In a sports-crazed town like Pittsburgh, fans are heavily invested in their teams. Through playoff seasons and losing campaigns, their spirits rise and fall with the quality of play on the field.

Just as much a part of the game are the broadcasters who deliver the color and play-by-play. Bob Prince, Myron Cope and Mike Lange became institutions nearly as large as the athletes they covered. In their ranks belongs Lanny Frattare, who stunned Pirates fans Wednesday by announcing his retirement.

Mr. Frattare, 60, was a fixture in the team's broadcast booth for 33 years and more than 5,000 games -- the longest broadcasting reign in Pirates history. His career was not built on a flashy persona or quaint idiosyncrasies, but with a golden voice and a friendly delivery that were as smooth as a balmy summer night.

Like other announcers, Mr. Frattare had his trademark lines -- "Go ball, get outta here" for home runs and "There was nooooo doubt about it" for a Pirates win. But at the heart of his work was a zest for the game, unbowed by the team's fortunes, that infected his listeners both young and old.

As the Pirates strive for that elusive winning season, they also must find a successor who can score at the microphone. The team and the fans will miss Lanny Frattare, there can be no doubt about that.