He also shares the MLB record of 99 consecutive errorless games at third base with Jeff Cirillo and has a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins for the 1997 season. They'll stand the test of time.'" It's live. Went to Indiana University. His nickname is "Rock". The Pirates picked up his $14.75 million 2018 option and then traded him to the Giants, continuing a grim franchise pattern but at least netting a building block in Reynolds. It's not easy to give up home runs (at that pace). He spent 10 years with the Pirates as a player, and then after promptly moving into the booth, he will be in his 27th season behind a mic. His conversations with Bills fans after the game on his call-in show were also memorable. So, what gives with the major league-leading 41 steals? Or perhaps this clip from when the Pirates ended up clinching a playoff berth, the teams first since 1992. Not only did Brown catch Wakefield, he also stepped on the mound once to throw to Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Prince. "Just the fun that he had. He was a late inning replacement. More recently, the Pirates had one of my personal favorites, Tim Neverett, who served for a comparatively brief term, being with the Bucs between 2009 and 2015 before departing for the Boston Red Sox. Learn how and when to remove this template message, he was hired to serve as play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Pirates broadcasters and media, https://web.archive.org/web/20131008055009/http://joeblock.com/bio.html, http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111223&content_id=26230806&c_id=mil, http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id=mil, http://m.pirates.mlb.com/news/article/163247532/pirates-hire-broadcaster-joe-block, Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories, Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series home run, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joe_Block&oldid=1145123718, College basketball announcers in the United States, National Basketball Association broadcasters, Articles lacking reliable references from February 2013, BLP articles lacking sources from February 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 17 March 2023, at 12:00. WebPirates Broadcaster John Wehner The Fan Morning Show 11:40 Play Audio Add to Playlist ShareReport 144Listens THE ROCK joins us for one of the final times of the John Wehner after Derek Dietrich ", "There's times you throw a fastball down the middle and it's popped up to center field. For 11 years as a player, nine with the Pirates, and 15 as one of the Bucs I would run down the steps, find out what they needed, run back up, like a runner." After the Bills fell behind 35-3 to Houston, many fans headed for the exits. Brown told what happened as he listened to the tape: "It's a Cincinnati Reds game with Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall calling a playoff game and somehow they win it on a walk-off home run. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Brown vividly recalled listening to Weber's call of the Bisons' ninth inning comeback attempt and said it was "one of the greatest games in the history of sports, let alone minor league baseball. But he was also an engaging personality. All my family and friends are big Bucco fans. It was one of those moments. The job led to even more broadcast related opportunities. When Jerry Springer retired from "Judge Jerry" a year ago after 40 years on TV, he told me he had "a great life, it's a life of no regrets." And I said I just don't want to get all caught up in that. Brown eventually decided to take the job and was the Bills radio color analyst for the next three seasons.Thanks to his new job with the Bills, Brown had the opportunity to work with another broadcast legend, Van Miller. Even though he left the Queen City 26 years ago to work for the Pirates, it's still apparent his time in Buffalo had a big impact on him.Brown grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, about three hours east of Pittsburgh. Pirates Broadcaster John Wehner | Audio Length: 11:40 - Vurbl John Wehner, a current broadcaster and long-tenured member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, has seen just about everything, but even he couldnt prepare for a season like 2020. "The people in the front office realized that I wanted to become a broadcaster," Brown said. The only thing more far-fetched than me being a Major League Baseball player is me being a broadcaster, he said. Gambling Problem? "The guy that called me said 'I've got good news and bad news. Hed talk to anybody and everybody. 4 Philadelphia and No. This article is written by Brian Frank of HerdChronicles.com, a website dedicated to some of the many great stories from the storied history of the Buffalo Bisons. Block is a Michigan native, but he had family ties to the Pittsburgh region. For some, it will also bother them. Brown has become a favorite for many, in part by virtue of being such a mainstay with Pittsburgh only Prince and Frattare were around longer. But safety Matt Darby intercepted Aikman at the goal line with just 12 seconds remaining to seal a Bills victory. He then went to Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Twp, MI. Sure enough it did, and so that moment stands out for me. published 1 May 2023. Every game of the 2021 spring schedule is set to be covered by one of the teams official broadcast partners. "I tried out for the mascot and ended up coming in second place," Brown recalled. You think about his rsum. I thought that would be easier to say." And he said 'Get on the mound in the bullpen' and I remember him catching me. If the Bisons were home, I would be at Fredonia during the day and I would drive to Pilot Field and do games at night, so I would broadcast home games but not road