PITTSBURGH – September 6, 2017 — AT&T SportsNet™ announced today that former Pirates World Series pitcher and current AT&T SportsNet analyst Kent Tekulve will retire from his broadcast duties at the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Pirates 2017 season. Tekulve, who began his television career with the network in 2008, has decided that it is time for retirement after a decade of providing analysis for Pirates Pre and Postgame shows.
“Teke has been a passionate presence in our broadcasts for the past 10 years and we are going to miss him,” said Shawn McClintock, General Manager of AT&T SportsNet. “On top of the firsthand major league knowledge he brings, his love of baseball is contagious on and off the air and we all learn something new in every broadcast. He has, without a doubt, made us all more passionate fans through his own enthusiasm. To respectfully borrow a phrase, “We are Family” and wish Teke a happy and healthy retirement.”
Tekulve signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates after graduating from Marietta College in 1969 and remained with the team through 1985. Known for his submarine pitching delivery, Teke was an extraordinary closer and helped the Pirates force a Game 7 in the 1979 World Series, which they then went on to win. During his 16 seasons in the Major Leagues, he posted a 2.85 ERA and saved 184 games. His best years as a closer were in 1978 and 1979 with the Pirates, when he recorded 31 saves each season.
Post-baseball retirement, Tekulve spent time as part of the Phillies television broadcast and later came back to Pittsburgh to serve as the Director of Operations for the Washington Wild Things. In 2006, he took a job as the Pittsburgh Pirates advanced scout, and shortly after joined the television home of the Pirates as an analyst. Though he will no longer be discussing the Pirates on television per say, he still plans to remain close to the team.
“These past ten years being connected with the Pirates pre- and post-game shows through FSN / ROOT Sports / AT&T have not only allowed me to stay connected to my team and the game but have also allowed me to reconnect with all of the Pirate fans in the Tri-State area after many years of being out of the public eye,” said Tekulve. “Their support of the shows and during my recent health issue was overwhelming.
“I have very much enjoyed being able to pass along to the fans some of the knowledge of the game that I acquired during my playing days. Working with all of the very talented production professionals, on and off camera, has been very satisfying and fulfilling. Their dedication to making each and every show “The best that it can possibly be” has made my job on camera so much easier and a blast to do.
“I could have never imagined, when as a nine-year-old I received my first baseball uniform and fell in love with the game of baseball that sixty-one years later I would still have the opportunity to be involved with it on a daily basis.
“I want to thank everyone involved with what I have been allowed to do for these past ten years for writing the perfect final chapter to my sixty-nine-year baseball odyssey.”
AT&T SportsNet will bid their goodbye to Tekulve by celebrating his distinguished career during every Sunday Pirates telecast throughout the rest of the season beginning on September 10th.
