Thursday, 07 May 2026

Bob Prince

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Commentators 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Baseball, Football & Hockey
Statistics & Accolades: National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame
Ford C. Frick Award
Pride of the Pirates Award
You can’t tell the story of the Pittsburgh Pirates without Bob Prince. In fact, it was Bob Prince who told some of the best parts of the story.

Prince was the lead broadcaster for the Bucs from 1948 to 1975 and a cultural icon in the Steel City. Owning a gravelly voice and fun personality, “Gunner” was perfect for hard-working Pittsburgh. He understood the fans and developed multiple “Gunnerisms”, such as “Kiss it goodbye” (calling a home run), and a “bloop and a blast” (signifying a rally). Prince, an unapologetic homer, developed relationships with the players, and his enthusiasm was contagious when the Pirates were on top. He also famously brought the “Green Weenie” to the stadium, a pickle-shaped plastic rattle designed to hex opponents.

As loved as he was by fans, management disagreed, and he was sacked in 1975, despite the pleas of fans and players alike. After his termination, he continued working, but it was never the same. He worked a year for the Houston Astros and a year for ABC’s Monday Night Baseball, but the network neutered what made him special. He had a triumphant return in 1985, but failing health limited him to only a handful of games, but the Pirates crowd welcomed him in his first game back with three standing ovations.

That is respect!

We are proud to nominate Bob Prince for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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