games." "While he had to make this big career decision, another enticing opportunity presented itself. He was called up in 1991. Boston is No. John Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It could be true that his personality is just geared that way, and thats okay, but it is something fans will notice. Not unless you consider 37-year-old first baseman Carlos Santana a speed merchant. He also saw a potential opportunity for himself: "I put a tape together for these guys to come in and audition. Tom Prince would always get on me saying how easy I thought it looked. Five years later and McCutchen is back, on a one-year deal that puts him directly behind Reynolds in the batting order. By the time he heard there was an opening for a Pirates broadcaster, he was told the team was finished with tryouts. ', screaming. "His most memorable moment broadcasting Pirates games came courtesy of a former Bison. John Wehner Has Expressed Interest In Becoming The Pirates Is John Wehner still a pirate broadcaster? chroniclesdengen.com Reynolds extension got the Pirates off a rather ignoble list now only the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and Oakland As havent signed a player to a nine-figure deal, even if the Pirates needed every penny of Reynolds deal to do so. In First Call Friday, Reds fans attack John Wehner. He grew up in a bad part of Pittsburgh. He was so much fun and Greg Tubbs, what a great guy he was Dorn Taylor was so much fun, and Rick Reed and Mike York." I was doing sports talk at night. And we laughed because he didn't hit home runs." So that made it easy for me to feel like I was to a degree already in the major leagues." Wehners response? The epic game went 18 innings before the Sounds finally prevailed by a score of 9-8.Brown also reminisced about Game 4 of Buffalo's five game playoff series with Denver in 1991, when the Bisons staged a furious comeback after trailing 9-0 and being no-hit for eight innings. 2020 will be/would have been Blocks fifth season with the team, but he still hasnt quite endeared himself to fans. It's what you feel. As of late, however, the Pirates booth has received low marks from a slew of online evaluators (whether or not theyre qualified to judge them is another story). They Refused to Fight for Russia. WebJohn Wehner was used to living out of a suitcase six months each year from March to October. He was a utility guy. Johnny Cueto dropped the ball on the mound; two more playoff appearances followed. In '90, '91, '92, they won the division, so they were drawing well then. The game will be broadcast on the Pirates Flagship radio station 93.7 The Fan and across the 38-station Pirates Radio Network. like, are you out of your mind?" Also an avid Softball player Joe once played for the Ashers Market 1996 Championship team in nearby Mt Clemens, once lacing a game altering triple off of the defending champ Yankees team. 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. PART OF AUDACY SPORTS. Wehner doesn't feel like a completely healthy team means rookie shortstop Cole Tucker, called up from Indianapolis on Saturday, will go back down to the minors. On many nights we would outdraw Pittsburgh. He had a smile on his face. The Pirates wish to thank John Mehno and Tim DeBacco for their work on the All-Time Broadcasting List. Brown eventually decided that his best route to his dream of calling big league games was to take the Bisons job over the sports director's job or remaining with the Pirates. Brown continued, "He has a great story. "An incredible broadcasting journey that began the day Mike Lange handed off the mic at Three Rivers Stadium, has taken him through some of the most memorable moments of the Bisons modern era, the Bills Super Bowl seasons, and a long career calling games for his favorite childhood team. Heineman was acquired in 2022 to aid the depleting catching depth. Cincinnati Reds infielder Derek Dietrich is on an incredible hot streak, and Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster John Wehner doesnt appreciate the way hes handling it. Then I go up to Buffalo one year after they had opened up Pilot Field, and a million people was a regular occurrence. Former Pittsburgh Pirate and current team broadcaster John The Rock Wehner credits good fortune for his baseball career. Hear what he says are the storylines he is still following at this point and his Steelers takes, too. John Wehner Brown's suggestion was shot down at the time, but the idea returned years later. And it's just mayhem and spontaneous joy. The incredible moment came in front of a full house in the final Pirates game at Three Rivers Stadium. Wehner talked about the emotion of playing the final game at the stadium where he grew up watching the Pirates. [Richard] Rodriguez isn't getting as much swing and miss, that's the only thing about him that I scratch my head a little bit. The comeback game. Bucco broadcaster Wehner talks baseball, life - The Duquesne Duke The first televised game is set to be the Pirates Grapefruit League Home Opener on Tuesday, March 2 vs the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 p.m. WebIn comments during a Tuesday morning radio show appearance, Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster John Wehner went after Reds infielder Derek Dietrich for what Wehner How about when the Pirates win 'Hoist the Jolly Roger.' He added, "His preparation, his memory, which you know I can only strive to be as prepared as Pete. Brown remembered listening to Weber's radio call from his Delaware Avenue apartment, "because I was on the Bills beat, so when the Bills started up in Fredonia, I was there every day. Most times you go from the minors to the majors. Walk offers some genuine insight into the game, but his value comes more from his rapport with Greg Brown, with both having done this part of the