Former Cincinnati Reds closer and current broadcaster for the team Jeff Brantley will help bring the season to town as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Opening Day Parade. Brantley pitched for the Reds from 1994-1997, going 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves in 185 appearances for the club. This season marks the 30th anniversary of his 1996 season, where he tied for the major league lead in saves, with 44. He earned the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year that year for his efforts.His 44 saves that season are still the most in a single season for a Reds closer. Over his time in Cincinnati, Brantley went 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and saved 88 games in 185 appearances. He also had stints with San Francisco (6 seasons), Philadelphia (2), St. Louis (1) and Texas (1).Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the founding partner of Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, is this year’s honorary Grand Marshal. He was appointed as the Reds’ team physician in 1996 and has also served as the team’s medical director and chief orthopedic surgeon.Drafted out of Mississippi State, Brantley was a four-year letterwinner and named a first-team All-American in 1985.In his 14 year career in the big leagues, “the Cowboy” was named to one All-Star Game, in 1990 with the Giants, and finished with 172 career saves and a 11.3 Wins Above Replacement, as calculated by Baseball Reference.Reds fans may know him better for his post-playing career. Since 2006, Brantley has been a commentator for the Reds on both radio and television broadcasts. He’s worked alongside Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman and Tommy Thrall during his time on the Reds Radio Network.Before joining the Reds broadcast teams, he did national broadcast work. After his retirement at the end of the 2001 season, he joined ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” studio show and was part of several telecasts for the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.Earlier this year, Brantley was named the National Sports Media Association’s Ohio Sportscaster of the Year. A native of Hoover, Alabama, Huntley will also be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame this May.He’s been honored by former clubs, too: At San Francisco’s Oracle Park, he’s enshrined on the Giants’ Walk of Fame and he’s a member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, where his uniform number—No. 8—is retired.The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will step off at 12 p.m. with a procession of floats, bands and surprise guests to celebrate the return of baseball in the Queen City.The Reds will take on the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, March 26 to open the 2026 season. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m.
CINCINNATI —
Former Cincinnati Reds closer and current broadcaster for the team Jeff Brantley will help bring the season to town as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Opening Day Parade.
Brantley pitched for the Reds from 1994-1997, going 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves in 185 appearances for the club.
This season marks the 30th anniversary of his 1996 season, where he tied for the major league lead in saves, with 44. He earned the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year that year for his efforts.
His 44 saves that season are still the most in a single season for a Reds closer.
Over his time in Cincinnati, Brantley went 11-11 with a 2.64 ERA and saved 88 games in 185 appearances. He also had stints with San Francisco (6 seasons), Philadelphia (2), St. Louis (1) and Texas (1).
Dr. Timothy Kremchek, the founding partner of Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, is this year’s honorary Grand Marshal. He was appointed as the Reds’ team physician in 1996 and has also served as the team’s medical director and chief orthopedic surgeon.
Drafted out of Mississippi State, Brantley was a four-year letterwinner and named a first-team All-American in 1985.
In his 14 year career in the big leagues, “the Cowboy” was named to one All-Star Game, in 1990 with the Giants, and finished with 172 career saves and a 11.3 Wins Above Replacement, as calculated by Baseball Reference.
Reds fans may know him better for his post-playing career. Since 2006, Brantley has been a commentator for the Reds on both radio and television broadcasts. He’s worked alongside Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman and Tommy Thrall during his time on the Reds Radio Network.
Before joining the Reds broadcast teams, he did national broadcast work. After his retirement at the end of the 2001 season, he joined ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” studio show and was part of several telecasts for the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006.
Earlier this year, Brantley was named the National Sports Media Association’s Ohio Sportscaster of the Year. A native of Hoover, Alabama, Huntley will also be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame this May.
He’s been honored by former clubs, too: At San Francisco’s Oracle Park, he’s enshrined on the Giants’ Walk of Fame and he’s a member of the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, where his uniform number—No. 8—is retired.
The annual Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will step off at 12 p.m. with a procession of floats, bands and surprise guests to celebrate the return of baseball in the Queen City.
The Reds will take on the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, March 26 to open the 2026 season. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m.