Frattare retiring, 10-01-08

does this mean that greg brown will pick up full play by play duties?

Congratulations to Lanny on his retirement.

Although, I must say that Lanny being Lanny fell out of favor with me during the 2006 season.

Prior to that, I was a big Lanny fan and often defended him in his early years when many critisized him, primarily just because he wasn't Bob Prince. - At the time I thought Lanny was an excellent announcer in his own right and I appreciated his friendly disposition with anyone he encountered.

But he lost credibility in my eyes during the 2006 season when the club began it's ill-fated All Star game host season with an abysmal 30-60 record and Lanny not only caved in to pressure from the Pirate front office to not be overly critical of the situation, but went above and beyond by saying he say all kinds of positives in development and encouraged fans to do the same.

Well as even a moderate fan could see, the directly of Littlefield was way off to the point that the entire front office was turned over within a year.

In my opinion Lanny sold out to Bob Nutting and deceived fans and for that he lost my respect.

I wish him a happy retirement, and look forward to his replacement.

I know, I know, I know.....

Just Nuttinghostage being Nuttinghostage. ((Being to negative).

I'm sorry, but that's what I believe.

I wish Lanny well and regret he could not go out on a higher note, team wise that is.   I have personally met him and he is a true gentleman.  His presence within the organization will be missed.   I don't doubt he will be a frequent visitor to the games as a spectator.   Thanks Lanny.

Lanny Frattare has been a good company man for many years. Having said that, he's been peculiar the last couple fo years, to say the least.  I was in my car listening to the radio during the broadcast of the infamous Nyjer Morgan debacle getting thrown out at home plate.  All I heard was the plaintive wail, "Why, Njyer, Why?"  Throw in the ramblings about Alanis Morrisette along with numerous games where he'd get the score wrong .... I think there's something going on with Lanny.  I'm sure he can retire to Upper St. Clair and play lots of golf.

RE: piratefn 7

I would certaintly hope not. Nothing against Greg Brown but he isn't the best guy out there. He tends to get a little too excited. Lanny could show emotion but not get carried away. Seeing who they pick as his replacement will probably be more of a hot topic than the Free Agent season here this winter.

Hostage -- I'm with you on the Littlefield years, not much positive to say.

Before the Bucs left KDKA we could hear Lanny on a summer's night if we happened to be driving where there were no power lines along the road and the sunspots were just right.  I thought he did a good job, but was mostly just happy to be able to get the games.

There is noooo doubt about it.... Lanny will be sorely missed.  He is a Pittsburgh icon, amongst a great class of Pittsburgh broadcasters like Prince, Cope, Fleming, and Lange.  I wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.

In my opinion, Greg Brown and Bob Walk are a tremendous team, very alert, entertaining, and knowledgable.  Steve Blass is a good analyst when he is still into the game, and lets face it, being 30 games under .500 year after year would diminish Richard Simmons' enthusiasm.  John Wehner is a good baseball guy, but I am not sold on his ability to be a broadcaster.

With that said, I hope that the Pirates find a good broadcaster to replace Lanny.  Always understated, but very accurate and articulate, Lanny had a unique manner to present a developing situation -  usually a Pirate pitcher trying to escape another jam.  and then there was the signature call after the win......

It is as important as ever to make sure Greg Brown and Bob Walk are part of the Pirate broadcast team for years to come.  I hope the cheapo Buccos recognize this, and make sure they stick around.  Raise the Jolly Roger for the foreseeable future!

I wonder if any of Jim Tracy's sons have a background in broadcast journalism?

If not, Neal probably has some connections in Cleveland. - Afterall that's how we ended up with Chris Gomez, Luis Rivas, Jason Michaels, and Jason Davis.

GREATEST NEWS I'VE HEARD ALL DAY!!!!!!  

Seriously, they should call up the play-by-play guy from the Altoona Curve.  He's good.

Hadar,

That is a good point about the reach of 50,000 watt KDKA.

I lived in Detroit for a few years but many nights could still pick up the signals of KDKA bouncing off Lake Erie and was delighted to hear Lanny then.

But, that was before he sold his credibility to Bob Nutting.

;-)

I always enjoyed Lanny's broadcasts, but more so on the radio.  I think he was an excellent radio play by play guy.  

Best of health and happiness to you Lanny.  I will miss you.

Dubers,

If the Altoona guy would earn less than Lanny did, I'm sure Bob Nutting will be interested.

Maybe Lanny's retiring is really just another salary dump ordered by Bob Nutting??

I mean they have to find some kind of way to pay Pedro Alvarez all that money right?

Hopefully the savings from trading Bay, Nady, Marte and now forcing Lanny into retirement is enough.

;-)

Look for a pitching coach who can coach first base and do the play by play from there?

Cave,

How about Dave LaRoche for the pitching coach opening?

I mean how cool would that be?

We would lead the league in LaRoche's.

