Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman called the final game of his 46-year career with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.
“A tough day. I’ve cried three times already,” he told reporters before the start of the game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Fans at Great American Ballpark gave Brennaman a standing ovation when Cincinnati mayor John Cranley declared it Marty Brennaman Day during pregame festivities.
Brennaman, 77, has been calling Reds games since 1974 and is known for such taglines as “and this one belongs to the Reds” and “rounding third and heading for home.”
Highlights of his long career in the booth include calling three World Series clinchers by Cincinnati (1975, 1976 and 1990) as well as Hank Aaron’s 714th home run, Tom Seaver’s 1978 no-hitter and Tom Browning’s 1988 perfect game.
Brennaman received the Ford C. Frick Award in 2000, presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was inducted in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and has been named Ohio broadcaster of the year 17 times.
Brennaman never was afraid to state his feelings, including controversial criticisms of such Cincinnati stars as Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Joey Votto.