Earlier this season, Brennaman and Reds bench coach Chris Speier were talking. Speier opined that the Reds were capable of winning 10 in a row. No way, said Brennaman. Would you shave your head if we did? asked Speier. Sure, said Brennnaman.
From July 19-29, the Reds won 10 in a row; Friday night, Brennaman pays off.
As of press time Thursday, nobody within the Reds front office had made the venue or staging of The Big Shave official. But Reds announcers Jim Kelch and Jeff Brantley talked on air during the fifth inning Thursday as though they expected that $20,000 would be raised for the Reds Community Fund, and that Brennaman would therefore get his head shaved publicly on the field – no doubt with the big event captured in all its locks-lifting splendor on the giant video board – after Friday night’s Reds game and before the fireworks at Great American Ball Park.
“Marty Marty, shaving party,” chanted Brantley.
Brantley isn’t the only Red, present or past, taking delight in this shearing.