I wish Lanny well in retirement. It'll definitely be strange without hearing his voice during the broadcasts.

I don't know if this is true, but I heard it from a guy on the radio (just call me the National Enquirer): the Pirate broadcasters have in their contracts controls over what they can say about the Pirates.  In other words, how critical they are allowed to be of the Pirates.  If that is the case, then Lanny didn't sell out, but was honoring his contract.

I add this as a Pirates fan that has never particularly liked Lanny, which I believe is not unusual for people who grew up with Bob Prince as the voice of the Pirates.  Hard to believe Lanny's been around 33 years.

I would think Lanny would be overly positive in recent times. He has to try to keep the listeners upbeat. I mean he is employed by the Pirates - if most people trashed their employers over the airwaves on a nightly basis they would be out of work.

NuttingHostage...sigh...what are we going to do with you?  Do you need a hug?

TTW--"...during the broadcast of the infamous Nyjer Morgan debacle getting thrown out at home plate.  All I heard was the plaintive wail, 'Why, Njyer, Why?'..."  yeah the tone of his voice in that moment...he was much kinder than me, and spoke softer. I kind of yelled, and I said something that begins with an A and ends with an E.  And an exclamation point.

@NuttingHostage - "In my opinion Lanny sold out to Bob Nutting and deceived fans and for that he lost my respect.

"I wish him a happy retirement, and look forward to his replacement. I know, I know, I know..... Just Nuttinghostage being Nuttinghostage. ((Being to negative). I'm sorry, but that's what I believe."

NuttingHostage, NuttingHostage, NuttingHOSTAGE! In the words of the great Zig Zeigler, you got a bad case of "stinkin' thinkin" and all you need is a "checkup, from the neckup!"

And don't apologize for bein' my brother NuttingHostage, alright ... He's OK in my book ... today!

Trite Trophy Winner - That's so funny ... I was just taking a break from delivering the pie one night, came home and opened the door. My wife had her new laptop in her chair, watching the game on mlb.tv, and I heard this loud, "Why Nyjer Why" wail! It's like Lanny knew he wasn't going to get to the 7th game of the world series again, and decided to let it loose ...

And then the La La La La La La LaRoche deal ... it was like got religion and glossolalia all in one fell swoop!

Nutting Hostage - "I wonder if any of Jim Tracy's sons have a background in broadcast journalism? If not, Neal probably has some connections in Cleveland. - Afterall that's how we ended up with Chris Gomez, Luis Rivas, Jason Michaels, and Jason Davis."

Nutting Hostage ... www.youtube.com/watch

Nutting, you don't have to be syrupy about Lanny but can you take a break from the devil's advocate schtick for a minute? Ah ... keep it comin' ...

I wonder if deep down the 16 years of losing, poor management, and censorship finally got to him. Maybe he knows we are in for more of the same and just couldn't take coming to the ballpark and seeing the Bucs be so terrible anymore. Thoughts?

As Hostage alluded to but didn't say directly, maybe this retirement wasn't voluntary   I would have thought that some type of tribute would have been given to him during the last homestand if Lanny had already informed ownership of his departure.  It seems odd after all these years that this is how he goes out.

We need our conspiracy expert.  G-Man, you are being summoned.

NuttingHostage - We already lead the league in LaRoches. And the word on the street is that Andy's twin brother - Amos - is on the way, too.

I have wondered if Huntington's secret strategy in bringing brother Andy over was to get Adam to feeling a little better about April and May.

Arriba,

Contractual obligations are one thing and I can understand that and give Lanny some slack, but I'm not sure if you recall but Lanny went in the other direction. He went out of his way to actually defend the club and front office and claimed that there was a lot of promise in the midst of that 30-60 start.

The way I see it, Lanny either was deceiving the fans purposefully......or learned absolutely nothing about baseball in over 30 years of broadcasting.

I'm not sure which is worse.

Lanny,

 Don't let the door hit you.

You always came across as someone who thought they were more important than the game and had too high an opinion of yourself. You skills were average, at best.

I look forward to your replacement.

I know people might not agree with my opinion, but it is just my opinion. I never liked Lanny at all.

Ok, this may seem completely out of river past left field, but..

For those of you who watch the Espn games, for a sideline reporter, Erin Andrews is quite good.  Knowing the shelf-life of an Espn personality is about 5 years, and she's getting near the 5 year mark, why not her?  Outside of the fact she's a Bosox homer, there appears to be good baseball knowledge there. She was good during the college World series.

Is she attractive, yes.  But she does appear to be talented as well.  

We cannot get someone like the Marlin announcers.  I have the mlb package and they get the mute treatment.

Whatever happened to Ron D?

Baywatch,

But look at it this way, if the Bucs were to hire Dave LaRoche, he could teach the Buc hurlers his famous version of an eephus pitch that he called "La Lob". - Matt Morris was throwing it this year except he called it a fastball.

I wonder if Neal would relax on his pitch limit or die restrictions if Bucco pitchers were throwing La Lob?

