With his retirement approaching, the Cincinnati Reds are revealing plans to recognize the final weeks of Marty Brennaman’s 46-year career as their play-by-play broadcaster.
“Having Marty Brennaman’s incredible career come to a close as we are concluding our 150th year of Reds baseball is pretty special,” said Phil Castellini, Reds President and COO.
Brennaman’s final game broadcast is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, September 26, 2019.*
“It was important to me that my last regular season broadcast happened at home, so I won’t go to Pittsburgh with the team to finish the season,” said Marty Brennaman.
Some of the many activities at the ballpark include Marty visiting with fans on the concourses at Great American Ball Park before the games on September 3, 4, and 7.
For three games in September, Marty will appear at a temporary radio booth at Gapper’s Alley directly behind section 119, including a full game broadcast on Friday, Sept. 20.
• Game Broadcast: Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:10 p.m.
• Pre-Game Broadcast: Tuesday, Sept. 24 (gates open at 5:40 p.m.)
• Pre-Game Broadcast: Wednesday, Sept. 25 (gates open at 5:40 p.m.)
“The idea is to bring Marty out of the booth and amongst the fans at Great American Ball Park,” said Castellini. “Watching Marty host the radio pre-game show or call an inning will be an unforgettable experience for our fans.”
Final Regular Season Series, Sept. 24-26
As part of his final regular season series, Marty’s son, Thom Brennaman, will join him in the radio booth for the entire game broadcast on Wednesday, Sept. 25. And, for the games on Tuesday and Thursday, Sept. 24 and 26, Marty will be joined by his regular radio partner, Jeff Brantley.
“I wanted my final game to be business as usual, doing the broadcast from the booth. It is going to be very emotional for me and I want to savor every moment,” said Brennaman.
At the game on September 26, the first 20,000 fans will receive a Reds transistor radio so they can hear Marty’s call of the game while in park.
“We are grateful to our partners at 700 WLW who are eliminating the delay for Marty’s final game which will allow fans in the park to hear Marty’s calls in real-time as they are watching the plays LIVE,” said Castellini.
Post-game on field “Marty-Party”: At the conclusion of the game on Thursday, Sept. 26, all fans will be invited onto the field at Great American Ball Park to take part in a special program honoring Marty, who will be on stage with Jim Day at the pitcher’s mound.
September 24-26 Giveaways
• Tuesday, Sept. 24 – Marty Brennaman Oversized Replica Ticket presented by Humana
Replica ticket from Marty’s first Reds broadcast on April 4, 1974, to the first 20,000 fans.
• Wednesday, Sept. 25 – Commemorative Marty Brennaman Print presented by Clark Schaefer Hackett
Print celebrating Marty’s selection as the 2020 Reds Hall of Fame Inductee to the first 20,000 fans.
•Thursday, Sept. 26 – Reds Handheld Radio presented by Kroger and Laura’s Lean Beef
Transistor radio with earbuds to the first 20,000 fans. Fans will be able to tune to 94.5 FM from their seats in the ballpark to listen to Marty’s farewell call.
*NOTE: Should the Reds be in postseason contention, Marty Brennaman will continue to broadcast through the end of the regular season and any postseason games.
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