Frattare retires the voice of the Pirates

Longer than the Gunner?  Wow, he saw a LOT of baseball, great and hideous…

Mr. Frattare, 60, walked into the office of Pirates president Frank Coonelly and told him he was retiring, although he had a year remaining on his contract.

The announcement marks the end of the longest broadcasting career in Pirates history. Mr. Frattare called more than 5,000 games since joining the Pirates in 1976. His tenure surpassed that of the legendary Bob Prince, who Mr. Frattare, along with Milo Hamilton, succeeded.

“It was a difficult and emotional decision,” said Mr. Frattare in a prepared statement by the Pirates, “but in the end I decided it was time.”