGME TV with aforementioned Frank Fixaris. Please pay particular attention to the last few seconds of Dale Arnold's call of the improbable Maine Mariner victory.

Please listen to Joe Castiglione's calls of the 2004 and 2007 World Series wins and then listen to Dale Arnold's call of the 1984 Calder Cup Finals. As they used to say on NBC....You be the judge?!?