Let's all give Rod Allen some love. Yes, he has flaws, but Rod does a consistent and entertaining job behind the mic. When you talk about the same subject for two and half to three hours a day, 150+ times a year you need to have a basket of go-to phrases you can pull out on the fly. These phrases have been well documented in the many incarnations of the famed Rod Allen drinking game, Rogo's bingo game, and this soundboard (my personal favorite).
But which Rodism is at the top of the heap? I suppose there are many ways to look at it. Some may say his player specific phrases like "Country Strong" for Marcus Thames and "Sneaky Power" for Ramon Santiago are the best. Others might say his go-to analysis phrases like "draw a line down the middle of his body" or "one step and a dive" are the quintessential Rodisms.
For this ranking we are going to look at what phrase Rod would use for the most excellent plays. That is, the phrase Rod would drop after the most amazing play would be the number one ranking. Let's take a look.
10. Hit (or fire) a seed
I'm not sure quite sure on the etymology of this idiom. Is a hard hit ball "a seed" because it looks small quickly like a seed is small? Is it a seed because people used to throw seeds to plant them? Does it come from something more biblical like...well...sowing your wild oats? Forget I asked.
Hitting or firing a seed is so low on this list because it has limited application. He might use it for cutting down a runner at a base or at the plate or maybe a strong extra base hit, but rarely, if ever, for a home run.
9. Nasty
Nasty is a word to describe pitches. Usually pitches with an extreme amount of break. Rod delivers the word with passion, but it too has limited application.
8. Gettin' busy
Gettin' busy is certainly a strong compliment, but it is a compliment for a series of good plays or hits, not one amazing play.
7. Filthy
See above: Nasty. Again, limited application, but a bit more strong than nasty. Probably used more often in terms of a pitcher on a hot streak than a specific pitch.
6. Come on
We are now getting into the fake exasperation portion of the rankings. A very impressive play might elicit a "come on."
5. Stop it
Often used in conjunction with "come on." When Rod tells a player to "stop it" it actually means he enjoys the behavior and wants it to continue.
4. Look out!
Not quite sure what the subject of this imperative is supposed to be looking out for. Maybe the congratulations he's going to receive? Kendrys Morales wishes Rod would have told him to "look out."
3. Oh no he didn't!
Only said when, yes, in fact he did.
2. I see ya!!
This is a quintessential Rodism. Being seen by Rod is a significant achievement. Have you seen his glasses? It's pretty clear he can't see everything.
1. OH [player name]!!!!
The most famous expression of this phrase has to be the "OH JACKSON!!!" that was exclaimed when Austin made his amazing catch to preserve Armando Galarraga's landmark complete game one-hit shutout.