Marty Brennaman on final game: ‘Hardest day of my life’

CINCINNATI >> A few hours before the start of his final series as a Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Marty Brennaman was pausing to collect himself at the thought of a final out now clearly in sight.

“Here I go,” he said, forcing a smile that brushed back emotions.

The 77-year-old broadcaster known for his pullno-punch descriptions and his “this one belongs to the Reds” sign-off settled in Tuesday for his last three days in the booth. After 46 years, Brennaman is retiring — and no, he won’t be coming back to the microphone again. A series against the playoff-contending Brewers will provide a truly final out.

“Thursday will be the hardest day of my life, I think,” Brennaman said, referring to the series finale. “I think that will be a tough one.”

The Reds’ voice since 1974, Brennaman originally intended to quietly retire and fade into private life after last season. He relented and agreed to a farewell season that would allow fans and teams to show their appreciation and celebrate a career with so many calls: Hank Aaron’s 714th homer that tied Babe Ruth, three World Series titles and Pete Rose’s record-setting hit No. 4,192 among the most memorable.

Along the way, he also took on baseball commissioners Cubs fans and even Reds players who simply weren’t getting the job done, employing a tell-it-like-it-is style that is slipping away along with the many voices that have been part of the game for a long time. Pittsburgh’s Steve Blass is retiring after the Reds’ game against the Pirates at PNC Park on Sunday, ending his 34-year broadcasting career.

Brennaman is proud that he’s one of eight broadcasters who have spent at least 45 years with only one big league team, something “that means more than anything in the world.” He’s been touched by the many tributes and the countless bins full of fans’ mail thanking him for his years of coming into their homes through transistor radios and car speakers.

He’s also been touched by the tributes from around the league. The Cubs gave him a metal panel from the Wrigley Field scoreboard with 46 — his number of seasons — during a visit last week, doing it low-key because some fans there still smart from his critical comments.

A’s lose Trivino for season

ANAHEIM >> Oakland Athletics reliever Lou Trivino will miss the rest of the regular season and likely the playoffs after cracking a rib falling in the shower.

Manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday he did not expect Trivino to be available in the postseason should the A’s secure a spot after the 27-year-old right-hander was injured in his Bay Area apartment last week.

Oakland will also be without right-hander Blake Treinen the rest of the season because of a hip and back injury.

Trivino was 4-6 with a 5.25 ERA in 61 games this season after posting a 2.92 ERA as a rookie. Treinen was 6-5 with a 4.91 ERA in 57 games after he had a 0.78 ERA last season.

Brennaman