Rating the MLB TV booths: The NL Central
By Bill Felber
Pittsburgh Pirates: Greg Brown, play-by-play; Bob Walk, John Wehner, color
Like Schroeder, Walk’s specialty is droll, with more than a hint of self-effacement. In reality, he was an above-average MLB pitcher for 14 seasons for the Phillies, Braves, and Pirates. Until the retirement of Steve Blass, Walk was a junior partner on the analytical side of telecasts, but his understated style works well in the chief color slot as well.
Brown, with more than a quarter-century as the voice of the Pirates, is part of a diminishing breed of telecasters today. In the tradition of Harry Caray, Ken Harrelson, and Ernie Harwell, he is one of the few today to nurture ‘signature’ calls. ‘Clear The Deck, Cannonball Comin’’ denotes a Pirate home run, and ‘Raise the Jolly Roger’ signifies a victory.
Catch phrases are cute accessories, but Brown’s telecasts rate highly because he brings an informed, articulate, reassuring voice to his work. With the exception of a few seasons doing minor league play-by-play, Brown has spent nearly his entire 42-year career with the Pirates in some capacity.
Wehner is the Pirates’ secondary color voice on days when Walk is unavailable. The differences lay in their approach, Wehner being the more substantive but less colorful.
Experience: 5
Likeability: 4
Knowledge: 4
Humor: 5
Rapport: 5
Oratory: 4
Total: 27