Thom Brennaman predictably parted ways with the Cincinnati Reds after a hot mic caught him using a homophobic slur two months ago. But the legacy broadcaster will be in-house for at least one day next season, when his father Marty Brennaman is inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
Reds Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for July 17-18 next year, when the 78-year-old retired play-by-play voice will be honored. Speaking with the Cincinnati Inquirer, Reds president Phil Castellini said Marty’s son, Thom Brennaman will be part of the celebration.
“The Brennamans have been such an amazing part of the Reds history,” Castellini said. “We’ll be inducting his dad (Marty) into the Reds Hall of Fame next year. You’ll definitely see Thom be a part of that ceremony.”
Castellini also acknowledged he believes the younger Brennaman is deserving of a second chance despite his previous blunder, but not with the Reds.
“He’s as good as anybody in the business, in my opinion. It was just an all around tragic situation. It’s something that shouldn’t be thought, much less said out loud. Thom knows that. We all know that,” Castellini told the Inquirer. “He knew exactly what the organization had to do and why. We were at the end of a contract year. That’s when he came to us and said, ‘I think I need to move on and repair my own damage done.’ He’s done a ton of that and is making a lot of great relationships. He’s certainly had an eye-opening, soul-searching experience of his own. You will see Thom back in a broadcast booth.
“Likely not (with the Reds),” Castellini added. “I just mean as a broadcaster because the guy can do any sport. He’s got that kind of talent. I think it’ll do him well to have some time off. But yeah, I absolutely expect that we will all see Thom somewhere again as a broadcaster of live sports.”
In addition to resigning from his role as a broadcaster with the Reds, FOX Sports also decided to remove the play-by-play voice from his slate of NFL games this season.
It’s very possible Brennaman receives a second chance down the road and it’s interesting to hear the Reds president say he believes that opportunity is deserved, just not with his team. If any organization will be tolerant enough to afford Brennaman another broadcast opportunity, one could think the team he spent 14 years with and his father spent nearly a half century with, would be at the top of the list.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
