Nov. 21, 2002
Cincinnati Reds’ radio announcer Marty Brennaman highlighted the meeting of the University of Kentucky Baseball Dugout Club at Calvary Baptist Church in downtown Lexington Thursday afternoon.
The gathering of more than 70 Wildcat baseball fans, supporters and alumni enjoyed a catered lunch and listened to the Hall of Famer’s experiences in baseball and thoughts on the future of the Reds.
“It was great to have Marty (Brennaman) join us today,” Coach Keith Madison said. “Marty is a big supporter of our team and Kentucky athletics. It’s an honor to have a Hall of Fame broadcaster speak to our group to share his baseball expertise and thoughts on the game. He’s a friend of the Wildcat family and we’re glad that he took time from his off-season to be with us.”
Madison announced the 2003-04 recruiting class to the group before he handed over the program to Brennaman. Mike Breyman (Cleveland, Ohio/Rend Lake College), Billy Grace (Mishawaka, Ind./Penn), Brad Rose (Knoxville, Tenn./Walters State), John Shelby (Lexington, Ky./Tates Creek), and Eric Saffell (Bluefield, W.Va./Princeton) have signed letters of intent to attend UK and play baseball next spring for the Wildcats.
“We are very excited about this class,” Madison said. “We were able to sign five solid players that will have immediate impacts on our team next season. (Mike ) Breyman will be available in January and will likely start for us. His natural power to all fields will make us a better team offensively in 2003.”
The UK Baseball Dugout Club is a group open to anyone wishing to support the Wildcat baseball program. Enjoyable and informative luncheons with coaches, players and special guest speakers throughout the season as well as attractive UK apparel are just some of the benefits involved with the Dugout Club.
For more information on the UK Dugout Club, please call UK assistant coach Cory Whitby at (859) 257-8988. Season tickets are also on sale now! Call Matt DiLorenzo at (859) 257-7382 to reserve your seats for the 2003 baseball season.
Brennaman Bio
Reds’ radio announcer Marty Brennaman received the Ford C. Frick Award on July 23, 2000, in ceremonies at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The Award is presented each year by the Hall of Fame to a broadcaster “for major contributions to the game of baseball.”Brennaman and Red Barber (WSAI, 1934-38) are the only Reds’ announcers ever to receive the Hall of Fame’s prestigious broadcasting award.The 2002 season will be Brennaman’s 38th as a broadcaster. He joined the Reds’ radio team in 1974 and for the past 28 seasons has shared the 700 WLW Radio booth with Reds’ Hall of Fame pitcher Joe Nuxhall. In 1989 he shared the Reds’ television booth with son, Thom, who currently serves as the broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks and for FOX’s national baseball network.Brennaman has been named Ohio Sportscaster of the Year 12 times, most recently in 1998. He won the Virginia Sportscaster of the Year Award four times while broadcasting basketball games for the American Basketball Association’s Virginia Squires, baseball games for the New York Mets’ Class-AAA affiliate in Norfolk and football games for both Virginia Tech and William and Mary.He also has broadcast games during the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament, including 15 regional tournaments and seven Final Fours.Brennaman and his wife, Sherri, live in Cincinnati. In addition to son Thom, they have two daughters, Dawn and Ashley.