Nuting, let me get this straight, lanny sold out to nutting in 2006when kevin was still in charge.

Do you just say these things to have fun or do you really believe abything that comes out.

Stan,

I'm not big into chick announcers but if we are going to go that way then i want Trenni.

I don't blame Lanny for retiring now, before the losing streak becomes exactly half as long as his tenure.  He did seem to be getting beaten down the last few years.

Please, no more Greg Brown.

And John Wehner reminds me of a guy that the Pirates just found standing on Brownsville Road streetcorner in Carrick talking baseball and said, "Hey, this guy might work cheap".  He's a total "yinzer", in the negative sense (as opposed to a Pittsburgher).

Who mentioned the Curve's broadcaster?  I thought that was Paul Steigerwald.  He'd never take the Pirates job (his nose is too far up Mario's a.....  But, if he and Greg Brown were really the Pirates play-by-play men, I'd heave myself off the Clemente Bridge.

Belinda

Does she do radio?  We need someone who can do both, as well as help with the equipment, grounds crew, coaching, etc.

33 years!!  What a career for Lanny.  He will be missed a great deal by me.  He is the voice of Pirates baseball.

Re-entering the fray...

I, for one, will miss Lanny. SINCE THE FRIGGIN' SEVENTIES, I have been a lonely Pirate fan, stranded thousands of miles away from Pittsburgh. True, internet broadcasts of games have now been with us for a little while, but it wasn't until last season that we  took the plunge and tried the MLB package from our cable t.v. provider.  My experience with Pirates' announcers calling Pirates games all started only last year.

And I have loved EVERY GLORIOUS MINUTE OF IT. Most (though not all) of you, have something you can take for granted --i.e. radio and t.v. broadcasts of our favorite team, with our own announcers. The very, very rare nationally televised Pirate game by neutral announcers who aren't even that familiar with the team and the players, just isn't the same. So far away from anyone who has shared my passion for the Bucs, it's been FANTASTIC to hear biased, Pirate-centric coverage of the games. And all the on-air  silliness of Lanny, Greg, Bob and Steve has also been a pure pleasure for this Bucco fan who finally made it in from the cold.

Maybe not the most common take, but I'll miss you, Lanny. Enjoy the next stage of your life.

Lanny,  thanks,

www.youtube.com/watch

I know Lanny's performance the last couple of years slipped, but he's the voice I will always associate with the Pirates.  I remember sitting in my room listening to a game against the Padres, I got called for dinner, and I said "I'll be down as soon as the Padres hit into a triple play."  And Lanny was on when they did.  (Quite a feeling of power when you're 11.)  For me, hearing "A very pleasant good evening" through "There was noooo doubt about it!"  no matter the weather or how we won, it's a sound that I'll miss.

Mr. Frattare, I wish you well.  Enjoy your retirement.  Thanks for the memories.

Is Milo Hamilton available?

"Maria Sharapova could be yours for a cool $10,000"

Or, so reads the headline. Myself, I couldn't do it. Too much torture to only be able to look, but never touch. Maria is about as beautiful as they come.

sports.yahoo.com/.../Maria-Sharapova-could-be-yours-for-a-cool-10-00

Jersey Joe,

McClatchy was President in 2006, but Bob Nutting was the Chairman of Board and majority share holder.

McClatchy reported to Bob Nutting.

I would think any knowledgeable Pirate fan was aware that the Nuttings took controlling interest of the board several years back and before they bumped McClatchy to the curb.

BTW, What happened to DK's final chat of the season?  Wasn't he supposed to do one yesterday?  I can't find a transcript anywhere on the PG site.  Any help from you good folks?

@Disgruntled Goat - "Is Milo Hamilton available?"

PLEASE, No ... He is every bit of 85, and REALLY forgets stuff a lot ... I listen to the Astros broadcast sometimes when they play the Pirates (I get blacked out from watching the Pirates play anyone in Texas because I live here ), and, though a legend in some circles ...he's on his way out ... as I hope Vin Scully is ... Now THERE'S one annoying person!

Come on JL, fess up.  That was your 10 grand, wasn't it?

JL, Maria is a very nice person as well.  I've had the pleasure of working with her (ok once), but the event went well and she appeared appreciative, worked well with the crowd and seemed to enjoy promoting a product that she was one of the features.  

Good luck to Lanny on his future endevours and I would hope that this was a decision that was not dictated by a health concerns.  

@Baywatch:

sar·casm  

Pronunciation: \sär-ka-zəm\

Function: noun

1: a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain

2 a: a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual

I guess I should have added this:  ;)

Disgruntled Goat - You're too much ... LOL!

Someone said they thought Lanny wasn't appreciated at first because he wasn't Bob Prince.  MY memory is that he WAS appreciated because he WASN'T Milo Hamilton!  

