DJ: Pride aside, Marty is good as his word

CINCINNATI - Here's a bold prediction: Marty Brennaman's hair will never again be as long as it was at 10 p.m. Friday. That was when his long time stylist helped him fulfill a vow he made to Reds bench coach Chris Speier, to shave his head if the Reds won 10 games in a row.
 
That off handed promise had slipped Marty's mind but not Speier's. He reminded him of it Sunday in Colorado where the Reds did indeed win their 10th straight game. Marty knew what was next. His word being his bond, he began planning a haircut.
 
Which came to fruition with 40,829 fans looking on. Eagerly anticipating the fireworks that followed of course but Marty turned what could have been a circus into a love-fest.
 
The deal was Marty would comply in public, if fans/sponsors etc., contributed a total of $20,000 to the Reds Community Fund. The corporate community as did Reds fans, who came up with $50,000 to aid the RCF and the late Joe Nuxhall's Character Education Fund in their important work. Wow!
 
As his legendary locks were shorn, Fox Sports Ohio MC Jim Day provided a spirited play by play. But Marty provided the perfect caveat as he shed the barber's cape. He introduced likewise hairless kids from the Firefly Organization that helps kids weather the loss of their hair, as the result of serious medical issues. Dry eyes were rare, even among those watching on TV.
 
As for Marty's new look? His wife Amanda was on hand of course and if she has any clout with her man, he'll never again return to the southern senator look he — and I for that matter — sported for many years. He'll have hair again of course but in a far more contemporary configuration because Marty looks great. Younger in fact. He'll never go back. We just hope he never goes away.