Another One Fades Into the Sunset...

Man, the year didn't just take its toll on the team and its fans. Even the announcers are are headed out to pasture.

Lanny Frattare, 60, has decided to retire from his television and radio play-by-play duties after 33 seasons, the longest stint of any Pirate announcer in history. His departure was a mild shock, although not completely unexpected. He had been lobbying for a reduced workload, ala Steve Blass.

After the 1975 season, when the Pirates canned Bob Prince and Nellie King, Frattare came to Pittsburgh from Charleston, where he had been calling the games for the AAA Charlies, and joined Milo Hamilton in the booth.

When Hamilton, who never clicked with Buc fans, joined the Houston Astros in 1979, Frattare became the official Voice of the Pirates. He's been in front of the camera ever since, airing his 5,000th game in August.

"The decision to retire from the Pirates broadcast booth was something I have been thinking about and have discussed for some time, but a decision I did not make until after the final road trip of the season. It was a difficult and emotional decision, but in the end, I decided it was time," said Frattare.

"Without the support and approval of the fans, I could not have realized my dream of calling baseball games for the Pirates for such an extended period of time. I look forward to remaining an active part of the Pirates family and the Pittsburgh community."

One of Frattare's commitments has been the Family Links Golf Classic that he has hosted for the past 21 years. Over that time, Lanny has raised more than $1 million in support of more than 32,000 children, families, and mentally challenged individuals.

Frattare became the 18th recipient of the "Pride of the Pirates" award in 2007. The award is an annual honor which recognizes a member of the Pirates family who has demonstrated the qualities of sportsmanship, dedication and outstanding character during a lifetime of service.

Lanny did all that. There's noooooooo doubt about it.

Club President Frank Coonelly added "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."

Greg Brown, plus color analysts Bob Walk, Steve Blass and John Wehner, will return for the 2009 season. The Pirates have set no timetable to hire a new play-by-play announcer to replace Frattare, only that the search will be exhaustive and will begin immediately.

Call us old, but we still can't get used to the team picking the announcers instead of the network. But hey, that's the times. So the 2009 shopping list is now a power bat, pitcher, couple of coaches, and announcer.

New era, new faces, new voice.

Labor Day Scribbles

> The Pirate roster will expand in Cincy tomorrow. We've heard of a posse of possible call-ups being considered, although the Bucs have to balance PT with bench clutter.

It would make sense to further evaluate some pitching (Ross Ohlendorf, Jimmy Barthmaier - tho he's slated to go to Arizona, he needs some innings, - Craig Hansen, TJ Beam), middle infield (Brian Bixler, and possibly Luis Cruz too, according to Dejan, even though he's not on the 40-man), catchers Ronny Paulino and Robinzon Diaz, and Steve Pearce.

We'd pay to see Neil Walker go head-to-head with Andy LaRoche, although that scenario looks like it's a long shot. He's not on the 40-man, although a quick look at the protected pitchers shows that all the deadwood hasn't been cleared out yet.

If we read the rules right, Walker has to go on the 40-man before next year's Rule 5 draft anyway as a fourth year pro, while Andrew McCutchen still has a season to go, which is why they're in no hurry to call him up yet and burn a spot (plus, of course, prematurely starting that pesky service time clock).

The new suits say that no one has a position given to him. We'd like to see that put into action, especially as it's a Littlefield player vs Huntington player competition. Walker certainly deserves a look, comparing his play of the past few weeks against LaRoche's.

Remember the gnashing of teeth when Steve Pearce's shot was cut short? Well, Walker was the team MVP, not Pearce or Cutch. Walker had more HRs and 20 more RBI than Pearce, while his average was just nine points lower. It's time to see him play.

> George Von Benko of MLB.com says September is going to be an important month for the Bucs, according to GM Neal Huntington:

"Every game we play from here on out is an audition, for all of us," Huntington said.

Huntington indicated there are a core of players in place, but nothing is a given in the Pirates organization.

"I don't want to throw anybody under the bus, but the reality is the days of scholarships are over," Huntington explained. "We need to continue to work hard and we need to continue to play hard, and they need to show that they are the best option. We have to take the best 25 and we have to work hard to win ballgames. We're not here to be satisfied to win 81 games. We want to be the best we can. We want to win."

We'll see. Actions speak volumes.

> Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus has a history of Scott Boras challenges against the MLB draft at Boras vs Baseball - A Primer. Don't underestimate Slick Scott.

> Dirt Dog Doug Mientkiewicz is listed as day-to-day after he injured his left hip flexor and groin on Saturday night. Ditto for Jack Splat, who opened a nasty gash on his finger yesterday.

> 1B Jonel Pacheco has been named Altoona's 2008 MVP. The 25-year old finished Sunday's contest with a .286 average, 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 52 RBI in 115 games.

The Curve also presented their annual “Pitcher of the Year” award to RHP Juan Mateo. In 32 appearances out of the bullpen, Mateo, who was signed as a minor league free agent in early May, is 7-1 with five saves and a 2.12 ERA.

C Milver Reyes was named the winner of the club's annual "Unsung Hero Award," and the "Big Money Player of the Year Award" went to OF Brad Corley.

> George Von Benko of MLB.com reports on the Bradenton prospects:

A couple of the young Pirates posted outstanding numbers -- third baseman Jarek Cunningham batted .318 with five home runs and 22 RBIs, and second baseman Adenson Chourio hit .335 with 30 stolen bases.

"[Cunningham] played some shortstop and some third base," (manager Tom) Prince reported. "He's just a solid person who went about his business very professionally and has a bright future ahead of him.

"Chourio is ... a very exciting young player and plays good defense at second base and stole a lot of bases. He just fit into the system real well." Prince also singled out a couple of members of his pitching staff.

"We had a couple of left-handers that did a real nice job for us," Prince offered. "Nelson Pereira out of Nicaragua, and Tyler Cox and Brent Klinger, a kid out of the Draft who did a great job. Klinger is a big kid who throws the ball hard. Basically we're trying to get these guys to throw strikes and they did an outstanding job."

OF Edward Garcia and 2B Chourio (who at the age of 22 is a GCL senior citizen) were sent to State College to get a brief taste of A ball. The Spikes season ends September 4th.

> Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com has a nice piece on long-time Buc broadcaster Lanny Frattare at Frattare Joins Frick Hopefuls.

> So far, so good with instant replay. It started this weekend, and no calls were overturned. Only home run calls can be reviewed to determine whether or not a ball was over the fence, fair or foul, or subject to fan interference.