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY (which is not always the safe choice) Lanny was the broadcaster for the Charleston Charlies, and would come to Pittsburgh and do a few September innings with Gunner & Possum.  (That gave him some "cred" with Aunt Kay, at least.

Erin?? Trenni?? Hey, if we're thinking of a female announcer, how about Pirata13? And she might give a home team discount or work for beer and wine and soft pretzels.

As for conspiracy theories, I will admit that my first thought upon reading the headline was, "Here they go again, clearing out the guys from the past administration."

I really don't have much opinion, one way or the other, on Lanny because he joined the booth a couple of years after I left Pittsburgh. My late Mom liked him a lot. And I did get to meet him once when we got to use Michael Baker's box at 3RS and he stopped by to say "hi" to my Dad who was working that day. Anyway, I wish him good luck in retirement.

I spoke to Lanny a couple weeks before the season ended. When i mentioned that I feel for the guys with team struggling the way it was. he said , don't I've got the greatest job in the world. He loved the Pirates and love broadcasting the game. I wish him nothing but the best.

G-man, isn't Pirata13 working with Andy on his footwork?  

Jeff- I 2nd that notion.  

On the earlier thread, NH raised the idea of a $10 million payroll (if they're going to loose, anyway).  While MLB does not have an OFFICIAL minimum payroll, I'm sure I've read SOMEWHERE that Bud & Co. put pressure on any club that is not at least exceeding their revenue-sharing money.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but the regime could be spending JUST ENOUGH to avoid MLB static, but maximize profit.

Hey, I'd say there are more Brewer haters than Phillie haters out there, right? If that's the case, we won today! (Man, I've been wanting to say that SO bad since Sunday!)

Off to the wars guys ... catch you on the late shift.

Caa-aaave ! (said out of the side of my mouth as I frantically make the throat slashing gesture),

Ssssshhhh!! My wife will hear...

As long as we don't get Ron Santo or the Cards announcers.  

I prefer a play-by-play announcer who just does the job of describing what's going on down on the field and like old Red Barber tells you the score at least once every two minutes.  

I like an analyst who tells you why something worked or didn't or what would have worked better or might have gone wrong, but doesn't revel in his own glory days.  I'm thinking of a certain ex-Cincinnati infielder as a type to avoid.

Showmen are great if you only have to listen to one game, but if you think of the greats of broadcasting, they were great because they paid attention to the game.

Stan,

Nice story about Maria. At the end of that day, did you get her to sign your tongue (since it must have been dragging on the floor all afternoon)?

BTW, what line of work are you in that had you at an event she helped promote?

What does Dave LaRoche have to do with Lanny retiring?

I wonder if Smizik's article will be positive? Has he ever written a positive article?

I always enjoyed the  irony of  hearing the "no doubt about it" line after a big comeback or close game.  I can't be too hard on Lanny, he had the job equivelant of being a spokesman for the Somalia Tourism Board.  I would have lost my mind trying to be positive and excited about this horrible franchise for the last 16 years.  On a side note, I think Bob Walk has really good insights into the game and would hate to see him leave.

Nutting,

ha ha, you sure are zeroed in on nutting.  If Bob was as you say he is then he would not give anywhatever was said since you believe he is in for the revenue sharing profit.  he could care less about lanny or anyone else.  

he either cares only for profit and lanny being straightup would not interfer with that or he cares, which one is it?

JL- I was part of a video game manufacturer and assisted in the hardware setup for promotion events (think standby technical support). Maria was one of the best I've worked with by far, very classy and should eventually be an ambassador for US tennis.  Its obvious to me when someone wants to be there, vs required to be at an event and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

The 2nd best person I had the pleasure of working with (Randall Cunningham was even better).

I cannot believe that Doug and his wife somehow bequeathed a dozen Wiis to give to Nate's Charities. Believe me, that must have been a lot of work for them to accumulate, because even after the Wii has been out for 2 years, the average time on the shelf for a wii is 3 hours.  

It was February 20th and pitchers and catchers were to report to Bradenton. I believe at 1:30. There was the usual optimism for the few believers that still remained.

I had come off the midnight shift and had other things on my mind. I should have been sleeping waiting to get back to the grind. But I was busy pacing and working the phones. You see I was expecting my first child. A son. Problem was; I didn't know that my son was going to be showing up in time for spring training.

See, his mother had asked me to not call and had let it be known that I would not be a part of his life. So all had was the hope that either she would come to her senses, the courts would step in, or someone would take mercy and hear me out.

As it was, I found out through a relative that his mother had gone to the hospital and at 10:15 that night, through another relative, that a healthy 9 lb. boy  had entered the world.

Litigation followed and sometime in mid-April I not only got to meet my son but I got to take him home. Tim Burton's Big Fish had just come out on DVD and it was on the television while we sat on the couch and gazed into each other's eyes. After the movie had ended the TV somehow made it to the obligatory Pirate game.

And that's how it went. We spent our time together sitting, watching and listening to the Bucs. And when I couldn't be there with him; baseball was known to calm his weary cries.

