Bob Prince
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2012) |
Bob Prince | |
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Sportscaster | |
Years active | 1948–1985 |
Robert Ferris Prince (July 1, 1916 – June 10, 1985) was an American radio and television
Prince was one of the most distinct and popular voices in sports broadcast history, known for his gravel voice, unabashed style and clever nicknames and phrases, which came to be known as "Gunnerisms." His unique manner influenced a number of broadcasters after him, including Pittsburgh Penguins voice Mike Lange and Pittsburgh Steelers color analyst Myron Cope.
Prince called Pirates games from 1948 to 1975, including the World Series championship years of 1960 and 1971. Nationally, he broadcast the 1960, 1966, and 1971 World Series and the 1965 All-Star Game for NBC, as well as the first season (1976) of ABC's Monday Night Baseball. He also broadcast at different times for other Pittsburgh-area sports teams, including Steelers football and Penguins hockey.
Early life and career
Born in Los Angeles, California, Prince's father was a former West Point football player and a career military man. An Army brat, he attended many schools before graduating from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh. An athlete himself, he lettered in swimming at the University of Pittsburgh. Prince worked for radio station WJAS, then landed a sports show on KDKA-TV. Prince joined Rosey Rowswell in the Pirates' broadcast booth as a commentator in 1948, and he was promoted to the top spot shortly after Rowswell's death in February 1955. He also broadcast Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State football, Pittsburgh Hornets hockey and a Duquesne basketball game in the 1950s.[5] [6]
As a result of his distinct voice, knowledge of baseball, and high-profile persona, Prince was very popular among Pirates supporters. Prince was a fixture on team broadcasts for three decades on
A regular
The Possum and The Gunner
Many veteran observers believe Prince did his best work while paired with longtime sidekick
To be sure, no one bled black and gold like Prince did before or since. Invariably, when his Buccos were trailing in the late innings by two runs, he'd say, "We need a bloop and a blast!" If calling for three runs, he would say, "We need a bleeder, a bloop and a blast!" He would call a great double play a “Hoover job,” and his praise of Bill Mazeroski as perhaps the finest fielding second baseman ever was evident throughout Maz’s tenure with the Bucs. His great love, appreciation and respect for Roberto Clemente represented one of the few who didn’t downplay the great right fielder due to his playing for the non-elite Pittsburgh Pirates. Unique was Prince’s “excited voice,” an electrified component of his announcing which won the loyalty of Pirate fans forever. His cleverness slipped over into Woods' style as well, and by the mid-'60s, The Possum would be announcing the presence of pinch-hitter (and reserve catcher)
Prince would reunite with Woods on two separate occasions for the
"The Green Weenie"
In
By late season, with the Pirates in a terrific pennant race with the Dodgers and Giants,[10] some fans would parade a giant replica of the Green Weenie through the grandstand as a rally symbol. The hex symbol had started in the dugout with trainer Danny Whelan. Prince picked up on it and began talking about it on the broadcasts. No one thought to trademark the Green Weenie, so tens of thousands were sold in 1966, but Prince, Whelan, and the Pirates didn't profit from it.
Pittsburgh finished in third place at 92–70 (.568), three games behind the league champion Dodgers;[11] the Pirates lost their final three games, swept at home by the Giants.
Later career
Controversial departure from the Pirates
Soon after control of the broadcasts changed from
After his time with the Pirates, Prince had stints calling Houston Astros baseball (1976), Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, and ABC's Monday Night Baseball. On ABC, he was partnered with Warner Wolf and Bob Uecker. He was frustrated that ABC wouldn't let him employ his usual style (the network encouraged talking without much personality) and was removed from the primary Monday night broadcast team during his first season (1976) before being dropped altogether after the season. He also was released by the Astros after a one-year stay; he later said that Houston didn't agree with him. His work with the Penguins was a cause of consternation for hockey fans because he didn't understand the game and didn't know the Penguins' personnel. Eventually he was taken off play-by-play and re-cast as an intermission interviewer. Eventually, he returned to Pirate baseball, thrilling his loyal fans, in 1982, calling a limited number of Pirates games for a cable station.
May 3, 1985
Three years after his return, KDKA and the Pirates decided to make Prince a member of the regular radio broadcast team in
The 1985 team finished last in the majors at 57–104 (.354). Willie Stargell had retired three years earlier, and most of the 1979 championship team had disbanded. The fourth inning broadcast announced by Prince on May 3 was the fifth-most runs scored in any one inning (9) in Pirates franchise history. A commentator on KDKA-TV (Channel 2) referred to it on the 6 p.m. news as the "last revival of the Green Weenie," Prince's good luck charm from 1966.[12][13] Prince announced a few following homestands. Weeks later, he reported to the park for another game, but his illness forced him to go home after waiting through a long rain delay. Prince was unable to report for work again and was re-admitted to the hospital, where he died at age 68 on June 10.[2][3][4] His brief funeral service on June 16 was attended by seven hundred.[1]
Honors and awards
Prince was
Even today, his name remains synonymous with Pirates baseball including the naming of the new "Gunner's Lounge" at PNC Park in 2012.[15] In 1999, Prince was selected for the Pride of the Pirates award, a lifetime achievement honor given annually to a member of the organization.
References
- ^ a b Smizik, Bob (June 17, 1985). "They said goodbye to someone special...Bob Prince". Pittsburgh Press. p. D1.
- ^ a b Kohnfelder, Earl (June 11, 1985). "Prince lauded as broadcaster, human being". Pittsburgh Press. p. A1.
- ^ a b Golightly, John (June 11, 1985). "Bob Prince dies, Bucs broadcaster". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Pirates broadcaster Prince dies". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). news services. June 11, 1985. p. 13.
- ^ Prince Is Named To Penguin Post, The Evening Standard, 1976, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ a b Bob Prince at the SABR Baseball Biography Project , by James Forr, Retrieved November 12, 2013.
- ^ "Bob Prince – Society for American Baseball Research".
- ^ Keck, Harry (August 13, 1958). "Enthusiasm of the Fans Rubbing Off on the Pirates". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. p. 37. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ "Beadhead Green Weenie". www.theflystop.com. Retrieved 2015-05-14.
- ^ Biederman, Lester J. (August 29, 1966). "What a relief! Bucs tied for first". Pittsburgh Press. p. 27.
- ^ "The Majors". Pittsburgh Press. (final standings). October 3, 1966. p. 38.
- ^ Hertzel, Bob (May 4, 1985). "Prince of a game: Pirates gun down L.A." Pittsburgh Press. p. C1.
- ^ Weiskind, Ron (May 4, 1985). "Gunner's comeback: How sweet it was". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 19.
- ^ 1986 Ford C. Frick Award Winner Bob Prince Archived November 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ What to Eat at PNC Park, Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates - Eater
Further reading
- O'Brien, Jim. (1998). We Had 'Em All the Way: Bob Prince and His Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: James P. O'Brien Publishing. ISBN 1-886-34803-0.
External links
- Bob Prince Ford C. Frick Award biography at the National Baseball Hall of Fame
- Bob Prince at the SABR Baseball Biography Project , by James Forr, Retrieved November 12, 2013.
- Bob Prince at Find a Grave
Media offices | ||
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Preceded by Chris Schenkel (in 1965)
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Lead play-by-play announcer, Major League Baseball on ABC 1976 |
Succeeded by |