Every generation has its soundtrack. I started with McLaren and then we moved on. In other sports there were Walker, Coleman, Maskell, O'Sullevan etc all absolutely synonymous with their sports. Carpenter in boxing, Blowers and Johnners in cricket "For goodness sake Aggers, stop it" and corpsing in the infamous couldn't quite get his leg over episode, Motson in football, Davies in football and other sports "Where were the Germans? And frankly who cares". As for Murray Walker the commentators today are doubtless far more accurate, but Walker's character, enthusiasm and a whole raft of quotes remain engrained in the memory while others come and go.
Most of the commentators today are very competent in describing the action and they have, and use, shedloads more data. They don't generally though bring the sense of the theatre / poetry that adds to the occasion and you remember years on. Butler was probably a bit of an exception. As was Ian Robertson who's also of a previous generation now. "Back for Johnny Wilkinson who drops for World Cup glory….it's over, he's done it!".
We've just celebrated the 50th anniversary of 'that' try where the Cliff Morgan commentary is a big part of the legend. We may well see its like again, and in reality there have been plenty of tries that good, but we definitely won't hear its like again.
Guess it's all down to personal preference. Personally I prefer a bit of mad giraffe and props as cunning as a bag o' weasels to incessant stats, but time moves on. Butler, Robertson and McLaren were also blessed with rich speaking tones which made them almost more performer than message deliverer. It's not just what's said, but how it's said.
Just another missive from Fings ain't what they used to be HQ.