Frattare began his tenure in 1976 after Bob Prince and Nellie King were fired. Since then he has called more than 5,000 Pirates games. Frattare, who was under contract through the 2009 season, said he made the decision to step down during the final road trip of the season though he has been mulling it over for some time.
"It was a difficult and emotional decision, but in the end, I decided it was time," Frattare said. "It has been a privledge and an honor to bring Pirates baseball to the fans for 33 years."
Because of his long tenure and his impact in the community, particularly with the Family Links Golf Classic which he has hosted for the past 22 and raised more than $1 million for children and families of mentally challenged individuals served by the Family Links staff, Pirates president Frank Coonelly believes that Frattare belongs in the Hall of Fame.
“It is important that we all recognize the significance of this moment in Pirates history and properly honor Lanny for his outstanding contributions,” Coonelly said. “I ask the Hall of Fame voters to give serious consideration to Lanny’s many contributions to the city, the Pirates and the game of baseball and consider him for recognition in the broadcaster’s wing of the Hall of Fame. The Ford Frick Award recognizes the greatest broadcasters in the game’s history and Lanny’s accomplishments certainly warrant inclusion in this exclusive club. His place in the Hall would be well deserved, if not overdue.”
The Pirates will host a special on-field ceremony at some point during the 2009 season to honor Frattare.
The rest of the Pirates’ broadcast team, play-by-play announcer Greg Brown and color analysts Bob Walk, Steve Blass and John Wehner, will be back next season. According to Coonelly, the Pirates have no timetable to hire a new play-by-play announcer but the search will begin immediately.
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