Via their official Twitter account, the Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the hiring of former Milwaukee Brewers play-by-play broadcater Joe Block.
Block replaces the recently departed Tim Neverett, who took a play by play job with the Boston Red Sox.
Pirates President Frank Coonelly issued a statement regarding Block’s hire:
“Joe’s play-by-play ability, diverse experience, strong work ethic and genuine desire to beomce a permanent part of the Pirates family and Pittsburgh community made him our top choice.”
On his own website, Block issued the following remarks on taking the job:
“I didn’t grow up in Pittsburgh, but a part of me always wished I had. My buddy and I loved tuning into KDKA to hear Mike Lange’s call of the Penguins during the Lemieux-Jagr-Francis heyday. (Ronnie was my guy.)”
“Once we could drive, Tom and I would go to games at The Igloo on high school Spring Break. Three Rivers wasn’t open for the season yet, but we’d try to sneak in. After these visits, I always felt drawn to the area.”
In recent days, a rumor that famed NHL broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick was on the cusp of an agreement to call a portion of Pirates games gained steam. Those rumors were quickly squashed by Emrick himself, and the timing of Block’s agreement coming so quickly after these rumors could perhaps suggest that they were unfounded.
It has been reported previously that experienced broadcasters Andy Masur and Tom Hart were also finalists for the position.
Photo Credit: Journal Sentinel