It was two years later, by which time he was interested in doing everything but sitting still and watching baseball that I noticed something curious. When I had the game on and he heard Lanny's voice, he would eventually curl up on the old man and wind down the day.

Lanny had mentioned retiring a season or two ago. If I remember correctly he wanted to pass a certain milestone.

The first game my son and I attended together was the season finale of 2007. After the game we saw Greg Brown at Jerome Bettis'. I wanted to approach him and ask if there was a chance that he was meeting Lanny. But I didn't want to impose and I didn't know if we did meet him if I could keep my composure.

Say what you want about his style, your opinion of his employer, his loyalty to the team he covered. But, I never found an ounce of evidence that suggested he was anything but a class act.

With each passing year Lanny's voice will fade a little more to our past and eventually there will only be a few of us that will remember the passion Lanny had for the Pirates. A passion that never wavered through sixteen seasons of drought.

I knew this day would come. I only wish it would have been after I had a chance to meet him and say "Mr. Frattare this is Seth and in our history the first chapter is dedicated to you."

Good Luck and Thank You, Lanny Frattare. I hope you find the peace in retirement that you've been kind enough to share with us.

we are all now in this state of mind

www.youtube.com/watch

ROBBIESDAD - That was me that mentioned the Altoona Curve announcer.  His name is Jason Dambach.  Staggie is back with the Pens.  TV.  Dambach is very knowledgable and easy to listen too.  Does a great job keeping you into the game.

Lanny F. was a class act considering the material he had to work with. How would you like to comment on those teams of the past 20-years, game in-game out.

I wonder if the "super genius" might consider play-by play? Now that would be entertainment!

I know Lanny fairly well as he is a neighbor to my Dr. Cardiologist cousin and we share the same watering hole in Mt.Lebanon. Always a kind word and an outstretched hand to shake. Sitting on my cousins deck drinking beer or wine and smoking stogies I asked him one time after Jon Miller was fired for making negative remarks about the O's, why didn't he? With a laugh he said you see where that got Miller...He then said it was his job to call the game If the team or a player were in a slump he would mention it or have a short conversation about it with his partner but it was not his job to bury the team or player. My cousin asked him if management told him to not be negative (as we say here Flame the team or player). Emphatically he said absolutley not never ever once has mgmt asked or suggested he not trash individuals or the team. He felt then that the talking heads on TV and writers in the papers were "designed" to offer that type of commentary when needed. "It is my job to call the game". I will see him soon I am sure and i will wish him all the best and will probably empty a few bottles of wine or a case of beer toasting his retirement...I will pass onto him all of the well wishes from the asylum and if asked I will also offer the names addresses and places of employ to those that had negative things to say....<Grin> . He is a good man having had a difficult job for 16 years. He loves the PBC and he loves the city and its fans.

@ Jose Lind's Pants

What a great story, thanks for letting us in on something that is so special. The fact that Lanny's been doing this for 33-years makes me feel old.

Jose,  very nice words to Lanny, I sure hope he checks in here now and then to see your grand gesture.

His love for the Pirates will never be questioned as you say.

I think we all should just add our names to your letter because anything else would be an imatation.

Lanny, your pal Sally I am sure is happy for you.

For those of you who didn't appreciate Lanny's style and grace behind the mike, may you be forever banished the realm I live in. For some reason beyond my comprehension, a lot of Pirate games are blacked out in Florida (I am 2 1/2 hours from Tampa, 5 1/2 from Miami) so I am relegated to watching far too many games with the other team's announcers. Y'all don't have any idea how good you had it with Lanny. Anyone here remember Dave("here's the next pitch") Miller? He was either pre- or post- Milo, can't remember which.

We were fortunate to have Lanny and can only hope the next guy can measure up.

Enjoy your retirement Mr. Frattare, you have certainly earned it.

NuttjobHostage: Get a life, seriously. Nest thing will be that Bob Nutting is responsible for global warming and high gas prices. Seesh! Enough already.

Lanny- a first class guy who really was not ready to retire. I hope this was not another ax-job by these incompetent people who run this team. Lanny (and Bob Walk) truly made these broadcasts, even in the face of this pathetic team that the Pirates call a major-league baseball team... now only if the city fathers could take this team by eminent domain, fire these incompetent decision-makers called Nutting, Coonelly and Huntingdon and then  recognize Walk's talent and make him the manager. we would then not have a broadcast team, but maybe we would have a baseball team. Best of Luck, Lanny. I know that your outstanding voice, character and charisma will surface somewhere on the air waves

Folks,

I realize that this thread is primarily  for wishing farewell to Lanny. But since we don't know when the next timed post is coming, I have no choice but to introduce some other business here, as well.

