George Grande says goodbye

FOX Sports Ohio broadcaster George Grande, the television play-by-play voice of the Cincinnati Reds for the past 17 years, announced he is opting out of the final year of his contract.  After a 45-year career in the broadcasting business, Grande has decided to conclude his current role as a full-time Reds announcer to spend more time at home.

“The last 17 years have been a wonderful ride with FOX Sports Ohio and the Reds, but I have decided to opt out of the final year of my contract to spend more time closer to home,” said Grande. “I’ve enjoyed every minute with my friends at FOX, the Reds and so many fans who have made our time in Cincinnati fantastic. Both FOX and the Reds have great leadership and direction. I fully expect to see the Reds and FOX celebrating a trip to the World Series in 2010, and I will be rooting them on!”

A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Grande has covered Major League Baseball since 1965 and has been broadcasting Major League Baseball games since 1989.

Grande anchored the first ever ESPN SportsCenter broadcast, and following a ten-year career at ESPN, he joined the broadcast team of the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals before joining FOX Sports Ohio and the Reds. In addition to being the Reds play-by-play announcer, Grande was also a broadcaster with ABC and NBC for “The Baseball Network” and has taken great pride in working with numerous local and civic organizations throughout his career.

Grande was honored by the Reds and local media in a pregame ceremony in the Great American Ball Park press box prior to yesterday’s season finale.

GG3.JPG

Members of the Reds front office, local media and FS Ohio crew filled a work room in the GABP press box to greet George.

GG2.JPG

A cake featuring one of George’s signature catch-phrases was presented and enjoyed.

GG6.JPG

GG5.JPGEveryone shared in a toast to the nicest guy in the game.

GG4.JPG

Partners in the booth for 17 years.

GG1.jpg

George’s final appearance on FS Ohio.

-JM
http://mlblogsredsintern.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/gg1-thumb-360×270-15996411.jpg

One comment

  1. greg1969

    Although I am not specifically a Reds fan, I enjoy watching baseball in general, and we do get the Reds’ games in my area. Whenever I heard Mr. Grande announcing the game, I could watch with the sound up, and actually LISTEN to the game. His knowledge and love of the game was obvious, as was his love and respect for the Reds. I genuinely enjoyed listening to his broadcasts, and I will miss him in the booth. I speak as an outsider to the Reds’ fan base, so I can only imagine that his absence from the booth will be felt even more by Reds fans. Godspeed, Mr. Grande, you will be missed!

    Reply

Leave a comment