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SAUNDERS: Neverett will call Pirates on TV, radio

By Dusty Saunders, Special to the Rocky

Published December 21, 2008 at 10:47 p.m.

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On Dec. 13, 1942, Sammy Baugh intercepts a Bears pass in his own end zone as his Redskins avenged 1940's loss to the Bears with a 14-6 NFL title game win.

Photo by Associated Press / File

On Dec. 13, 1942, Sammy Baugh intercepts a Bears pass in his own end zone as his Redskins avenged 1940's loss to the Bears with a 14-6 NFL title game win.

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When it comes to high public profiles in local sports broadcasting, Tim Neverett can't compare to the likes of Vic Lombardi, Drew Goodman or Irv and Joe.

But, in Neverett's case, a lower profile doesn't mean a lack of talent.

The Pittsburgh Pirates organization, aware of his abilities, has hired the 42-year-old Neverett as a play-by-play TV-radio announcer, starting in the 2009 season.

Pirates president Frank Coonelly, citing Neverett's ability and experience, said the team conducted an "exhaustive search" that included more than 200 candidates.

Thus, Neverett has come full circle because he's "returning home" to the Pirates.

At age 19, Neverett began his broadcasting career calling games of the Nashua (N.H.) Pirates, a Double-A Pittsburgh farm club.

"I was a summer intern at the station when I was asked to fill in on play-by-play," Neverett recalled.

"Eventually, I was in the booth regularly."

Neverett, a "pretty fair" second baseman, had to make a decision - play games or broadcast them.

"I think I made the right decision," he added.

If Neverett's local profile is relatively low, his resume is filled with a wide variety of broadcasting work in Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Locally, Neverett has been working for FSN Rocky Mountain as a pregame and postgame studio host and a part-time play-by play announcer for the Rockies.

Neverett also handles college play-by-play for regional telecasts for the Mountain West Conference and on Versus, the national sports cable network.

He was with NBC during Olympics coverage in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

Denver sports-talk work includes hosting shows on KLZ-AM (560), formerly the local ESPN Radio outlet, and more recently on Mile High Sports Radio (1510-AM).

Neverett credits FSN Rocky Mountain baseball producer Ken Miller for clearing the path to Pittsburgh.

"Ken informed me last fall about the opening and then gave me a splendid recommendation. "

Two years ago, Miller told Neverett about a job opening in the Milwaukee Brewers announcing booth. Neverett was one of two finalists, losing out to Brian Anderson, who gained TBS playoff exposure last fall.

DESCRIBING THE BRONCOS: At least Denver provided late-afternoon excitement for CBS viewers.

Now the electronic talking heads will have their say before Sunday's regular-season "must win" finale in San Diego.

You'll hear predictable phrases like "the Broncos collapsed" and "the team choked when it should have clinched."

And here's one I should copyright: "The Chargers are salivating - and celebrating."

THE SOUND OF HOOPS: I switched back and forth Friday night during the Nuggets-Cavaliers coverage on Altitude and ESPN.

The crowd noise on ESPN was at a much higher decibel level than on Altitude.

Did ESPN hype the sound? Or was it a case of the cable network having better audio capabilities?

HOW 'BOUT THOSE COWBOYS? The NFL Network, obviously with a lot of time on its TV hands, dedicated 17 consecutive programming hours to Dallas and Texas Stadium, before Saturday night's Cowboys-Ravens finale in the stadium.

Wonder if any dedicated Cowboys watched most of this lengthy "pregame"?

YEAR IN REVIEW: Skyrocketing ticket prices for pro sporting events, excessive drinking at NFL stadiums, the slaughter of thoroughbred racehorses - these are among the intriguing topics covered on HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel (premiering at 8 p.m. Tuesday), which looks at the 2008 sports scene.

PIGSKIN MEMORIES: Too bad NFL fans weren't able to regularly view the sensational exploits of the late Sammy Baugh on television.

The fabled Redskins quarterback did get national exposure once on radio in 1940, when the Mutual Network, with Red Barber at the microphone, covered the NFL championship game for 24 stations around the country.

The Bears embarrassed the Redskins 73-0 in Washington's Griffith Stadium.

Early in the game, with the Redskins trailing 7-0, Baugh threw a pass dropped by receiver Charley Malone in the end zone that would have given Washington a 7-7 tie.

In a radio interview following the game, Baugh was asked if the completed touchdown pass would have made a difference. Quipped Baugh: "Sure. The final score would have been 73-7."

Dusty Saunders writes periodically about sports broadcasting. Contact him at tvtime@Comcast.net.

Comments

  • December 22, 2008

    3:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gkb2008 writes:

    Dusty is so old he personally remembers watching Sammy Baugh play...Does Dusty ever watch any hockey ? In all the years he has done this column, he has dedicated little thought about the NHL or the triple power of college hockey here along the Front Range...Nice information about Tim Neverette, but who are the candidates to replace him on local radion and on the MWC broadcasts ? And speaking of the MWC, does Dusty have any opinions or insights on the telecasts of the games of our local regional sports conference by their own network, the Mtn ? Does Dusty even have a satellite package so he can more completely watch sports than what is offered on the moribund Comcast package ?

  • December 22, 2008

    11:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BigRich writes:

    "The Chargers are salivating - and celebrating."
    Oooh, good one, Dusty. I laughed 'til beer came out my nose!

    Speaking of Irv and Joe, which station are the on? (Hint: it's a trick question. Denver doesn't have a "KPEN" Radio.)