For the better part of the past five decades, on radio and television, Stan Savran provided some of the most insightful commentary on the Pittsburgh professional sports scene.
Within hours of his death at age 76 on Monday, it became clear how far his voice had reached.
In addition to remembrances of Savran from fans and colleagues, the city’s three major pro franchises offered their condolences via social media.
Savran began providing thoughtful commentary on the Steelers in the middle of their Super Bowl dynasty years in the 1970s. Most recently, he hosted the Steelers Radio Network postgame show.
“Today is a sad day in the City of Pittsburgh as we lost a legendary person, media icon and close friend with the passing of Stan Savran,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “He was a gentleman in every way possible, and he did so much for our city and Western Pa. with his honest candor and knowledge of all sports.”
A longtime host of pregame and postgame Pirates coverage, Savran was inducted into the team’s Media Wall of Fame in 2018.
“Stan poured his heart into covering Pittsburgh sports,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “No one was more knowledgeable, more fair or more honest. He was a true professional who was universally respected for his journalistic integrity. Stan was Pittsburgh sports legend whose legacy will live on within the hearts of all Pittsburgh sports fans and all of us who knew him. He will be missed.”
In addition to pregame and postgame hosting duties, Savran was also known for breaking one of the biggest stories in Pittsburgh sports history when he revealed in 2000 that Mario Lemieux was planning a comeback.
“Stan Savran, Pittsburgh broadcasting legend, delivered some of the best announcements in Penguins history,” the Penguins said in a message on the team’s Twitter account. “He was a friend and a true professional at his craft. As long-time listeners, who loved the show, we will miss you, Stan.”
“RIP Stan Savran” was trending throughout Pennsylvania on Monday night.
Thousands of social media users shared their sorrow at hearing the news and saying how much his voice will be missed and how Pittsburgh sports media will not be the same.
Stan Savran, Pittsburgh broadcasting legend, delivered some of the best announcements in Penguins history. He was a friend and a true professional at his craft.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 13, 2023
As long-time listeners, who loved the show, we will miss you, Stan. pic.twitter.com/7iVW1j4N0c
#Steelers President Art Rooney II on the passing of Stan Savran: pic.twitter.com/AeUJ9K9Nrf
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 13, 2023
We loved the show, but more importantly, Stan, we loved you. pic.twitter.com/ULDNyFkNlS
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 13, 2023
Stan Savran worked until the very last day he could. If he couldn't host/be on TV, then he'd call in. Just because he wanted to. Because he enjoyed it. Everyday. He really liked talking with every single listener/viewer. Stan, we all loved the show... and everyone loved you.
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) June 13, 2023
Saddened to hear of the passing of Stan Savran, one of the last Pittsburgh media icons. He was a voice of reason on the airwaves, a trait that seems to be in short supply these days. He was fair, opinionated and had a great sense of humor. It's an honor to have known him. RIP.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) June 13, 2023
Seeing so many tributes and kind words about Stan Savran. I can't say I can articulate anything any better, but I feel compelled to try.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) June 13, 2023
Stan was a Pittsburgh sports media icon before I was born.
...
Stan Savran was so appreciative that I took this photo of him interviewing Mario Lemieux.
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) June 13, 2023
We lost a sportscasting legend in Stan, who shared his love and passion for Pittsburgh sports on air.
And he was even better in person.
Stan, we didn’t just love the show.
We loved you. pic.twitter.com/ctgI03DrlY
RIP Stan Savran. Not just a Pittsburgh media icon but a Pittsburgh icon, period. A good friend, true peer and thoroughly good man. It’s a honor to have known& worked with him. “Love the show” will long be remembered. Stan did it right.
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) June 13, 2023
Really gonna miss talking to my friend Stan every day. Couldn’t have respected or admired him any more. I’ve never seen someone suffer with such grace. And his self-deprecating humor made me laugh HARD. An excellent broadcaster, a brilliant sports mind & just an all class human.
— Bill Crawford (@dveBillCrawford) June 13, 2023
Hard to describe how gutting this is for all of us. He was so much more than a co-worker and friend. We loved Stan dearly, like so many did pic.twitter.com/LfAPpQD3U2
— Randy Baumann (@DVERandy) June 13, 2023
I interned with Stan and Guy before my junior year of college. If everyone in Pittsburgh sports media had interned there at age 19, the business would be in a better place. Stan was all class. He will be dearly missed.
— Jonathan Bombulie (@BombulieTrib) June 13, 2023
RIP Stan Savran. He was always very respectful, easy to talk with and a true professional whenever he had me on his show or I would see him at games. Tough loss for Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh sports and media. #ripgodfather
— Derek Schooley (@derekschooley) June 13, 2023
Just reading thru the hundreds of posts from as many Pgh sports fans as peers of his. Stan was a landmark in a town that just lives for it's teams. He covered them all and was part of a great team of his own. Stan & Guy made sports fun. He'll be missed by so many.
— Bill Cash (@BillCash959) June 13, 2023
Heart broken over this. Thank you Stan. Thank you for being such a great teammate and friend. Helpful, happy, smart and a pros pro. A Pittsburgh legends. So thankful to have been on your team. #TheGodfather https://t.co/GzTMlIerrx
— Colby Armstrong (@armdog) June 13, 2023
Saddened to learn of the passing of the great Stan Savran. One of the best to ever do it.
— Mario Lemieux (@MarioLemieuxFdn) June 13, 2023
Love the show. https://t.co/CIgmDLNLHm
Stan Savran
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) June 13, 2023
Words cannot express how much you meant to me and my family. I will truly miss you on air, as you made my job a whole heck of alot easier. More than anything, the talks we had offline. I will be forever grateful to you! THANK YOU for being a…https://t.co/Z2YivEq8Cs
Another Pittsburgh media giant lost, & a great guy to boot. His fans loved him and so did all of us in the business. Stan Savran upheld the highest form of journalism - he reported fairly, held those accountable, and told it all in an entertaining way. I was thrilled to know him https://t.co/JHWH8wIg8y
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) June 13, 2023
So sad to hear of the passing of Stan Savran. Words can’t do him justice. It was an honor to work with him for nearly 30 years. A true pro, the most dedicated worker, made everyone around him better, knew everything about every sport, funny, and the kindest man. Such a loss.
— Val Porter (@DVEValPorter) June 13, 2023
Grew up here, watching/listening to Stan Savran. Blew my dad away that I got to be on the radio w/Stan. Never felt worthy myself.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) June 13, 2023
Same time, Stan made you feel comfortable. A broadcasting legend who didn’t act like it. Warm. Welcoming. The best.
RIP, Godfather.
Legendary Pittsburgh sports broadcaster Stan Savran dies
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 13, 2023
Sad to hear this. Stan was an exemplary sports journalist & all around good person. https://t.co/w4hfzu0sA3
From the sheer amount of responses and respect, it’s obvious that Pittsburghers loved the show.
