John Paul Wehner (pronounced "Way-ner") (born June 29, 1967) is an American former

utility player In sports, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently. Sports in which the term is often used include association football, basketball, American football, baseball, rugby union, rugby league, softball, ice hockey, and water ...

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) and a current broadcaster for the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

. His nickname is "Rock".

Career

A Pittsburgh native and graduate of

Carrick High School Carrick High School is a Public school (government funded), public school in the Carrick (Pittsburgh), Carrick neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. Carrick is one of ten high schools in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and one ...

, Wehner was drafted out of

Indiana University Indiana University (IU) is a state university system, system of Public university, public universities in the U.S. state of Indiana. The system has two core campuses, five regional campuses, and two regional centers under the administration o ...

by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1988 MLB draft and made his MLB debut on July 17,

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

. He was in the Pirates' organization, splitting his time between MLB and their minor league affiliates, through the 1996 season. In 1997 he joined the

Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park. The ...

as a bench player, staying there for two seasons before rejoining the Pirates in 1999. He retired from playing in 2001. He is known for hitting the final home run (in the bottom of the 5th), and also grounding into the final out in the history of

Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) ...

, both on 10-1-2000. In 11 seasons in MLB, Wehner compiled a .249 batting average with four home runs and 54 RBI in 461 games. He played every position except pitcher at least 3 times. He also shares the MLB record of 99 consecutive errorless games at third base with

Jeff Cirillo Jeffrey Howard Cirillo (born September 23, 1969) is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball. In a 14-season career, Cirillo was a .296 hitter with 112 home runs and 727 RBI in 1617 games. He was named an All-Star in and . He ...

and has a

World Series ring A World Series ring is an award given to Major League Baseball players who win the World Series. Since only one Commissioner's Trophy is awarded to the team, a World Series ring is an individual award that players and staff of each World Series ...

with the Florida Marlins for the 1997 season.

Broadcasting

After retiring from playing, Wehner took a job as

hitting coach In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, who determines the starting lineup and batting order, decides how to substitute players during the game, and makes strategy decisi ...

for the

Altoona Curve The Altoona Curve are a Minor League Baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve (but also alluding to the curveball, a type of pitch). The team plays in the Eastern League and is the Double-A affiliate of ...

, a Pirates minor league affiliate, and held that position from

2002 The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...

through

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

. In

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

he began working as a

color commentator A color commentator or expert commentator is a sports commentator who assists the main (play-by-play) commentator, typically by filling in when play is not in progress. The person may also be referred to as a summariser (outside North America) ...

for

AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP) is an American regional sports network serving Greater Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania. Jointly owned by Fenway Sports Group and Robert Nutting via the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates respectively, it s ...

and the Pirates Radio Network.

References

External links

MLB.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wehner, John 1967 births Living people Altoona Curve players American expatriate baseball players in Canada Baseball coaches from Pennsylvania Baseball players from Pittsburgh Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Calgary Cannons players Carolina Mudcats players Charlotte Knights players Florida Marlins players Harrisburg Senators players Indiana Hoosiers baseball players Leones del Caracas players American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Major League Baseball outfielders Major League Baseball third basemen Minor league baseball coaches Nashville Sounds players Pittsburgh Pirates announcers Pittsburgh Pirates players Salem Buccaneers players Watertown Pirates players

Career

Broadcasting

See also

References

External links