Pittsburgh Pirates welcome new play-by-play announcer to broadcast team

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Saturday the hiring of Joe Block as the club's new play-by-play announcer.

Block, who has called play-by-play action for more than 1,400 professional baseball games, joins current play-by-play announcer Greg Brown and color analysts Steve Blass, Bob Walk and John Wehner.

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"Joe's hiring is a result of an extensive search that involved more than 225 qualified applicants and a group of final candidates all of whom are Major League caliber broadcasters," Pirates President Frank Coonelly said. "Joe's play-by-play ability, diverse experience, strong work ethic and genuine desire to become a permanent part of the Pirates family and Pittsburgh community, made him our top choice."

Prior to joining the Pirates broadcast team, Block called radio play-by-play for the Milwaukee Brewers, hosted a Los Angeles Dodgers radio postgame show and called nine seasons of Minor League Baseball. He also spent more than 10 years in television, calling major Division I college football and basketball games, and worked as radio studio host for the NBA's New Orleans Hornets.

Block, 37, is a graduate of Michigan State University. He and his wife, a Pittsburgh native, have one child.

"Wisconsin was a truly great place to live, but now that I'm a parent, it was impossible to ignore a chance for our children to grow up around family and make Pittsburgh our home," Block said. "We are thrilled to have this opportunity to join the Pirates family."

Block replaces former Pirates play-by-play announcer Tim Neverett, who recently accepted a similar position for the Boston Red Sox.

"As an observer, I have long since been impressed with the Pirates organization, from their on-field smarts and success to their expansive community efforts. The Pirates have one of the most passionate fan bases in arguably the most passionate sports city in the country. I'm eager to be a part of all the great moments to come, on and off the field," Block said.

Cox Media Group