I've made up my mind about the following: if management expects us to take it seriously about "changing the culture", demanding "accountability", and setting the goal of winning a  "championship", then they need to go out now and RE-SIGN DOUG. And I'm not just making my daily, obligatory plea, here. Doug embodies everything for which they assert to be aiming. Other teams will certainly be making overtures to Doug. We simply will have to try harder, to convince him to stay. There certainly will be even more difficult tasks ahead than this.

I'm redoubling my efforts at this campaign.  If management doesn't care enough about keeping Doug, then we KNOW they are insincere about everything else, too.  

This is the test, if ever there was one.

Quite a lot here but mostly on the topic--having moved far from the area about the time Lanny was hired I did not get to listen very often.  I grew up with Prince and at first listen I did not think Lanny was nearly as good but over the years when I would hear him I thought he did a pretty good job.

Question to consider is what his job was supposed to be--reporter , critic, analyst?  Same thing as with DK--he is reporter and his job is to report the facts (cue theme from Dragnet).  Smizik, Collier, and Cook are columnists and they can take facts and then give opinions.  DK will tell us that Snell took responsibility for throwing a poor pitch that got hit for the winning HR but it would one of the columnists who would say the pitching coach has to go or Snell needs to develop mental toughness or whatever.  Two different jobs, two different responsibilities.  

Bay- Couldn't agree more about Vin Scully. His nasally intonations actually make me crave hearing fingernails on a blackboard, much like NuttjobHostage's posts do.

JL

touche!!!.

These pitiful decision-makers want complacency i.e. LaRochex2, Snell, Gorzelanny, Paulino ad nauseum.

Doug does not fit their mold of fireworks, bobbleheads and concerts, and not baseball.

Nellie Briles once told me that a pitching coach helps one-third, hinders one-third and has no effect on one-third of the staff. Jeff Andrews was hired by NH and he fired him less than a year later. Evidence of NH's ability to evaluate talent-the shortest major-league tenure for a pitching coach. Poor guy took the heat for incompetent dog-Ian sMell, a bad-contract(Morris) a not-ready-for -prime time(Meek), a corps of minor leaguers who paraded in major-league uniforms all season. This guy,NH is NOT the man. I suspect that he will get his pocket picked many more times and will continue to make bad personnel decisions.

Pity these Pirate fans

@JL--Was watching the early playoff game and Counsell got in the game--anyone amazed that A-Rod has never been on WS winning and Counsell has been on two and here he is in the playoffs again.

Hershiser said something like--every winning team needs a player like Counsell--someone who knows what it takes to win and gives full effort every game.

I think he made your DD point

Congratulations Lanny on a wonderful career.  I too remember listening to the Bucs KDKA broadcasts years ago before cable TV when there weren't near as many TV games.  I really started following the Pirates in the mid 70's, so I grew up listening to Lanny on the radio and then more on TV. I will definitely miss the voice of the Pirates.

My most memorable Lanny call was John "The Hammer" Milners' grand-slam home run to win the July 4th double header against the Phillies (1977?)

My dad and I were fishing and we were close enough to the car to listen to the game on the radio. My dad was a big Phillies fan (why, I don't know), but that grand-slam sure ruined his whole fishing trip and made my day.

Go Ball, Get out of Here !!!!

Go Lanny, Get of here !!! and enjoy your retirement!

An idea-maybe we should package this team and ask Congress to make it part of the 700 billion financial crisis bailout as an non-performing asset. We could then get somebody to buy it out of the bailout, infuse some capital, purchase some quality free agents, rehabilitate it and it could become a performing asset, a real major league team!!! Sorry, just daydreaming

Can't believe some of the "bad vibes" going around concerning Lanny. I think you guys there in/around the Burgh are spoiled. I would love to have the chance to hear ANY baseball game on radio, called by ANY announcer. I'm here on the other side of the world (yes, by my choice!), where only about 50% of the radio broadcast are even in English. Baseball?, forget about it.... TV?, yes maybe twice a week, unless I tune into a Japanese channel and listen to the game in Japanese. Yes, I remember listening to Lanny, when in the Pittsburgh area and at times when stationed in D.C. at the Pentagon and have enjoyed his broadcasts immensely. The only thing I see that MIGHT be criticized is that he loved what he did too much-and like many in other careers-stayed a little longer than he should have. Is that a crime? No one is perfect!

lahida -some of us have tossed that idea around--of course it is not that easy to get a bill through Congress :)

JAL- I think you make an excellent point; you have to decide what you think Lanny's role was to evaluate him.  For me, he was employed by the Pirates, not to be an independent journalist or analyst, but to be the Pirates' play-by-play broadcaster, which is to talk about what is going on on the field.  I never looked at him as "selling out" or "deceiving" people because he was a homer.  He was hired to be a homer, just like Bob Prince was a homer.  Actually, I thought he was more outspokenly (?) negative this year than he ever had been.  Maybe he had had enough and this was entirely his decision.

He had a long and successful career and is to be congratulated and thanked for his dedication and work.

