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 ...
in
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.
See also
*
Pittsburgh Pirates broadcasters and media
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