Most sportscasters who have been around a while have seen a mix of good and bad seasons from their team.
Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Greg Brown has seen far more of the latter. Since Brown assumed the Pirates’ TV play-by-play duties in 1994, the Pirates have had only four winning seasons.
But every baseball fan, player and broadcaster has high hopes for their team in spring training, and Brown shared his thoughts about 2025 with KDKA’s John Shumway this week.
First, understand that the Pirates, who finished 76-86 in 2024, had a quiet offseason that caused rumbling among fans. Their biggest move was signing veteran outfielder Tommy Pham, who had a 93 OPS+ last season and will turn 37 next month. And new first baseman Spencer Horwitz could be a pleasant surprise. Yet these are not Juan Soto or Alex Bregman-level acquisitions.
Given that, it’s no surprise most sportsbooks have the Pirates’ win total over/under pegged around 76.
Brown is expecting more.
“The Pirates are going to win this year, John,” Brown told Shumway. “With pitching, starting with the rotation and that bullpen, and there’s reason for optimism right there.”
“The attitude is important, and also listening to what they’re saying from top management on down. The word ‘win’ is being used a lot. They’re in win mode now, and I’ve not heard that since [general manager] Ben Cherington came on board.”
Granted, you would expect broadcasters for any team to be optimistic entering every season, but lest fans think Brown’s just parroting the company line, he makes some good points. The Pirates No. 1 starter, Paul Skenes, looked otherworldly on his way to Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, and the Bucs have him for the full season.
Fellow second-year pitcher Jared Jones looked great at times last year and veteran Mitch Keller is rock solid. There’s more starting depth behind them, including the expected debut of Bubba Chandler, the No. 15 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Closer David Bednar struggled in 2024 but is a two-time All-Star.
Question marks abound in the field at several positions. Can Ke’Bryan Hayes finally break through at the plate? Does talented Oneil Cruz have the superstar potential to carry a team? Can players such as second baseman Nick Gonzales and catcher Joey Bart take another step forward with the bat?
Brown believes that managers Derek Shelton, Cherington and the rest of the front office are convinced that this team can win.
“My job is not at stake based on wins and losses,” Brown said. “Theirs is, from upper management down, Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton. I mean, it’s out there. They have to win this year. So, believe me, they want to win.”
Brown first worked with the Pirates as a college intern in 1979, when the Pirates last won the World Series. After enduring so many losing seasons during his 31 years behind the mic, perhaps Brown deserves a deep postseason run from the Bucs.