The pageantry that is Reds Opening Day continues tomorrow as it has for the past 157 years.
Across our three neighboring states and America, Opening Day has always been, an “unofficial” holiday. A day to bring the family to watch America’s pastime preceded by the historic Opening Day Parade.
From the movie -“Field of Dreams” – Terence Mann perhaps said it best when he proclaimed: “The one constant throughout all the years has been baseball. People will come, people most definitely will come.”
In the Queen City of Cincinnati, come they will by the thousands to support our beloved Reds.
The tradition
The 107th parade gets underway at Noon, and you can be sure you’ll be fully entertained till 3 p.m. The 2026 Grand Marshal will be Reds broadcaster JEFF BRANTLEY who will lead the parade.
It begins at Findlay Market 1801 Race Street and will conclude at Taft Theater.
The huge crowd will then migrate to the Great American Ballpark downtown for the First Pitch at 4:10 p.m.
The Reds will host the Boston Red Sox for three including the opener. The Pittsburgh Pirates will visit for three March 30 through April 1.
Pull up a chair, let’s discuss baseball
Over the last several years, there has been discussion via the media and fans as to whether the great game of baseball is in decline. The answer lies with your opinion. For many, me included, I feel the game is evolving because of innovations to speed up the games and of course, increase fan participation.
Add in the pitch clocks, mound visit limitations, and even defensive shifts all designed to make the game more exciting and fans friendly.
Certainly, fans love a winner. A winner fills the stands and the fun begins. If you should use Reds Opening Day as a barometer – baseball is alive and well in Cincy.
Why is the game popular even today?
When you really think about it, baseball has deep roots in our American history that dates to the mid-19th century. The National League began in 1876 and the rest is in the books. Baseball’s rich history and the sense of community make it a vital part of American identity.
The love of the game
For me, it all began by listening to the Reds on radio in the mid 1940’s with the legendary Waite Hoyt calling the games. As I sat on our huge front porch, I was mesmerized with Waite’s style and stories as he was always drawing a vivid mental picture of the games via his play by play. Waite’s rain delay stories were so good, you hoped it would rain for a while.
I was given a wooden bat by a friend in 1948 when I was 10. No Little League anywhere, (it didn’t begin until 1956 ) so you would find me over on the C&O railroad tracks throwing a rock in the air and swinging as hard as I could. No, I never broke any windows.
My history and love for the great game continued when I played high school baseball in the mid1950’s. It was so much fun. I couldn’t wait till our next game.
Like millions of dads, I began coaching and managing youth leagues as our three boys were growing up and years later even co-founded a college age team that won two Kentucky AABC State Championships in1988 and 1990.
The game and a headset
My broadcasting history reflects the beginning with the calling of play by play of Little League games during the early years that spanned to decades later when I was calling play-by play of professional baseball with a Chicago Cubs minor league affiliate – the Huntington Cubs in West Virginia. Years later, back to the microphone once again teaming up with fellow Hall of Famer Keith Elkins as we called the Lexington Legends of the Kansas City Royals.
A dream come true – almost
In 1994 while calling the Voice of the Cubbies of Huntington; I became friends Chicago’s Senior Vice President – Al Goldis who from time to time was in town periodically to check on the team. I seized the opportunity to invite him onto our Cub’s broadcast – and he quickly accepted. He joined me for three innings usually as we talked baseball amid my calling of the action down on the diamond. Then, the surprise. After his time on the broadcast and the pending break, Al said he would like to see me after the game in the Clubhouse.
I had no idea what he had in mind. When I arrived, he came right to the point. He asked me If I would like to call play-by- play for Chicago’s AA team in Orlando. I couldn’t believe the question. My answer was quick and to the point commenting – ABSOLUTELY! He and I made some phone calls to set things up for the Spring of1995 when I would ostensibly become the Voice of the Orlando Cubs.
However, little did I have any indication as to what was going on at that time with Major League Baseball. To make a long story short, it happened – THE BASEBALL STRIKE OF 1994 -1995. The strike began on August 12 and was so devastating, there was no World Series marking the first time that had happened since 1904. During that down time, many changes were made throughout all baseball. Changes like Chicago’s GM and Al Goldis and others were all terminated. With the many changes throughout baseball, so went my opportunity in Orlando.
But for a short while, the dream almost came true.
Sometimes one door closes, another opens
When I was away from the diamond, my broadcasting career moved into another avenue of being around the great game that included voiceovers with the focus on baseball.
I was very honored when the late producer David E. Carter selected me to create voiceovers of a few of his award-winning baseball videos:
· THE MICKEY MANTLE – WHITEY FORD FANTASY BASEBALL CAMP
· THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BRANCH RICKEY
· ASHLAND’S FIELD OF DREAMS – A story of boys and baseball in a small city in the 1950’s (2009)
I provided the play-by-play Voice of a high school game. The video was narrated by Hall of Famer – MARTY BRENAMANN.
What’s your favorite baseball movie
I’m sure you have quite a list. So do I, here’s just a few of my favorites: Babe Ruth Story, The Pride of the Yankees, Monte Stratton Story, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Natural, and the list goes on.
Have you ever caught a foul ball?
In the thousands of games I have enjoyed, I never even came close. However, my son Joe and I were at a Sunday Doubleheader at Great American Ballpark years ago with the Reds vs the Mets sitting behind the Mets Dugout. The Met’s Batter (I can’t remember the name) fouled one high into the stands. I saw it coming, but Joe jumped up and caught it with ONE HAND! He still has that ball today.
157 years and still counting
Ever since May 4, 1869, that magical day when the Red Stockings logged their first Opening Day win over the Great Westerns of Cincinnati 45-9, the legacy that is Reds Baseball resonates as always.
Make your plans, enjoy history and the Reds Opening Day festivities tomorrow beginning with the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade at 12 Noon and the Reds hosting the Red Sox at 4:10.
If Ernie Banks was here, he would loudly proclaim: LET’S PLAY TWO!
Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.