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. 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. They said it was a gigantic tailgate party. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Carrick High School, Wehner was drafted out of Indiana University by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1988 MLB draft and made his MLB debut on July 17, 1991. The comeback game. WebJohn Wehner Net Worth. This was Pete Weber, all his doing. I understand that Wehner is a nice, likable guy, but his banter doesnt get the job done. "I think that having a healthy Taillon with Cole and Nova when all 3 take the mound you feel like your gonna win that game," Wehner said. All other remaining Pirates Grapefruit League games can be heard via webcast at pirates.com with mobile tune-in available via the MLB app. John Wehner Has Expressed Interest In Becoming The Pirates He rejoined the Pirates in 1999. Problems for a few former Pirates. Van would actually go up on the desk and he'd be reaching down and start high fiving people. The voice of the broadcaster breaks up the low crowd murmur on a hot August afternoon. These are my subjective opinions about the broadcast team, but I would be interested in hearing what the fanbase outside of me thinks. Pirates Preview: Can Oviedo & Bucs maintain momentum and earn the sweep? And still other moments, like Josh Harrisons insane rundown evasion tactics against the Mets, and the how could any of us forget moment, when Johnny Cueto dropped the ball in the National League Wild Card game, which was then promptly met with a smattering of chants and a long Martin drive for a home run. 1 New York, No. The Bisons were about to enter their second season as a Pirates affiliate. He loved his job. I get tweets and texts and pictures from people in every part of the world, showing them raising the Jolly Roger. Wehner hit a two-run home run to give the Pirates the lead in the fifth inning. Wehner, the last person to hit a home run at Three Rivers Stadium, spoke at a private event Friday sponsored by Somerset Trust Co. at the Somerset Country Club. He goes 'What?' 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WebPirates Broadcaster John Wehner: 'I Like Our Chances Right Now Better Than The Cubs' June 30, 2017 / 3:45 PM / CBS Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) -- As we enter Some included Pirates broadcaster John Wehner. Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: 11 players being overlooked in too many leagues. 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. So he was a showman. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. The way that the Riches treated me. [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. 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. He was a passionate Bills fan. I think if he's hitting and he's pickin' it, I don't see how you can send him back. But he was also an engaging personality. 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. Yeah! "In 1990, WGR finally got the rights to broadcast Bills games and Brown and Weber continued to host the pre- and post-game shows. So that absolutely stands out. Cincinnati Reds infielder Derek Dietrich is on an incredible hot streak, and Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster John Wehner doesnt appreciate the way hes handling it. I said show me your knuckleball." Not a bad idea. John Joseph Block (born March 1, 1978) is a radio and TV play-by-play announcer who calls games for the Pittsburgh Pirates on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and KDKA-FM, joining the team in 2016 after 4 years with the Milwaukee Brewers. Anything but." It just so happens that those fastballs down the middle are getting hit out of the ballpark. "I still believe [Keone] Kela is elite and can set up. He was the radio studio host and backup announcer for the New Orleans Hornets and handled play-by-play for various regional networks for college football and basketball before the Brewers hired him. WebFormer Pirate and current color commentator John Wehner joined Seibel, Starkey and Miller on SportsRadio 93-7 The FAN as the team looks to end their current losing streak. He was one of those guys everybody liked. I said 'Oh I can pitch.' I talked to him (Wehner) before the game. I'm not sure what they do, I guess it depends on his play. Front-page story, big black skull and crossbones, Jolly Rogers waiving everywhere. Broadcasters | Pittsburgh Pirates - MLB WebJohn Wehner, a current broadcaster and lifelong member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, has seen just about everything, but even he couldnt prepare for a season He was drafted by the Pirates in 1988. Although he didn't get the mascot job, the tryout led to other opportunities. Derek Dietrich has as many home runs in the last three games against Pittsburgh as Wehner had in his entire 11-year Major League career. WebJohn Paul Wehner (pronounced "Way-ner") (born June 29, 1967) is an American former utility player in Major League Baseball (MLB) and a current broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It could be true that his personality is just geared that way, and thats okay, but it is something fans will notice. Something I like about Block is that he tries to take somewhat of an analytical approach to the game, often citing certain statistics. There are four of the nations top six television markets No. In '90, '91, '92, they won the division, so they were drawing well then. Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Pickups with upside to provide If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). Now its on! He also saw a potential opportunity for himself: "I put a tape together for these guys to come in and audition. During the confusion, Miller paused briefly in his call and Brown remembers yelling "Darby!, Darby breaks it up!" I spun records during the games initially. WebJohn Wehner was used to living out of a suitcase six months each year from March to October. Yet you dont have to squint too hard to see a core forming. In baseball, one of the most important people to fans is the broadcaster. Sure enough it did, and so that moment stands out for me. He goes 'Yeah, these guys are kidding me that maybe I can hit a home run.' Without being disrespectful to any other minor league team. John Brown said. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Wehner recounts his improbable journey to the Pittsburgh Pirates Pete did an hour show every night and there would be some nights he'd give me the show. Happy were settled with all that and look forward to continuing what were doing.. Going back to 2012 Bleacher Report ranked the Bucs broadcast team at 28th. I was the liaison between the radio network stations and our flagship KDKA radio." It seemed no amount of revenue sharing or rising tides could lift the Pirates ship high enough to seriously compete. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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. The tenuous state of their rotation will be greatly tested as the summer unfolds. It's what you feel. "It's going to be interesting to see when [Kevin] Newman is healthy what they do there. PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) -- As we enter the July 4th weekend, the Pittsburgh Pirates still find themselves in a chase for the division, just four games behind the front-running Milwaukee Brewers. It seems as though, despite the moment, Block has trouble mustering excitement. Its just that Santanas three steals in his 26 games exceeds his total for 349 games between 2020-2022. Bucco broadcaster Wehner talks baseball, life - The Duquesne Duke "John never hit homers, rarely did he start. "While he had to make this big career decision, another enticing opportunity presented itself. Well, you dont need one. Trying to muster conversation or insight from Wehner seems akin to pulling teeth. Can this team win the division? "I still think he's effective enough and he's good enough to get the job done based on what I saw last year. "I started to write and produce commercials. He knew what to expect from me, Wehner said. Pun aside, Joe Block is still the new kid on the block. "His most memorable moment broadcasting Pirates games came courtesy of a former Bison. He made it so much fun. He is receiving satisfying pay as a color commentator for AT and T SportsNet Pittsburgh and the Pirates Radio Network. The bad news is you're not the parrot, the good news is you're the backup Pirate Parrot, and you're going to intern for us this summer. Is John Wehner still a pirate broadcaster? chroniclesdengen.com MICHELLE GANASSI michelleg@dailyamerican.com. Block is a Michigan native, but he had family ties to the Pittsburgh region. Brown said. This seems like strange criticism to me because that appears to be part of the job when youre an employee of the team. 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. 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. "Pete had just a huge influence on me," Brown said of Weber, who was the Voice of the Bisons for 13 seasons. Pirates He was fun and funny. '"The two announcers who were chosen during the process turned out to be very important in Brown's career. Everything you need to know about MLB news, Pirates and other Pittsburgh teams for Monday, May 1, 2023. Former Cardinals third baseman, outfielder, and broadcaster Mike Shannon passed away last night at the age of 83, per a team announcement. McCutchen signaled his commitment to Pittsburgh by signing a team-friendly six-year, $51.5 million extension in 2012, yet even his affordable deal and connection to the city couldnt stop him from hitting the road. "Yeah, I did actually I'm sure I didn't catch every one, but a couple of them anyway." He's a wonderful individual, too. 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.