JLP and BK---Cool

JLPants -

Great post. Thanks for sharing. As I mentioned, my son and I had a brief opportunity to meet and shake hands with Lanny. My son had no idea who he was, just some guy who came into the box. I was touched by your story and wish I could trade you that experience in appreciation for all the enjoyment you've given me here.

BillyKidd -

Also a great post that you shared. Although Lanny will have no clue, please tell him he has won one of the special pillbox Hap Caps, this one with a unique emblem.

    __|_L_|

@G-Man--I will make sure he understands what an important achievement/award he has been given.

@JAL--you there?? It just passed..

Folks I would love to sit here and chat but my work life just got real real busy..I gotta go. Will check in periodically over the next few days...Keep up the great blogging!

Something tells me this may not have totally been Lanny's idea. I sould be wrong.

Well - there is always Milo Hamilton.

lahida and JAL,

Thank you for your support and for helping to further my case.

60FT6,

GREAT account of a special moment in Pirate history. Wasn't that the game where Chuck Tanner pinch-hit Milner for for Nicosia, who had been 4 for 4 that day? I could only have hoped to have experienced it as you did. That game, and so many others, were games I had to relieve by reading about them the following day in the sports pages of my local paper. Yes, Pirate's fans who have had Lanny over the years, have had it good. Take it from someone who hasn't been so lucky.

It WAS NOT Lanny's idea

Good Luck Lanny. You brought me many good memories in you 30+ years.

Cubs Lose, Cubs Lose, Cubs Lose!

@BK--It passed the Senate--now back to the House for a predicted Friday vote.  

@Arriba--Thank you.  I do my best to make good points.

Lanny,

Best of luck in your next endeavor, whatever that may be.  My wife and I will miss you on the broadcasts.  I know you always claimed that Bob Prince was the "Voice of the Pirates" and, I guess, he was.  But, in my opinion, you're not far behind.  It won't be the same without you.  Take care.

Cubs lost, Brewers lost--question is, if both central teams lose 1st round does that mean the Pirates were even worse that we thought because they couldn't do better in weak division?

Pirate announcers are like Steeler coaches, not many lead ones over the years.  For the went from  “There goes a doozy maroony into center field!” to 'We had them all the way" to "No doubt about it."

And in case anyone wonders, I am so old that ever heard the first one from Rosey Rosewell who broke in Prince.

JAL

The Pirates stand alone. You cannot judge this team by any comparisons. The have no peers.

They just plain STINK

JAL

How about this one...

"Open the Window Aunt Minnie-there she goes"  sound of glass breaking (on a Pirate homerun)

lahida--THat is a good one too

JLP -- A touching story.

PI --  I can empathize, baseball is often better on the radio than on TV.

Mostly lurking tonight because we just don't get the Pirates broadcasts any more out here on the prairie.  But as always it's been fun to read.

JL -- Keep beating the drum for Mientkiewicz

All, good night.

Goodnight from here too

Lanny quitting is great news. He is the worst broadcaster in baseball. I've always believed there couldn't be anyone worse and now with every game on XM radio he was proven to be the worst. His definition of play by play is breaking into one of his inane stories with "there's a strike." How many times have I wondered what kind of pitch is was or where the pitch was.  

Let's hope his quitting will insure he will never be nominated for the Ford Frick award by the Baseball Hall of fame. What a disgrace that would be to the Hall of Fame is he were to come close to that.  A true measure of how bad he has been over the years is that he has never come close to receiving that award.

Now we can hope that the rest of the broadcast team does not "Trip Trip Trip" as they head out the door.

Its nothing more than enough being enough.  He's been at it for 33 straight years which is an insanely long time in the radio biz.  All of the travel and the behind the scenes insanlity would have been enough alone, but add 16 years of losing.

I don't suspect we've heard the last of Lanny but probably not at PNC Park.  

Bob Prince, Lanny Frattare

I grew up listening to Bob and was sad when he was gone.

I did not care for Lanny mostly because I liked Prince. It's always hard to follow a legend. Times change people come and go.  Lanny grew on us and the next generation. The next person will do the same for our kids and so on.  

What we have to be proud of is that they were both good baseball people and good people as well.

Their styles were different but they were ours.

Lanny you will be missed in this sense from the baseball fans of Pittsburgh. Good luck to you in all you do. May good health and happiness be bestowed upon you and yours.

Happy Trails.

www.youtube.com/watch

60FT6:  I remember that game.  I was at my uncle's house for the weekend.  We listened to the game at a neighbor's pool on a transistor radio.  Wow!!!

And every game he opened with "Hello friends, and a very special good afternoon.  Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates are taking on..."  I also remember the "Get Two!" on a double-play grounder, "Charging, Gloving, Throwing, and Getting!" on a hot grounder.   He's been the only Pirates announcer I've really known as a fan.  And all y'all need to stop hating on Lanny.  I, for one, will miss him deeply.  Good Luck, Lanny!!  Happy retirement!

