Red Ass!

This entry was posted on Apr 18 2008

Cincinnati Reds announcer, Marty Brennaman should stick to announcing the game and leave the editorial comments about fans and the other team, to himself! Mr Brennaman decided to berate the Chicago Cubs and all their fans, myself included, based on the actions of a handful of bleacher bums who decided to toss a dozen or more baseballs back onto the field, following an Adam Dunn home run, on Wednesday Night.

The reactions of a few drunken boobs is a valid reason to root against a team?

“Far and away the most obnoxious fans in baseball in this league.” - Marty Brennaman

Let me think a moment. Yep, I’m sure I’ve been called much worse. Besides, its about time we come out on top for something in baseball.

But, this coming from a man who played a big hand in nearly inducing a riot from Reds fans, 20 years ago. Following manager Pete Rose being ejected from a game in 1988 for shoving umpire Dave Pallone, a Brennaman tirade towards Pallone only helped to incite the crowd as they began pelting him with objects including radios and cigarette lighters. The barrage of debris forced Pallone to leave the field and let the other three umpires officiate the remainder of the game without him. A feat so damning on Brennaman and partner, Joe Nuxhall that NL President, Bart Giamatti requested a talk with both announcers over their role in the craziness that unfolded that night.

“This is the kind of thing quite honestly, right now, that makes you want to see this Chicago Cubs team lose.” - Marty Brennaman

For someone so apt to making stupid remarks, you should stick to calling balls and strikes and leave the finger pointing and backhanded remarks of an entire fan base to yourself.

All of that being said, I don’t want it to seem like I am trying to defend the most likely inebriated individuals in the stands, but lets be serious for a moment, I’ve seen worse displays of dissatisfaction from fans. If this is the worst you witness from announcing a game at Wrigley Field or anywhere else, consider yourself lucky. Just because you are a pompous, self-righteous idiot, who just so happens to have a soapbox to stand on, doesn’t give you the right to chastise Cubs fans, or any others for that matter. And, I don’t give a damn if you did try to backtrack the following day on Chicago sports radio. Its too late. If for no other reason than your track history, you lose all rights to criticize the fans or to retract the comments you so easily spewed the night before.