PITTSBURGH (PTTP) – It’s not often a beloved sports player gets a second shot in the city their fans are from, and it’s even less often that it’s in a completely different role. Not often, but not impossible. Enter Michael McKenry, former MLB catcher for the Rockies, Pirates, and Cardinals, and a former fan favorite in the Steel City. “Fort” McKenry’s career was not the longest, serving as a journeyman depth piece for most of his time in the majors, seeing his most playing time whilst with the Buccos. However, in that time, he became something valuable – a catcher that earned the trust of his pitchers. McKenry’s greatest strength wasn’t necessarily his contribution to the box score, but his eyes and what he saw while on the diamond.
The catcher position is often referred to as the captain of the defense in baseball. The position involves a multitude of considerations, from pitch sequencing to game calling, from reading hitters to managing pitcher emotion, and a remarkable amount in between. The catcher sees more of the diamond and must understand the game. McKenry did, which assisted in his transition after he retired into the broadcast booth, and his return to Pittsburgh.
McKenry now works as a color commentator for the Buccos, making the invisible visible. He uses his time on the team to explain the game within the game to his audience, opening new angles for baseball fans across the country. McKenry has turned his skill into a brand new talent – sportscasting, which has allowed him to once again become a beloved figure within the Steel City.