Watch CBS News

Pirates Broadcaster Neverett Took Leap Of Faith

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - It's not just players that bought into a belief that the Pirates would eventually change. A Pirates broadcaster was willing to move 1,451 miles to see what he referred to as a 'great renaissance.'

Tim Neverett joined the Pirates' broadcast team in December of 2008, following time doing pre-and-post game with the Colorado Rockies, including the post-season in 2007.

Neverett joined a team that was coming off a fourth consecutive 90-plus loss season. So, when did he know it might change?

"I think it was the first day I met Greg Brown," Neverett said. "He and I were talking outside of the ballpark and he said, 'You came at a good time, things are going to turn around,' and he was right."

But, it didn't happen at first. They lost 294 games in his first three seasons calling Pirates baseball.

"I remember my first Winter Caravan, someone in Altoona asked me where I parked the bus because they thought I was the bus driver," Neverett said. "When they found out what I did, they asked me when the Pirates were going to spend money."

Neverett said he didn't doubt it would change. Both Neverett and General Manager Neal Huntington are New Hampshire natives. He knew about Huntington and believed he was in Pittsburgh for a reason.

"The first couple of years, Piratefest was tough because people had certain expectations. They just wanted to compete. They would yell at you from afar, saying 'dumb' things," he said. "Now, everywhere you go it's 'Let's Go Bucs.' They slap you on the back saying, 'Way to go,' as if I had something to do with it."

Neverett says he enjoys seeing the younger fans, the elementary, high school and college-aged kids. Watching them dress up like Pirates with eye patches, tri-corner hats and things like that.

He remembered last year with games in Cincinnati where you could hear the "Let's Go Bucs" chants.

When they played an Interleague game in Cleveland and a third of the stadium wore black and gold. Or, the games in Tampa Bay, that were like a home game.

"It's been a transformation when you travel around the league," Neverett said. "The first couple of years, people are like, 'Thanks for coming and giving us a couple of wins.' Now, it's, 'Boy you guys are tough, that guy is good. We don't know how we are going to beat you.' It's very different."

Like The Fan On Facebook
Follow The Fan On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.