The Cincinnati Reds have some holes to fill this off-season. Pitching coach Dick Pole will not return in 2010. There are question marks in the outfield and shortstop. There is also a question mark in the broadcast booth.
George Grande, television voice of the Reds for the last 17 years, announced that he is stepping away from the microphone to spend more time with his family.
Since Joe Nuxhall left the radio booth, the Reds have had a broadcast-by-committee approach to both radio and television. Grande and Chris Welsh primarily handle the TV side, with Marty Brennaman remaining a staple on radio.
Thom Brennaman and Jeff Brantley float between radio and TV, creating various broadcast pairs. Jim Kelch, voice of the Triple-A Louisville Bats, has been "called up" to do a handful of games on the radio.
Dan Hoard, voice of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, has a history in Cincinnati. He broadcasts football and basketball for the University of Cincinnati and has filled in several times for the Reds.
In my opinion, Hoard would fit in perfectly as the Reds full-time television play-by-play man.
I would like to see Marty, Thom and Brantley share duties on radio until Marty is ready to hang up his microphone.
Having listened to the same voice call Reds games my entire life, I hope that day is a long way away. It is comforting to know that Thom is there and, hopefully, willing to follow in his father's footsteps.
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