CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Crowds gathered outside of Great American Ball Park early Saturday afternoon to celebrate the legacy of Marty Brennaman with a statue, honoring his 46 years of being the voice of the Cincinnati Reds.
Fans lined up early Saturday afternoon to get a chance at seeing Brennaman alongside his new statue.
Lifelong fan CR Wirthlin tells FOX19 NOW that Brennaman is who she associates with her love for the Reds.
“Marty was that voice, always, that you found companionship, that you found that brought the game to life for you, and I don’t know anybody else that could do that,” she said
She adds that when she wanted to keep up with the Reds’ score, she knew she could count on Marty.
“On radio, on TV, whether they’re here, whether they’re away, you know, when Red’s is in your blood, it’s in your blood,” she said. “And that’s just how it is.”
Mary Slover tells me she had the chance to work with Marty and wanted to make sure she was able to celebrate his big day.
“I’ve known him through a couple of years here, and it was really important that I got to sit here and say hi,” she said.
And as for his statue, she is happy with the way it turned out.
“It’s best to know him the way he was at the last he was here, I’m really grateful the Reds did this and giving this honor to Marty.”
Brennaman made a few remarks at the unveiling:
Johny Bench texted me this morning and reminded me, and i was going to include it anyway that he and Pete and Joe Morgan all said that this was the biggest thing that happened in their career, and they said it unabashedly that included being in the baseball hall of fame, that this was the single biggest thing. And I’m gonna be the fourth one to say that because this is bigger than anything I’ve ever dealt with, by way of personal recognition, and this could not have all happened for me had it not been for the acceptance of the great people in the city of Cincinnati who are Reds fans
Brennaman says that one thing is clear to him: His heart is in Cincinnati.
“I simply say, I love this city, I love the people in this town, and thank God I’m still around to enjoy all of it.”
Brennaman also mentioned in his speech that every time he had a chance to leave Cincinnati for a different opportunity, he turned it down because of how important this city and fan base were to him.
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