job for the same amount of time. Perhaps the most notable thing worth mentioning from the Brown compilation is the sheer (and true) joy and excitement he experiences during the Bucs biggest moments a trait that has endeared him to many Pirate fans. Because of injury he went back and forth between the major and minor leagues before being picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996. Now that its resolved, we know that its one less thing on his plate and hes a part of that core group going forward, says Bednar. "I would stand in the back of the broadcast booth, and any time Mike or Steve needed anything at all, a drink of water, a Coke, a scoring decision, anything, I was at the ready. "I'm not going to say the Pirates are a favorite but right now I'm gonna say I like the Pirates chances.". There are four of the nations top six television markets No. Lange meant that Brown would finally get a chance to call his first big league game. The somewhat errant throw is fielded in Jeter-esque style by Justin Morneau and then relayed to Russell Martin at home, who then tags out Nate Schierholtz. "I still believe [Keone] Kela is elite and can set up. Now, Bednar is the Pirates' All-Star closer and a bit in disbelief hes battling alongside the player who brought Pittsburgh baseball back from oblivion. Now its on! Brown and Block will handle the play-by-play duties, Walk and Wehner will serve as the primary analysts, with Capps, McKenry and Young joining the broadcasts on a rotational basis. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Broadcasters | Pittsburgh Pirates - MLB I still have faith in those four guys (Vazquez, Kela, Crick, Rodriguez) they've had a couple hiccups and as a reliever it's easy to have some bad luck. His tenure with the Bucs has made him a broadcast legend in Pittsburgh, earning him the same status as the great broadcasters who have influenced him throughout his incredible career. But then he went to Giant Eagle and ran into announcer Bob Walks son. It seems as though, despite the moment, Block has trouble mustering excitement. An area hospital dressed all newborns in Pirates onesies. My point is don't ever lose that passion. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. After the game he received a call from an Indiana University scout with a scholarship. John Wehner - Wikiwand PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan)- Through 20 games of the 2019 season, the Pirates have battled injuries, blown late-game leads, won games late, have gotten excellent starting pitchingand have had multiple players make their Major League debuts. John Wehner is going to hit a home run that's going to give the Pirates the lead in the last game ever at Three Rivers Stadium? Brown responded, "I assume because Van probably didn't like me stepping on him." Mike Billoni (vice president/general manager of the Bisons at the time), I think Bucz (Mike Buczkowski, who was Bisons public relations manager at the time and is currently president, Rich Baseball Operations and vice president and general manager of the Bisons), and John Dandes (who was vice president/general manager of stadium services at the time) might have also come down to see the parent club and how they were operating," Brown said. Possibly most known for High School classmate Zach Lange coming to one of Paul Opalewski's epic bashes and in hot pursuit shouting out the now infamous line "Which one's Joe"? The crew will be joined this year by several Pirates alumni serving as analysts and bringing their unique perspectives to each game. Now, I left in '89, and that's when Pittsburgh started to pick up. It's guttural. After a successful collegiate career at Indiana University, he was drafted by his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round So it went from just an idea back in the early '80s to what it's become now. Starter Mitch Keller is nearing the ace status the club once envisioned for him, and will have two more years of control after this one. Wehner doesn't expect that the Brewers can hold on, and both the Cardinals and Cubs have injury issues. Coincidentally, Andy Rush, Somerset Hospital chief operating officer, also played in that game and brought a team photo for Wehner to sign. David Bednar was born in Pittsburgh and was a Mars Area High School senior when the Pirates broke a two-decade playoff drought and advanced to the 2013 NL Division Series. You hear Marty Brennaman's call, but you also hear Joe Nuxhall, the color analyst call over him 'Yeah! Block previously worked with veteran broadcaster and former Major League Baseball catcher Bob Uecker. Without question." He noted that working with the Pirates Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo helped him ease his transition back to the big leagues: "I was very comfortable when I got the job here because the Pirates had gone through a transition. Its just that Santanas three steals in his 26 games exceeds his total for 349 games between 2020-2022. He is known for hitting the final home run (in the bottom of the 5th), and also grounding into the final out in the history of Three Rivers Stadium, both on 10-1-2000. Brown remembers Miller having a similar influence on him as Pete Weber had, "but in a different way." Let me know! Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Going back to 2012 Bleacher Report ranked the Bucs broadcast team at 28th. "I remember saying goodbye to Jay Bell, when he got the call to go back to the big leagues. I dont know how the rest of the fanbase feels about Wehner I dont keep my finger on the pulse in that regard, but I think he is nothing short of bad. This is sports. Its cool to see the buzz around it is definitely back.. Maggi gets 1st big league hit, RBI after 13 years in minors, Gray throws 6 strong innings, Nationals beat Pirates 7-2, Maggi gets 1st big league hits, Pirates sweep Nats 6-3, 16-1. