On The Radio Ep. 15
GREG BROWN
Greg Brown is in his 26th year as a radio and television play-by-play announcer with the Pirates. Only Bob Prince (28 years) and Lanny Frattare (33 years) have called more games than Brown, who has described the action of more than 3,800 games in his career behind the mic.
Known for his outgoing personality and passion for the ballclub, the Emmy award winning broadcaster has made the phrase "Raise The Jolly Roger" synonymous with a Pirates victory and "Clear The Deck, Cannonball Coming" his signature home run call.
Greg's association with the Pirates began in 1979, when he interned in the Promotions department while attending Point Park College. Following the World Series that year, Brown worked as the clubhouse manager during the Instructional League program in Bradenton, Florida. His 10-year stint in the Bucs front office included work in the Sales, Public Relations and Broadcasting departments. Greg also served as the team's public address announcer during the 1987 campaign. In 1988, he was a sports anchor on WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, OH.
Prior to joining Pittsburgh's broadcast team in 1994, Brown spent five seasons (1989-1993) doing play-by-play and color commentary for the Buffalo Bisons of the American Association (now International League) as well as hosting a sportstalk show on WGR Radio. He also worked as a color analyst and a pre- and post-game show host for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League for five seasons (1989-93). Also during his time in Buffalo, Greg served as a play-by-play announcer for University of Buffalo basketball on WGR Radio and as a broadcaster for the Empire TV Sports Network.
STEVE BLASS
The 2019 season marks Steve Blass' 60th and final year of involvement with the Pirates and his 34th behind the microphone as a color commentator. He has been associated with the club since signing his first professional contract on June 27, 1960. He announced on January 15 that the 2019 season would be his final one as a broadcaster.
At the conclusion of the 2019 season, Blass will have spent more time behind the microphone than any other broadcaster in Pirates history (34 years). In addition to working the games played at PNC Park, Steve will periodically take a road trip with the team. He will continue in his role as an analyst on both radio and TV.
A right-handed pitcher, Blass made his professional debut with Kingsport in 1960 and his Major League debut with the Bucs on May 10, 1964. He joined the big league team permanently in 1966 and went on to pitch a total of 10 seasons in the Majors, compiling a 103-76 record, 57 complete games and 16 shutouts in 282 games (231 starts). Steve ranks seventh on the club's all-time list in strikeouts (896).
In his third full season in the Majors in 1968, Steve went 18-6, leading the league with a .750 winning percentage while posting a 2.12 ERA, 12 complete games and a career-high seven shutouts. His 2.12 ERA ranked fifth in the N.L. as St. Louis' Bob Gibson led the circuit with a 1.12 ERA.
During a five-year span from 1968 thru 1972, Blass was one of the best pitchers in the National League as he compiled a 78-44 record, 50 complete games and a 3.05 ERA. He won a career-high 19 games in 1972 and was named to the National League All-Star team that season.
In the 1971 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, Blass recorded two complete game victories, allowing only seven hits and two runs in 18 innings of work. He finished second in the voting for World Series MVP behind teammate Roberto Clemente and remains the last National League pitcher to throw a complete game in Game Seven of a World Series.
After retiring following the 1974 season, Blass remained in the Pittsburgh area and worked in private business, while continuing to do community service for the ballclub.
In 1983, he worked with the legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Prince on Pirate cable telecasts and was also retained the following year when the cable rights were secured by Home Sports Entertainment. Blass officially joined the Pittsburgh Pirates radio broadcast crew in 1986.
A native of Canaan, CT, Steve and his wife Karen live in Pittsburgh. They have two sons, David and Christopher, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. In 2002, Steve became the 13th recipient of the "Pride of the Pirates" award, a yearly honor (since 1990) which recognizes a member of the Pirates family who has demonstrated the qualities of sportsmanship, dedication and outstanding character during a lifetime of service.
JOE BLOCK
Joe Block is in his fourth season of calling Pirates play-by-play action, having joined the TV and radio broadcast teams in 2016.
Though having grown up in and outside Detroit, Block considers making his home in Pittsburgh "a dream," as his grandparents and great-grandparents originally settled in the region, in Wheeling, WV, and Byesville, OH.
As a teenager, Block traveled to Pittsburgh on spring break to take in Penguins games at the Igloo.
Block, 41, has called baseball for 16 seasons, previously with the Milwaukee Brewers and in the minor leagues in Billings, MT, Great Falls, MT, Jacksonville, FL, St. Paul, MN, and Charleston, SC. He also broadcast for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New Orleans Hornets, Montreal Expos and for various regional TV networks since graduating from Michigan State in 1999.
JOHN WEHNER
Pittsburgh native John Wehner is in his 15th season as a member of the Pirates broadcast team, having joined the crew prior to the 2005 season. He serves as an analyst on both radio and TV, working all road games and a handful of games played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Entering the 2019 campaign, John has spent a total of 28 seasons in the Pittsburgh organization (1988-1996, 1999-2001 and 2003-2016). Prior to being named to the broadcast team, John spent time as a coach with the Double-A Altoona Curve (2003-2004) after serving the Pirates as a special instructor during spring training in 2002.
John saw his last action in the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 2001. He hit the last home run in the history of Three Rivers Stadium on October 1, 2000 off Chicago's Jon Lieber and also made the final out. In 11 seasons in the Major Leagues, John compiled a .249 batting average, hit four home runs and collected 54 RBI in 461 games.
In addition, he shares the Major League record of playing 99 consecutive errorless games at third base (also Jeff Cirillo).
