CINCINNATI — Marty Brennaman watched over Cincinnati Reds games for 46 years, but soon his likeness will watch over Great American Ball Park for years to come.
The Cincinnati Reds announced Thursday the team will unveil a bronze sculpture of the Reds Hall of Famer on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Brennaman told WCPO the statue bearing his likeness is the biggest honor he's received.
"Number one. And people I've talked to have said 'bigger than the baseball Hall of Fame?' and I said 'yeah, and I'll tell you why,'" said Brennaman. "Because had I not been accepted here when I came in 1974 to replace Al Michaels, had I not been embraced eventually by the people in this town, this would never have happened. The baseball Hall of Fame wound never have happened. None of that stuff would have happened."
He's already seen a rough rendering of what the sculpture will look like, but joked that he'll have some suggestions for changes.
Hear Marty describe how it feels to be honored with a statue outside GABP:
Brennaman became emotional when talking about the statue, and imagining the day it'll finally be unveiled.
"I'm gonna cry," he said. "I've already started thinking about what I'm gonna say and I don't know. I don't know. It's just gonna be something, like I said, I never dreamed of, the biggest thing in my career."
The existence of the statue isn't the only thing that excites Brennaman about it, though. The bronze statue of Brennaman will be behind the radio microphone, as he was for decades, and positioned in a very significant spot.
"The location is really special," Brennaman said. "Because I'm gonna be back, recessed and right closer to the corner will be Rose and Morgan and they were my two best friends."
The Reds commissioned local artist Tom Tsuchiya to create the sculpture.
When it's done and installed, it will take up residence near the Reds front office building facing Joe Nuxhall Way, welcoming fans as they arrive at Crosley Terrace.
A dedication ceremony will be held before the Reds vs. New York Mets game on Sept. 6.
Brennaman said the statue fulfills a dream he's had since he called his last Reds game in 2019.
"The last thing I said on September 26, 2019 when I walked out of that radio booth, closed the broadcast, is I wanna remain relevant in this town after today," said Brennaman. "I guess I'm gonna be relevant."
