Longtime Braves broadcaster Pete Van Wieren dies at 69
Pete Van Wieren, who broadcast Braves games for 33 years, died Saturday morning after a long battle with cancer, the team confirmed.
Van Wieren and partner Skip Carey called games together for all 33 of those seasons (1976-2008), including the team's nationally-broadcast games on TBS. Skip Caray died six years ago on Sunday.
"He was a great friend, colleague and mentor," said current Braves broadcaster Chip Caray, Skip's son. "He was a true professional and a tremendous man. I learned more from Pete about broadcasting than I did from anybody else. I will always be grateful for the time we shared together."
Van Wieren's family said he died peacefully while resting at his suburban Atlanta home.
"The Atlanta Braves are deeply saddened by the passing of Pete Van Wieren," read a team statement. "He was such a large and important part of our organization. We and all of our fans across Braves Country fondly remember his soothing voice calling our games for 33 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Elaine, his children and his grandchildren."
Van Wieren, known as "The Professor" because of his meticulous preparation, was born in Rochester, N.Y., and was a Cornell University graduate.
- Chris Mascaro