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Front-page story, big black skull and crossbones, Jolly Rogers waiving everywhere. I remember being there when he took the shuttle to the airport. Neverett replaced Dave O'Brien who switched over to TV for the Red Sox after Don Orsillo left the team to join the San Diego Padres. In 2019, Awful Announcing ranked the crew 29th, dropping from their spot of 24 in 2018. Can that continue? Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: 11 players being overlooked in too many leagues. Radio: KQV -- Jimmy Murray; WWSW -- Walter E . WebIs John Wehner still a pirate broadcaster? "He was from Cincinnati," Brown said of Finney. He said Miller demonstrated that broadcasting sports should be fun. "It was from John Wehner." WebThe 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates season will be the franchise's 142nd season overall, 137th season as a member of the National League, and 23rd season at PNC Park.Before the season, Andrew McCutchen came back to the team via free agency. In 2005 he began working as a color commentator for AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and the Pirates Radio Network.[3]. Although he didn't get the mascot job, the tryout led to other opportunities. I think I made it a point at like at 5:30 in the morning to be there to shake his hand." Mike Lange became the play-by-play announcer and former Pirate hurler Steve Blass was chosen to be the color analyst, while Brown became the pre- and post-game host, as well as an in-game reporter. "Assistant promotions director, I did my goodness, truly everything imaginable. Brown helped coordinate the search. Pittsburgh Pirates broadcasters and media, Baseball's Last Hero: 21 Clemente Stories, Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series home run, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Wehner&oldid=1109117982, American expatriate baseball players in Canada, American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Hit the final home run and grounded into the final out in, Tied for MLB record 99 consecutive games without an error at 3rd base, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 8 September 2022, at 02:03. Jerry Springer, Cincinnati politician turned daytime 'ringmaster,' dies at 79. At that moment in time I said to myself 'Is this really happening? / CBS Pittsburgh. His success has angered Pirates broadcaster John Wehner, who voiced his complaints Tuesday on Pittsburghs 93.7 The Fan Morning Show. I understand that Wehner is a nice, likable guy, but his banter doesnt get the job done. "My Mount Rushmore of mentors would be Pete Weber, Van Miller, Mike Lange, and Lanny Frattare," Brown said. ", By the way, if you run into John make sure you ask about his latest mock draft. Block served as a post-game host for the Los Angeles Dodgers on the radio. I feel happy Im going to be here for a long time. He played for Pittsburgh for 9 of his 11 Major League seasons between 1991-2001. And hopefully theres a lot of winning to be done in Pittsburgh., This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pirates' NL-best start to 2023 has Pittsburgh charting new course, eight-year, $100 million contract extension, Bet $10 and get $100+ in bonus wagers with our link at BetMGM, changed its rules to encourage stolen bases, Full list of every baseball team from highest to lowest, Database of every player on anopening day roster, Pirates' NL-best start to 2023 has Pittsburgh charting new course, Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, E. Jean Carroll resumes testimony in Trump rape trial after mistrial denied, Michael J. With impeccable timing: The Pirates 82% success rate reflects a sound exploitation of the larger bases and the limit on disengagements from the pitching rubber. And as the decades passed, the math did not add up: Major League Baseball hurtled toward $11 billion in annual revenues, yet the Pirates largest financial commitment remained the six-year, $60 million deal given catcher Jason Kendall in 2000. Calls like that will stand forever. For the complete Pirates Spring Training broadcast schedule please visit pirates.com/broadcast. WebJohn Paul Wehner (pronounced "Waner") (born June 29, 1967 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former utility player in Major League Baseball and a current broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Pirates. I spun records during the games initially. So his story in itself is spectacular." He was always ahead of his time We had a wireless microphone and headset, and at times I would travel around the ballpark and he had me go down by the dugout. This is unbelievable when you think about it. Not only was I not educated, but I had the worst Pittsburghese you would ever hear.. The list of alumni includes former Pirates pitcher Matt Capps; former Pirates catcher and current AT&T SportsNet analyst Michael McKenry; and former Pirates first baseman Kevin Young. They said it was a gigantic tailgate party. [2] He was in the Pirates' organization, splitting his time between MLB and their minor league affiliates, through the 1996 season. He also noted the professionalism demonstrated by the Bisons ownership and front office: "For me it was easy to have fun when the Bisons held themselves to such a high standard. For the next 10 seasons, Brown worked in the Pirates' sales, public relations, and broadcast departments. I can remember looking into the dugout and seeing the exhaustion on the faces of the players. Right-hander Vince Velasquez, signed for a $3.15 million flyer this winter, has a 3.06 ERA through six starts, nearly two runs better than his 4.93 career mark entering the season. The Law Did Not Treat Them Kindly. John Wehner His big break came during a doubleheader at Three Rivers Stadium.