Braves announcer Pete Van Wieren retires

Atlanta Braves

Braves announcer Pete Van Wieren retires

Pete Van Wieren announced his retirement Tuesday after 33 years in the Braves booth.

Pete Van Wieren, who began his broadcasting career with the Atlanta Braves in 1976 along with late partner Skip Caray, announced his retirement Tuesday. Affectionately known as "The Professor" for his pre-game preparedness is leaving the Braves' booth after 33 years.

Van Wieren was part of Braves announcing group that included Joe Simpson (from left), Don Sutton, and the late Skip Caray.

Van Wieren missed only one game out of 162 last season when he had laryngitis. He joked that he actually broadcasted 34 years for the Braves because he called about 135 postseason games.

Van Wieren was the drummer (center) of his college band,"The Hustlers."

Van Wieren said his decision to retire was made before the death of longtime announcing partner Skip Caray. "It did reinforce my belief that I didn't want to work until I couldn't do it anymore," he said.

Van Wieren (left) was an announcer for a weekly bowling show for WINR-AM/TV in Binghamton, N.Y.

"Most of all I want to thank the fans," Van Wieren said during his departing press conference, stopping to clear his throat. "You can⿿t do this job successfully without a lot of support from the fans and they have been tremendously supportive of our broadcasts going back to 1976 my first year here."

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Pete Van Wieren, who began his broadcasting career with the Atlanta Braves in 1976 along with late partner Skip Caray, announced his retirement Tuesday. Affectionately known as "The Professor" for his pre-game preparedness is leaving the Braves' booth after 33 years.

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