Just another ‘rookie’ in camp
Former pitcher Brault breaks into the SportsNet Pittsburgh lineup
BRADENTON, Fla. — The first page of the tiny blue notebook Steven Brault was carrying Friday morning was missing. Obtained at an MLB Players’ Association alumni event, it offered advice on how to get a job after baseball, so Brault tore it out and recycled it.
The former left-handed pitcher already has a postplaying job. One he’s been dreaming about for years, as a matterof fact.
Hired by SportsNet Pittsburgh to join the network’s pregame and postgame coverage during the regular season, Brault arrived at LECOM Park to get his broadcasting feet wet, visiting with some familiar faces and walking around the ballpark with regular sideline reporter Hannah Mears.
Brault even hopped on the broadcast for a bit, as the Pirates hosted the Minnesota Twins in Grapefruit League action. He dished on his playing days and was impressively current with the storylines surrounding this year’s team.
“I was really nervous because it’s a weird feeling to be back,” Brault said. “I’m excited … even though I know I’m on the other side now. There are some nerves, but then I see all these guys I’ve knownfor years.
“I’ve got a smile on my face, and I get to have the same conversations. It has helped me feela lot more comfortable.”
Brault pitched for the Pirates from 2016-21, going 1218 in 107 games (57 starts). He had a 4.77 ERA and 291 strikeouts in 343 1/3 innings and for a time looked like he would have a chance to be a two-way player.
But in the spring before COVID-19 happened, Brault incurred the first of several left lat/shoulder injuries that would ultimately cut short his career.
Brault is thrilled to have those days behind him. In fact, the 31-year-old said he picked up a baseball-sized rock on his honeymoon this winter and threw it. One toss torpedoed any thoughts he might’ve had ofa comeback.
“It did not feel good, let’s just say that,” Brault said, cracking up. “I wanna make sure my arm is usable for when we have kids and I can play catch with them. So, I’m gonna give the arm a break and use [my face] for a little while.”
It’s only been one day, but it already seems like a smart move by Brault, who looks like a natural.
Before arriving in Bradenton, Brault joked with the beat writers that he had been reading every word of their coverage. It showed. Brault was clearly aware of what’s been happening with Roansy Contreras, as well as Ke’Bryan Hayes, Liover Peguero, Rowdy Tellez and others in Saturday’s lineup.
Ever since he was hired for his first broadcasting job, Brault said he made a promise to himself to be authentic. That he would dedicate the time and not just act like some former player who knows everything.
“I know I’m on the other side now, but I want to make sure that I’m not taking any liberties with that kind of trust,” Brault said. “It’s been funso far.”
Before he was hired, Brault —whose dream remains playby-play, not color commentary or a studio role — would announce one game per day, researching ahead of time, keeping score and calling the action by himself.
He has since expanded that drill to include reading about baseball history, Pirates history and obviously current events.
“Iknow Pittsburgh loves its older Pirates, so I understand that’s part of learning and getting myself into the culture even more,” Brault said. “It’s fun. It’s like being back in school. It’s a lot of research. It’s a lot of looking things up online, watching videos and taking notes. I have a little notebook with me. This is normal stuff now.”
How SportsNet Pittsburgh uses Brault should be fun to watch. He’ll fill in for Mears on Sunday. Brault and Michael McKenry will also be regular parts of the pregame and postgame shows, breaking down the pitcher-catcher dynamic with unique, first person experience.
Brault said making the transition has been helped by knowing the layout of LECOM Park, the personalities within the Pirates and how things operate. While walking around the facility on Friday, Brault chatted with manager Derek Shelton, Andrew McCutchen, Hayes and others.
“He has the voice and personality for that,” McCutchen said of Brault. “It’s good to see him. I’m sure he’ll give some good insight, probably throw in some good jokes when he gets comfortable. It’ll be some thing good for him.”
After spending the winter meetings in December networking, reaching out to teams, meeting with them and pitching himself, Brault finally landed something with his most regular — and favorite — former employer. One that also happened to be expanding its TV coverage on a nascent station.
The stars most definitely aligned for the vocal performance major at Regis University, the only pitcher in history to also put out a Broadway album.
“We had perfect timing,” Brault said. “Now I get to be here and do what I want to do with the team I want to do it with. It’s fun.”