The Cincinnati Reds close out their home schedule in 2019 as Marty Brennaman retires from his broadcasting career.
The last time listeners got to hear Marty Brennaman say “and this one belongs to the Reds!” was when Cincinnati defeated the New York Mets 3-2 on Saturday, September 21.
The Cincinnati Reds lost what felt like in the hearts of fans and listeners across the nation their biggest game of the season. After holding down a red-hot Brewers lineup through the first three innings, Reds ace Luis Castillo unraveled in the fourth by giving up four runs and the team ultimately lost the game, 5-3.
Castillo walked the first two batters in the top of the fourth, which prompted a quick mound visit. The Reds gained some leverage by getting the next two batters out via a strikeout and a 3-6 fielder’s choice. Yasmani Grandal stood at third base and Cory Spangenberg occupied first before swiping second base.
Travis Shaw drew a walk to load the bases for Orlando Arcia, who laced a double that bounced in and out of left fielder Josh VanMeter’s glove. This scored all three Brewers baserunners, putting the Crew ahead for good.
Ben Gamel drove in Arcia for the Brewers’ fourth run. In the top of the next inning, Manny Pina doubled down left field, driving in Yasmani Grandal. On the relay, Jose Iglesias gunned down a hustling Keston Hiura at home, who was attempting to score from first.
The Reds scored their runs in three different innings. Aristedes Aqunio hit a home run in the bottom half of the first for his 18th of the season. The team then tried to rally in the bottom of the sixth when Phillip Ervin doubled and Kyle Farmer hit an RBI-single. The final Reds hurrah attempt came in the bottom of the eighth when Phillip Ervin doubled again, followed by Jose Iglesias doubling and driving in Ervin on the play.
It just seemed that the Reds could not string together the big hits when they needed them. They out-hit the Brewers, 9-5, yet could not do it in a fashion that led to runs being scored. It is also difficult when the final one-and-a-third innings came against a talented left-hander in Josh Hader. He struck out two and did not allow a hit in his work, earning the save.
The Aristedes Aquino home run in the bottom of the first was a record-breaking one for the Cincinnati Reds. It was the team’s 223rd total home run of the year, breaking the record the 2005 ballclub set.
Cincinnati will close out their up-and-down 2019 season on the road in Pittsburgh over the weekend. It should be a fun one as both the Pirates and Reds look to end their seasons with some fireworks.
THANK YOU MARTY BRENNAMAN, FROM THE CURRENT GENERATION
It is easy to say that no matter what the Cincinnati Reds did on the field Thursday, the attention was directed toward Hall-of-Famer Marty Brennaman. His 46-year Reds broadcasting career drew to a close Thursday afternoon as Marty turned off his mic and put away his scorebook.
I have a short letter to a man I consider one of my idols, and someone whose respect and legacy is one that will draw my admiration for the rest of my career.
Dear Marty,
As I look around Great American Ballpark and see the adults shedding tears and smiling, it shines light on the true impact you have had on the generations who have listened to you. From my dad recalling stories about listening to your voice as a child to my physics teacher taking a minute to deviate from a lesson to praise the Big Red Machine he idolized during his youth, your life has touched so many.
I have grown up in an era where television and social media are the main channels to watch a ballgame, so you and I have not met too often. That does not mean we have not crossed paths. When I attend ballgames in downtown Cincinnati, as I walk out of the gates after a Reds win, fellow fans chant, “And this one belongs to the Reds!” Baseball fans know who coined that phrase.
As an aspiring baseball journalist, the sheer tenure you have put into your career is jaw-dropping in itself. 46 years. But through all of those seasons and each individual game, you created a story within a game that seemed to capture the listener’s mind. The smile you had in seemingly every photo I have seen of you pops from every picture. You loved your job, you loved those you worked alongside, and you loved your family.
Your legacy can never be replicated, but I will make sure to follow your path and chase the Hall of Fame standards you have set. Thank you for being an example, thank you for touching so many lives, and thank you for sharing your love for the game of baseball. This one, belongs to you.
– Jacob Benge
