This One Belongs To Marty

The time has come 
For closing books and long last looks to end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
--Lulu

When Marty Brennaman called his first game as the Cincinnati Reds play-by-play announcer, I was listening. It was Opening Day, 1974. Although Opening Day is always a gala in Cincinnati, this one was extra special. The Atlanta Braves were in town and my favorite player, Braves slugger Hank Aaron, needed one home run to tie Babe Ruth's all-time record.

Because it was a school day, I wasn't allowed to go to the game. For that same reason, it would have been unusual to hear the game as well. However, a few of my friends coaxed our 7th grade science teacher, who was also our junior high baseball coach, to let us listen to the game on radio during our afternoon class.

In the first half inning of his first regular season game as a Major League Baseball announcer, Marty Brennaman called Hank Aaron's historic 714th home run.

An appropriate harbinger of what was to become a Hall of Fame career behind the microphone.

Today, as he completes his forty sixth season as the Reds announcer, Marty Brennaman will call his final game this afternoon in Cincinnati.

Marty Brennaman calls his final Reds game this afternoon after 46 seasons on the job. 📻#ThanksMarty pic.twitter.com/ncdhXy2FrX

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 26, 2019

If there is a single word that captures Marty Brennaman's style, then that word is genuine. Marty has captured the hearts of generations of Cincinnatians with his no nonsense, what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach. With no premeditation or political correctness, Marty has called it as he's seen it for listeners.

Today, Cincinnati celebrates, with a pang of sadness of course, a beloved institution who is moving on. Today, Marty, this one belongs to you.