60FT6 - I was at that game too.  The place went nuts.  I also remember having about 15 stitches in my chin at the time...

JLP - Awesome.  For all the humor you bring here, that may be the best thing you've posted - one dad to another.

I only ever heard Bob Prince when he did that game or two in the 80's, but my dad would tell me the stories of him, and Rosey Roswell from when he was growing up.  I look forward to forming the same kinds of memories with my kids as well.

A lot of very moving comments even though I hardly ever heard Lanny as I moved from Pa in 1975.  Obviously, he touched many as the Gunner did in his time.

@JLP that was one of the most moving pieces I have read in a while!!  Thanx!!

@JAL I am not sure when Rosy started but surely he, the Gunner and now Lanny have a combined tenure as lead announcer dating back at least to sometime in the 1940s - like you say, somewhat reminiscent of Steeler head coaches!  

Good for Lanny.  16 years of this has to take it's toll on the people who have to speak every game also.

Though it now makes the Pirates broadcast crew the crappiest in baseball.  He was the only one left who actually felt like a baseball voice.  Greg Brown is so epically cheesy.  I can't stand it...

Lanny, thanks.

It's a shame you didn't get to do a lot more meaningful, big games the last decade and a half.

"You got it all!"

Enough is a enough

this is the beginning

Lanny had to go

Greg "Bucco Nation" brown needs to go

John "Bucco Nation" Weinhenr

they are PR clowns

how bad does it hurt pirate "fans" to sit here and watch October baseball knowing the next possible sniff of it will be 2011

please do not reply to this because unlike Billythekid and BAywatch i cannot check this board every waking hour to reply back

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh

what a scrub

he was not good at his job

Quite a bittersweet moment, tonight. Jason Bay homered to lift Boston over the Angels in Game 1. I'm happy for him that he continues his heroic ways for his new home. But he used to be OUR hero. He still could've been our hero. He's a cornerpiece we should have built around...

Well, I'll be proud of you if you can get your ring, Jason. Keep doing what we know you can do, and you'll have it.

mlb.mlb.com/.../gameday_recap.jsp

Bay really smoked that one, didn't he, JL? I'm happy for him.

hey Baywatch..you still up...man I am really pulling for Jason Bay too..hope he becomes a Red Sox hero like Maz and Clemente and Stargell were for us

Yeah, Smoke, I been home for about 45 minutes ... What can you say ... Bay is just a class act, still hitting those trademark high-fly home runs ... the ones that Steve Blass used to call "High Plains Drifters."

got to se the highlights on TBS..did you see the home run Manny hit..real low pitch and he leaned over and golfed it with just a flick of the wrists and it was way out of there..most players that would have been a pop up to center

@JL--Thanks for the Bay clip...I guess I need to go buy a Red Sox hat to root for JBay. ALDS-Hat ALCS-Mock WS-Bay Gameshirt

I quickly scrolled through some of the messages on this thread and saw that someone mentioned Erin Andrews. Yuck! Now that would make me vomit. She looks like she's just trying to attract the athletes for dates with the way she dresses and the dumb things she says. I recently read an article about some of her actions when conducting "intereviews." She would be horrendous.

@ 60FT6 - milner's grand slam vs. the hated phils was on aug 5 of 1979, not 1977.  I know because I was there -- and it was AWESOME!  I was 10 years old and it was the only game I ever saw from the ornate allegheny club.  one of my favorite memories growing up.

@ JL -- yep, milner batted for nicosia.

re:  lanny -- I wasn't his biggest fan, especially the past few seasons.  but, he was the pirates announcer for most of my life and I do have to say that I enjoyed hearing him in the early years on my transistor radio (anyone remember those???).  and, calling PBC baseball over the past 16 seasons could not have been a whole lot of fun.

best to lanny in his retirement and it will be interesting to see who is brought in.  I like greg brown, but I agree with some here that he can be a little overboard.  

Hmmmm I wonder if DK would consider the job...

I am sure JLP could come up with a fantastic phone call scenario for this one.

or

Maybe DD could do color commentator, nevermind He'd be fired by the end of the 3rd inning for flaming everyone.

Happy trails to Lanny, I always liked the pure professionalism that he bought to broadcasts.  He wasn't as excitable as Brown is, but he always had you in the game(except one game against SF in '04 where it really sounded like he wanted to be somewhere else. Actual call from that game:Mackowiak. Deep to right. Gone, with about as little of emotion as one can possibly put into a call).  But, I am going to miss Lanny, as he was the voice of the Pirates for me, as I am far too young for the Gunner.

I believe Lanny did a fine job, not an excellent or great job, but this is what is deemed necessary for longevity today in the broadcast field.  Gone forever are the likes of The Gunner, Ernie Harwell, Joe Nuxhall, Harry Carey, Jack Buck, or Red Barber.   These men showed character and personality, something that is clearly lacking in today's markets.  

Good Luck Lanny & Godspeed.