CINCINNATI — The grand marshal for this year's Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will be former Reds pitcher Jeff Brantley.
Brantley, nicknamed "Cowboy" during his time with the Reds, will ring the bell to start the parade, which will be held on March 26. The parade will begin at noon and is expected to go until 3 p.m. The Opening Day game will start at 4:10 p.m., as the Reds take on the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park.
Most recently, Brantley has been a Reds broadcaster alongside legend Marty Brennaman. Earlier this year, Brantley won Ohio Sportscaster of the Year for 2025 by the National Sports Media Association — his first time winning the award.
Brantley pitched 14 seasons in in Major League Baseball, including four for the Cincinnati Reds between 1994 and 1997. He also led the National League with 44 saves for the Reds in 1996.
Brantley, an Alabama native, was drafted into the MLB in 1985, chosen by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round.
The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade signals the start of baseball season in Cincinnati each year; The parade itself has been held for over a century — it celebrated its 100th birthday back in 2019.
Here's a breakdown of the events happening during Opening Day festivities:
- 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Reds Community Fund Opening Day Block Party at The Banks
- Noon — 107th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade begins
- 2:10 p.m. — Gates open to Great American Ball Park
- 3:30 p.m. — Pregame Ceremonies begin, starting with the first pitch, which will be thrown by Bronson Arroyo this year
- 4:10 p.m. — 150th Opening Day game begins, featuring the Reds vs. the Boston Red Sox
