Seriously, what’s not to like about Joe Buck?

Joe Buck drinking while calling games is too good.

This is the online version of our morning newsletter, The Morning WinSubscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. 

A few years ago I went on record when I wrote about how Joe Buck is the GOAT of announcing. Lots of people predictably reached out to me on various social media sites to tell me how stupid I was for feeling that way and how bad they thought Buck was at doing his job.

Lots of people think Buck doesn’t like their team, which is just silly and wrong. Lots of people think he got his job because of his dad, which is silly and wrong (Fox Sports simply wouldn’t keep him around if he wasn’t good, no matter who his dad was). And lots of people think he doesn’t get excited enough while calling games, which is also silly and wrong.

This week we have learned something new about Buck and it’s something that I think should win more people over – he told Colin Cowherd that he used to sip on tall beers while calling baseball games and he and Troy Aikman used to enjoy some cocktails while calling football games.

Now can you honestly tell my you still hate Joe Buck? Come on, be honest. You like him a little more now, right? It’s OK to admit it. You’re safe here.

Buck said he used to have an assistant run down and get him the biggest beers they served at baseball stadiums and then he’d sip on it throughout the game because that would remind him that he’s at a sporting event and that he shouldn’t take things too seriously. He also said Aikman was a little more fancy so they had some tequila drinks, though Buck added they haven’t done that in a while.

I don’t know if you’ve ever listened to the interviews that Buck has done with Howard Stern in recent years but if you have then you know he’s pretty laid back and likes to have fun, just like the rest of us. He even said he likes to text with buddies while calling Super Bowls because it makes the moment feel more normal.

He’s just like us!

Buck likes to have fun, have a few pops, and call a big game. Plus he’s really good at calling those games. It’s time to finally put the Joe Buck hate aside and go all in on liking Joe Buck.

It will make your sports viewing that much more enjoyable.

Trust me.

Quick hits: Adam Sandler goes all Happy Gilmore… Ryan Leaf’s powerful plea to the NFL … Hopkins recruiting Watt… And more.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

– Adam Sandler celebrated the 25th anniversary of Happy Gilmore by crushing a Happy Gilmore drive on a sweet golf course.

– You need to watch Ryan Leaf’s tearful plea to the NFL.

– DeAndre Hopkins really wants J.J. Watt to join him in Arizona.

– Cam Newton has spent a ton of money on clothes that he’s only worn once.

– Alexis Ohanian made a fantastic statement with his shirt at Serena Williams’ Australian Open win.