I'll admit, I was one of those people who cursed Steve when he took Joe's spot in the booth two years ago. I was hesitant to listen to the guy, what honest Reds fan wouldn't be? Steve stepped into the broadcast booth with very tough shoes to fill, and many (including me) questioned his enthusiasm calling our games.
I've always secretly relished the games that aren't broadcast on FSN. The baseball junkie inside me longs for those hot nights on the back porch, listening to Marty and Joe in their prime, no visual help needed.
Now I find myself waiting for Marty's two innings to be over, so I can hear Steve call the game. What a pleasure it is to hear that raw emotion again, that booming voice that tells you every time when the Reds have not made fools of themselves. Steve has really fit into a groove here in Cincy, and as much as I love the 'ol left hander, Stewart is the kind of guy our flagship station needs to build a better fanbase.