Rochester York
A Voice for the Braves for 33 years, Pete Van Wieren has seen the highs and lows of a franchise that transformed baseball in Atlanta. Since retiring after the 2008 season, Pete has written a book called Of Mikes and Men: A Lifetime of Braves Baseball in which he chronicles his long career and some of the key people and events he encountered along the way. The book is published by Triumph Books.
Pete has been the voice of the Braves since the early days of the TBS SuperStation and has been a great influence on all baseball fans, with his insights, wisdom and ability to educate through his undaunted research and preparation.
Right off the bat in the book, we find out that Pete was destined to be a baseball announcer. He played the game as a young man growing up near Rochester New York, and attended numerous Rochester Red Wings games, at the time an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He would watch the broadcasters climb the tiny staircase to the top of the stadium and knew that it was for him.
No one can deny that he had the skill and talent to ascend to the level of one of the most cherished announcers in the game. Pete discusses a few of the key individuals who had major roles in the 33 years that he was in Atlanta.
After some minor league stints, he was snapped up by Ted Turner as part of the broadcast team with Ernie Johnson and Skip Caray back in 1975. He was also tapped to do some additional duties in those days, including Hawks basketball and even Traveling Secretary for the Braves. Pete considers Ted Turner to be one of the easiest people to work for, as his style was to give you a job (or two) and then get out of the way.
Turner had the foresight to start presenting baseball across the country on cable television, which helped to grow the popularity of the Braves beyond the local market, no matter the play on the field. One crucial marketing decision that Pete points out was the 1:00 am replay, which coincides with late evening on the west coast and even prime time in places like Hawaii. This ensured Braves fans would be in the stands at ballparks wherever they played!
Turner went against conventional wisdom, against many of his fellow owners, and even against the commissioner. Bowie Kuhn thought broadcasting baseball into other markets would be "the ruination of baseball". In the end, the Braves attracted larger crowds at the gate and eventually saw the current Commissioner Bud Selig say that it changed the way baseball was viewed forever.
Another person that he addresses is Manager Bobby Cox. Pete has had the great fortune of seeing all of the Cox era with the Braves, and got numerous opportunities to speak with him directly about baseball, particularly on the road over a cup of coffee. It is an intriguing question to ponder whether Cox appreciates and reflects upon his own place in baseball history, and Pete points out that he does but "is embarrassed by it" mostly. He would prefer to talk about the specifics of a recent game itself, not what he has accomplished in his career.
Future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux was a big part of the success that the Braves had during Pete's time behind the mic. Maddux is such an interesting study in how outstanding pitching can be achieved. Pete cannot help readers understand the mental approach from the star pitcher, as he declares that Greg is such a competitor that he would never share that type of information with anyone! Maybe one day fans might get a book from Maddux, or they will have to study the works of Greg's pitching coach brother Mike.
Pete also points out that it was one of the greatest benefits of his job, to have been the broadcaster for a starting rotation with Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz plus a cast of other formidable pitchers. There will never be another rotation like it again.
Pete has some advice to young fans who might be interested in having a greater understanding and appreciation of the game of baseball. Pete's advice goes beyond a particular player and instead points to getting some knowledge of baseball during certain eras. For example, how the game developed and changed from one with no home runs to one with Babe Ruth in it. Seek out information about war time baseball, expansion, the golden age of the 40's and 50's etc. Pete believes that having a solid understanding of the development of the game would help a young fan appreciate what is on the field today!
Pete Van Wieren's book Of Mikes and Men: A Lifetime of Braves Baseball is a great read for Atlanta Braves fans or any fan of the game of baseball. It is available wherever good books are sold.
Joe Magennis is the Host of the Cover the Bases Podcast for Baseballisms.com. Each week another baseball book author joins him to discuss their latest works, and provide some behind the scenes insight into their work. Take part with your own Baseball Story. Submit your own personal story for inclusion in an upcoming Baseballisms Collection by visiting http://Baseballisms.com/upload-your-own.
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