Spring Training marks the unofficial end of winter, but the Pirates' broadcast team on Thursday included a voice that is most familiar to fans of a game played on the ice.
Mike "Doc" Emrick, the lead announcer for National Hockey League telecasts for NBC, took part in a pinch-broadcasting stint at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. Emrick joined in for the KDKA-FM call of the Pirates against the Blue Jays, and he said his day at the ballpark was a nice change of pace.
"I've got an energy boost now that I'm here with you guys and watching baseball," he said on the broadcast.