Courtesy Boston Globe

(November 20, 2009) On recent occasions in this space, we’ve made references to underrated, unsung, and unheralded media personalities, from ESPN’s Ryen Russillo to former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria, who is thriving on WEEI’s “NFL Sunday’’ program.

But there are many more in this market who deserve praise and plaudits for a job well done. Here are a few:

■ Mike Gorman, Comcast SportsNet: OK, longtime Celtics fans probably don’t need a reminder of Gorman’s considerable talents, having had the pleasure of listening to him as the play-by-play voice for nearly three decades. Gorman receives plenty of kudos for being good, but there’s the catch. “Good’’ doesn’t do him justice; he is as good as it gets, and that includes on the national scene. He has almost an instinctive feel for the pace of the game, he deftly sets up lovably combustible partner Tommy Heinsohn while also reining him in, and because he’s spare with the requisite catchphrases (“takes it . . . makes it!’’), they never become obtrusive. Gorman is the finest play-by-play voice in the Boston market, and he has been for years.

■ Dave Goucher and Bob Beers, The Sports Hub: None of the four major sports is more difficult to call than hockey, with its on-the-fly personnel changes and rapid pace. Naturally, it’s even more challenging to describe on radio than television. But Goucher and Beers, in their eighth season as the Bruins’ radio tandem, make it look as smooth as a tape-to-tape pass. Goucher gracefully handles play-by-play, his tone always conveying the proper level of urgency, with Beers interjecting quick insight and analysis seamlessly. Next time you give them a listen, take a moment to consider how easy they make it seem.

■ John Ryder and Jon Rish, WEEI: It would be understandable if listeners had a hard time differentiating between the two. Not only are their names similar, so are their voices. Rish, who has handled in-game updates and pregame and postgame duties on Red Sox broadcasts since 2006, also has proven a steady and capable fill-in alongside Joe Castiglione when Dave O’Brien’s ESPN responsibilities take him away. Ryder, who has been at WEEI since 1998, hosts the “Celtics Rewind’’ postgame show, but his greatest contribution comes as the voice of reason and source of current sports knowledge on “The Planet Mikey Show.’’

■ Mike Giardi, Comcast SportsNet: Giardi still looks the part of a new kid on the Boston sports media scene, and he maintains the enthusiasm of a newcomer. So it might come as a surprise that he’s nearing his 10-year anniversary in the market. After 9 1/2 years as weekend sports anchor and weekend host of “Sports LateNight’’ on New England Cable News, he recently moved to Comcast SportsNew England after Comcast completed its purchase of NECN. With CSN making a high-profile effort to enhance its sports coverage in Boston through both the Internet and television, Giardi has a forum worthy of his talents.

■ Dan Roche, Channel 4: A dependable reporter who breaks his share of news (most recently, he led the pack on the Red Sox’ decision to sign Tim Wakefield to a two-year contract), his affable manner suggests to viewers that he enjoys sports as much as they do.

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